NFC West Power Rankings: Week Eight

1 – Arizona Cardinals, 6-2 (Last week: 1)

Nov 1, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) lines up for the snap from center Lyle Sendlein (63) against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Browns 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, the first half looked bad for the Arizona Cardinals. Really bad. The Cleveland Browns held a 20-7 lead as the Cardinals took their last possession of the half. Chandler Catanzaro kicked a field goal as time expired in the first half to get the Cardinals back on track.

The offense really picked up in the second half. Palmer threw three touchdowns, including one for 60 yards to Michael Floyd, as the Cardinals scored 24 second-half points and came away with a 34-20 win, improving to 6-2 on the season.

Palmer is clearly the best quarterback in the division, bar none. On Sunday, he completed 23 of 38 passes for 374 yards and four touchdowns against the Browns. He’s tied with Tom Brady with 20 touchdown passes, the most in the NFL. He leads the division with a 10:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, a 110.2 passer rating, and 2,386 yards.

It also helps that he’s got a great group of receivers to work with. Five receivers have double-digit catches, led by Larry Fitzgerald‘ 55 and John Brown‘s 37. Six players have caught at least two touchdowns, including second-year tight end Troy Niklas, who has two touchdowns among his three catches.

Next: 49ers' Season From Hell Only Half Over

Running back Chris Johnson continued his comeback against the Browns, surpassing 100 yards for the second straight week, and for the fifth this this year. When the Cardinals’ offense is firing on all cylinders, it’s the best in the NFC West, and it’s really not even close.

The Cardinals head into their bye week with a 1.5 game lead over the St. Louis Rams, while riding a two-game win streak. After the week of rest, the Cardinals head to Seattle for a matchup with the Seahawks, looking to prove they truly are the head of the NFC West.