NFC West Power Rankings: Week Seven
1 – Arizona Cardinals, 5-2 (Last Week: 1)
Oct 26, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals strong safety Tony Jefferson (22) celebrates after making an interception as free safety Rashad Johnson (26) looks on during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
After a quite embarrassing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and their third-string quarterback Landry Jones last week, the Arizona Cardinals bounced back by handing the Baltimore Ravens their sixth loss by one possession this year on Monday Night Football.
Quarterback Carson Palmer was workman-like, putting his first multi-interception game of the season behind him. Against Baltimore, he completed 20 of his 29 attempts for 275 yards, and also threw a pair of touchdowns. With a strong line in front of him and a great group of receivers to work with, the former Heisman Trophy winner is enjoying one of his finest seasons at age 35.
Running back Chris Johnson is beginning to look a bit like CJ2K again, as he cracked 100 yards for the third time this season. He scored from 26 yards out in the first quarter, and gained 62 yards when he landed on top of a defender on a tackle attempt, then got up and ran because he never touched the ground. Johnson is on pace for his seventh 1,000-yard season, and first not in a Tennessee Titans’ uniform.
The Cardinals’ defense held the Ravens’ offense under 300 total yards, and had two takeaways, including a Tony Jefferson interception of Joe Flacco in the endzone to seal the game with under a minute left. As a unit, they also totaled three sacks, including the first of the year for 15-year NFL veteran Dwight Freeney.
Next in the schedule for the Cardinals is the Cleveland Browns. Their division rivals, the Rams, showed a nice blueprint for beating the Browns last week, but with Palmer slinging the ball, the Cardinals should have a more well-rounded attack.