Realistic 8th Ranked Cardinals NFL Power Rankings

[BritCard]

Dudes in here defending division rivals rosters harder than they ever defend our own.

Cards have a QB who should be in his prime years, 3 years of continuity of coaching and scheme, a vastly improved roster and division rivals with worse rosters, changes at QB or changes of scheme.

We should win the division. We SHOULD have won the division last year but we choked after the bye week. We have a far superior roster in both talent and experience than we had last year.

The Rams will be good, I have no doubt, but we should have beat the Rams twice last year and we are now a better roster.

We absolutely should win the division and that should be fans expectations.

 

[DVontel]

Any clue why this 2025 guy came in angry

 

[DVontel]

Dudes in here defending division rivals rosters harder than they ever defend our own.

I just think that’s being realistic instead of being bias.

Rams are the king of the hill until someone knocks them off. Hopefully, that will be us.

 

[BritCard]

I just think that’s being realistic instead of being bias.

Rams are the king of the hill until someone knocks them off. Hopefully, that will be us.

I think this is the opposite of bias. Homerism would be cutting them some slack.

I'm being realistic. We stomped a fully healthy Rams at home and should have beat them when they were on form at the coliseum if not for a misplaced pass in the dying seconds. I'll never underestimate McVay, I think he's the best coach in the division, but I don't think they got better in the offseason other than at nose tackle (depending if you see much difference between Adams and Kupp) and all their draft picks are projected to be depth.

They will likely be good, but we should expect the Cards to be good too and pushing for the division. It's time, no more excuses.

 

[DVontel]

We stomped a fully healthy Rams at home

I’m like 80% sure Puka didn’t even play that game. Not sure if it changes the outcome all that much, but I’m pretty sure this isn’t the truth. Hell, I actually think they were missing a few of their starting OL as well.

but I don't think they got better in the offseason other than at nose tackle (depending if you see much difference between Adams and Kupp) and all their draft picks are projected to be depth.

I’m at a loss for words on how you don’t think so. They fixed their big issue with run defense & Adams at his older age is still much better than Kupp has been. They also seem to hit their drafts out of the park recently. You’re showing homerism otherwise.

They will likely be good, but we should expect the Cards to be good too and pushing for the division. It's time, no more excuses.

That’s not what you initially said. You said we should outright win the division. We should not be until we actually show it otherwise.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Dudes in here defending division rivals rosters harder than they ever defend our own.

Cards have a QB who should be in his prime years, 3 years of continuity of coaching and scheme, a vastly improved roster and division rivals with worse rosters, changes at QB or changes of scheme.

We should win the division. We SHOULD have won the division last year but we choked after the bye week. We have a far superior roster in both talent and experience than we had last year.

The Rams will be good, I have no doubt, but we should have beat the Rams twice last year and we are now a better roster.

We absolutely should win the division and that should be fans expectations.

While I 100% understand those propping up other division opponents, I agree, we SHOULD win the division. Anything less is failure imo.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I’m like 80% sure Puka didn’t even play that game. Not sure if it changes the outcome all that much, but I’m pretty sure this isn’t the truth. Hell, I actually think they were missing a few of their starting OL as well.

I’m at a loss for words on how you don’t think so. They fixed their big issue with run defense & Adams at his older age is still much better than Kupp has been. They also seem to hit their drafts out of the park recently. You’re showing homerism otherwise.


That’s not what you initially said. You said we should outright win the division. We should not be until we actually show it otherwise.

I think it’s reasonable for someone to state we should win the division while also recognizing you have to knock off the rams to do so. Of course that “should” is all on paper and driven by massive amounts of conjecture (how much gas does Calais still have in tank, will MHJ take step forward, will they effectively fill right guard, do the rookies have impact expected, can Kyler not shrivel, etc).

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Dudes in here defending division rivals rosters harder than they ever defend our own.

It's called objectivity - if you practiced it more often vs. mostly kool-aid glasses, you'd likely have more credibility.

 

[BirdGangThing]

Dudes in here defending division rivals rosters harder than they ever defend our own.

dudes in here defending a divisional title we haven't won yet - i think we're going to win the division too but i don't need to cause no division - but back to divisions

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[MadCardDisease]

A bit off from Power Rankings but I will throw it in here:

NFL bandwagons to hop on in 2025: Patriots, Bears, Cardinals ooze intrigue; Cam Ward offers thrill ride

Cardinals one of three teams listed and a Bandwagon to hop on this season:

The Jonathan Gannon era got off to an awkward start in Arizona, with the head coach going viral for cringey sound effects and a mockable motivational speech, but the Cardinals have taken true strides during his first two years on the job, finishing just below .500 last season. Fronting a coaching staff dotted with young up-and-comers, including OC Drew Petzing and DC Nick Rallis, Gannon has this organization on the rise. GM Monti Ossenfort significantly upgraded the defensive roster this offseason via free agency (Josh Sweat, Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson) and the draft (Walter Nolen, Will Johnson). With respect to the offense? Well, therein lies the biggest question with this burgeoning bandwagon:

Is Kyler Murray a true franchise quarterback?

A former No. 1 overall pick, Murray already signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension. Nevertheless, he still leaves much to be desired. Boasting explosive traits, the 27-year-old has the ability to take over games, but the consistency just isn’t there on a weekly basis. He tends to disappear at times, which isn't ideal at the game's most important position. If Murray can take a real step forward in Year 7, the Cardinals should hit the playoffs for just the second time in 10 seasons.

