The Arizona Cardinals got a little lift in USA TODAY’s latest NFL power rankings, and it came on the back of a win that gave the team and its fan base a jolt.
After beating the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, the Cardinals climbed three spots, moving from No. 26 to No. 23 in Nate Davis’ rankings. The change reflects a team that is still far from the league’s elite, but no longer sitting in the bottom tier with the true disaster zones.
Gardner Minshew’s arrival as the new starting quarterback has added some life to the building, and Sunday’s upset only turned up the volume. As DL L.J.
Collier put it after the win: "If you guys have ever seen 'Napoleon Dynamite,' I've always known (Gardner Minshew) could throw a pigskin a quarter mile," Collier said after Sunday's upset of the Cowboys. " Minshew Magic is real."
Nothing further to add here about the Cards' new QB1.
Even with the jump, 23rd is still 23rd. The Cardinals are in that awkward middle ground: better than the teams that look broken, but still stuck among the clubs that can flash on a given Sunday and then disappear the next week. Their record leaves them two games out of the playoff picture, yet five spots back in the standings, and they’re not positioned for a top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL draft either.
That’s why the next stretch matters. Arizona is heading into a three-game run against the Seattle Seahawks, LA Rams and Kansas City Chiefs, a stretch that should say plenty about whether this recent surge is the start of something real or just a brief spike before the slide back down.
In the NFC West and Week 9 rankings, the San Francisco 49ers stayed at No. 1 while on their bye in Week 8. The Seahawks dropped from No. 4 to No. 9, the Rams moved from No. 13 to No. 12, and the Cardinals made their move from No. 26 to No. 23.
In Other News...
Cardinals Deadline Approach Is Raising Big Questions About This Roster
As the deadline nears, the Cardinals are still sorting through what kind of roster they want to be for the stretch run, and the conversation around them has only gotten louder. Arizona has already been linked to a quarterback move with Jacoby Brissett expected to be finalized soon, while head coach Mike LaFleur also said running back James Conner will not return this week, leaving the offense with more short-term uncertainty than the team would like.
The bigger question is what Arizona does with its veteran talent on the other side of the ball. The Cardinals have been seeking significant value for edge rusher Josh Sweat, and league chatter has also kept safety Budda Baker in the trade conversation as Tuesday approaches, a sign that this front office may still be weighing whether to add around the margins or take a harder look at the long-term picture. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Face A Josh Sweat Decision That Still Isnt Simple
Josh Sweat has become one of the more interesting names to watch as the NFL trade deadline approaches, but the buzz around the Cardinals pass-rusher has not changed the basic outlook much. Arizona has every reason to treat him as part of its longer-term plans, and the contract situation only makes a move more complicated for a team that values edge help.
Even with rumors circulating, the sense around the league is that the Cardinals are not eager to deal him unless the return is substantial enough to justify it. Sweats future still feels tied to Arizona, and unless the right kind of offer materializes, this looks like one of those deadline stories that may end with the player staying put and the team keeping its pass rush intact. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Head To Seattle Already Facing A Costly Lineup Problem
The Cardinals head into their Week 9 trip to Seattle already shorthanded, with running back Bam Knight, tackle Jayden Williams and guard Jon Gaines all ruled out because of injuries. Mike LaFleur said none of the three practiced during the week, leaving Arizona to sort through its depth before the official injury report comes out after practice and to keep an eye on a few other banged-up players as well.
It is the kind of availability issue that can shape a game plan before kickoff, especially on the road against a division opponent. Seattle will be starting Drew Lock at quarterback in place of the injured Sam Darnold, but Arizona still has to piece together its own lineup on both sides of the ball, and the final answers up front could matter just as much as anything the Seahawks do under center. [Read more 🡒]