NFC West Power Rankings, Week Two
1 – Arizona Cardinals (Last week – 3)
Sep 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palme (3) calls a play during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The Cardinals were one of the three NFC West teams to come away victorious in week one, but in the second week, they were the only ones to claim a win.
Carson Palmer has shown no ill effects from his ACL tear last season, and while he only threw for 185 yards, he did rack up four scoring throws. He completed 17 of his 24 attempts, over 70 percent, and was the leader of week two’s highest scoring offense, as the Cardinals put up 48 points to blow out the Chicago Bears, who are the middle of a bunch of disarray.
Rumors of Larry Fitzgerald‘s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Fitzgerald piled up 112 yards on eight catches, and scored three times. In his 172nd game, Fitzgerald grabbed three scoring passes for the first time in his career. Among a group of talented, young receivers, Fitzgerald is still the leader of that pack.
The Cardinals’ defense wasn’t as stout as we’ve come to expect, as they gave up 335 yards to Chicago. They did grab two interceptions (one each from Jay Cutler and Jimmy Clausen), and forced three fumbles, although none were recovered for Arizona. With an offense that seems as capable as Arizona’s has shown to be, they should be able to get away with that more often than not.
It really makes one wonder what the Cards could have done in the playoffs last season if Palmer were healthy and running the show, instead of Ryan Lindley. If they can stay healthy and on the right track, they might show everyone this year.