 

[kerouac9]

A bit off from Power Rankings but I will throw it in here:

NFL bandwagons to hop on in 2025: Patriots, Bears, Cardinals ooze intrigue; Cam Ward offers thrill ride

Cardinals one of three teams listed and a Bandwagon to hop on this season:

A lot of people are heating up the Cards right now. It's unfortunate the Chargers made the playoffs last season, or they'd be the absolute darlings of the "year too early" crowd.

The Bears were probably that team last year. Who are the other candidates for preseason darling?

 

[DVontel]

The Bears were probably that team last year. Who are the other candidates for preseason darling?

Bears again lol


Panthers

 

[Mulli]

Bears again lol


Panthers

And this time it is for real!!

 

[MadCardDisease]

Who are the other candidates for preseason darling?

Raiders?

Got Pete to come out of retirement and be their HC. He brought his QB from Seattle in Geno Smith. Their first two selections in the draft were from offensive Skill Positions to pair with Bowers from last season. Plus you have the Raiders brand.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

And this time it is for real!!

They're real, and they're fabulous!

 

[kerouac9]

Raiders?

Got Pete to come out of retirement and be their HC. He brought his QB from Seattle in Geno Smith. Their first two selections in the draft were from offensive Skill Positions to pair with Bowers from last season. Plus you have the Raiders brand.

Yeah but they have to pass two 2024 playoff teams and the AFC Champion to make waves.

I do think that sportswriters really want the Raiders to be relevant again.

Maybe the Jags. Hot young coach, QB ready to make good, ballsy draft-day trade, maybe the tools for a solid defense. Their defense was so stinky last year.

 

[Outerlimits]

Cardinals shouldn't be anywhere near top 10 in power rankings until they can actually win important games during the final 1/3 of the season.

Even if they are 7-1 after 8 games I would park them at #11 until they are winning games in December.

 

[CardNots]

Cardinals shouldn't be anywhere near top 10 in power rankings until they can actually win important games during the final 1/3 of the season.

Even if they are 7-1 after 8 games I would park them at #11 until they are winning games in December.

I would luv a 7-1 ride!

 

[kerouac9]

I would luv a 7-1 ride!

You'll take a 6-4 start and love it.

 

[HairZach]

The problem with the Rams it they have one of the youngest and most talented defenses in the league. Jared Verse and Fiske are going to be a problem for a long time. Puka is a top 5 receiver in the league and Adams is still better than anyone we have at WR. People underestimate how massive an upgrade going from Kupp to Adams is, Kupp was completely washed last year. If Stafford stays healthy they're a top 3 NFC team.

I think we can compete, but its not a fight we're favored to win.

 

[BritCard]

I’m like 80% sure Puka didn’t even play that game. Not sure if it changes the outcome all that much, but I’m pretty sure this isn’t the truth. Hell, I actually think they were missing a few of their starting OL as well.

You're right, he didn't.

I’m at a loss for words on how you don’t think so. They fixed their big issue with run defense & Adams at his older age is still much better than Kupp has been. They also seem to hit their drafts out of the park recently. You’re showing homerism otherwise.

Come on man. I like Poona but he's on his 4th team in 4 years and didn't earn more than $2.25m the last 2 years. He didn't "fix" their run defense. He will help, but he's one guy.

That’s not what you initially said. You said we should outright win the division. We should not be until we actually show it otherwise.

We should win it. The Rams should be a strong challenge but the Rams being good is no excuse for us not being as good or better. The roster is good enough.

 

[BritCard]

It's called objectivity - if you practiced it more often vs. mostly kool-aid glasses, you'd likely have more credibility.

We are objectively better by far than last year. We improved more than any team in the division. We should and would have won the division last year had Kyler not laid an egg after the bye week.

This isn't kool aid, this is holding them to account. No more excuses. Certainly no more excuses for Kyler.

 

[BritCard]

Raiders?

Got Pete to come out of retirement and be their HC. He brought his QB from Seattle in Geno Smith. Their first two selections in the draft were from offensive Skill Positions to pair with Bowers from last season. Plus you have the Raiders brand.

Raiders is a good one, but that's a tough division at the moment. I fancy the Raiders to be much better, but better than the Chiefs and Broncos? I'm not sure. Not even sure on the Chargers.

 

[daves]

The problem is when. Kyler is elite in garbage time and when were up 2 scores but sucks when the pressure is on.

Stafford is nails when it's crunch time.

That certainly matches my perception, and is reflected in their respective QBRs, which takes into account game situations and is supposed to reward more "clutch" play and devalue garbage-time stats:

Stafford's QBR the last three years: 87.4, 92.5, 93.7.
Murray's QBR the last three years: 53.7, 47.2, 66.5.

 

[DVontel]

Come on man. I like Poona but he's on his 4th team in 4 years and didn't earn more than $2.25m the last 2 years. He didn't "fix" their run defense. He will help, but he's one guy.

I mean, he is still a proven run stuffer, something LA lacked badly last season. He will help a lot.

We should win it. The Rams should be a strong challenge but the Rams being good is no excuse for us not being as good or better. The roster is good enough.

You’re being a full out homer claiming logical reasoning as excuses. History has shown they have the better GM, HC, QB, & overall team. Until we actually show it, there is no ifs, ands, or buts, about who should win the division.