NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Cardinals Keep Sliding, But McBride and Wilson Shine Amid the Struggles
Week 14 is officially in the books, and with it comes another shift in the NFL power rankings. For the Arizona Cardinals, it's another week, another loss-and another step down the rankings ladder.
After a 45-17 blowout at home against the Los Angeles Rams, Arizona has now dropped five straight and 10 of its last 11. That kind of skid doesn’t just hurt morale-it moves you down the pecking order.
Cardinals Drop Again, Now Sitting at No. 23
Arizona slips one spot this week, from No. 22 to No. 23 in the latest NFL power rankings. That may not sound like much, but it’s a reflection of a team that’s spiraling, especially after giving up 35 unanswered points to a division rival on their own turf.
The defense continues to be a major liability. The Cardinals have now allowed 27 or more points in six of their last eight games.
That’s not just a bad stretch-it’s a pattern. Whether it’s miscommunication in the secondary, lack of pressure up front, or just poor tackling, Arizona’s defense hasn’t been able to get off the field or keep games competitive.
Offense Stuck in Neutral Despite Brissett’s Presence
There’s been some buzz around the offense looking more competent since Jacoby Brissett took over under center, but the numbers tell a different story. The Cardinals have scored exactly 17 points in three straight games. That’s not going to win you many matchups in today’s NFL, especially when the defense is giving up nearly 30 a game.
Brissett has brought a sense of calm and veteran leadership, but the production just hasn’t followed. Drives stall, red zone trips don’t end in touchdowns, and explosive plays are few and far between.
Silver Linings in the Desert: McBride and Wilson Emerging
Still, not everything is doom and gloom in Arizona. Tight end Trey McBride continues to be a bright spot.
If he hauls in five more catches this coming Sunday, he’ll set the NFL record for most consecutive five-reception games by a tight end (16). That’s elite territory and a testament to how central he’s become in this offense.
Then there’s Michael Wilson. With Marvin Harrison Jr. sidelined, Wilson has stepped up in a big way.
On Sunday, he posted 11 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns-a breakout performance that highlights his potential as a true No. 1 option. Over the last three games in Harrison’s absence, Wilson has racked up 36 catches for 445 yards and two scores.
That’s more than half of his season production in just three outings.
The only downside? Two of those three games came in blowout losses. So while Wilson is proving he can produce, it’s not yet translating into wins.
Looking Up at the NFC West
The Cardinals remain firmly at the bottom of the NFC West. The Rams, fresh off their dismantling of Arizona, are now the top-ranked team in the division.
The Seahawks sit at No. 3, and the 49ers-despite some recent inconsistencies-are still a top-10 squad at No. 10.
That puts Arizona well behind the rest of the pack, with little hope of catching up this season.
Final Thoughts
There’s no sugarcoating it: the Cardinals are struggling. The defense can’t get stops, the offense isn’t scoring, and the losses are piling up.
But amid the wreckage, players like McBride and Wilson are giving fans something to watch for-something to build on. And in a season that’s quickly becoming about development and evaluation, those individual bright spots matter.
Arizona may be sliding in the rankings, but if this team can find a way to build around its emerging playmakers, the foundation for the future might already be in place.