Cardinals Receive Big Boost Across Week 4 NFL Power Rankings
The Arizona Cardinals got their first win of the season in epic 28-16 fashion over the Dallas Cowboys last week, and numerous outlets gave the team a nice boost in their Week 4 power rankings after mostly having them at 32 or 31 the previous week:
NFL.com: No. 25
Eric Edholm: "The time is nigh for Drew Petzing to get some shine. A first-year offensive coordinator, Petzing has shown creativity and purpose in his game plans, especially early in contests during the scripted portions. That was clear against the Commanders and Giants, but it really became obvious against a Cowboys defense that had dominated its first two opponents. Joshua Dobbs and the read-option game neutralized Dallas’ pass rush early on and put the 'Boys on their heels.
"Dobbs has held up well and made the most of his chance as the starter, while players such as James Conner and Rondale Moore look reborn. This team has been a lot better than I imagined it would be early, so credit where it’s due: Jonathan Gannon is off to a solid start."
Bleacher Report: No. 28
"The Cardinals were expected by many (including our analysts) to be among the NFL's worst teams in 2023. Maybe the worst. But the team has exceeded expectations, largely because Dobbs has been a surprisingly adequate fill-in for Murray.
"The Cardinals might not be headed for the postseason, but they aren't going to be the easy out that so many expected them to be without their starting quarterback."
The Athletic: No. 27
QB confidence rating: 6
Josh Kendall: "The Cardinals traded a fifth-round pick to the Browns for Joshua Dobbs on Aug. 24, and he’s been just fine. Arizona isn’t asking much. His 82 attempts are 30th among starters, but he’s completing 72 percent of those passes, which ranks fourth in the league. Dobbs is just a placeholder for whomever Arizona drafts next year, but he’s a serviceable one."
ESPN: No. 25
Biggest issue on offense: Second-half production
Josh Weinfuss: "The Cardinals have scored just 18 points in six second-half quarters this season, leading to a minus-29 second-half point margin. Just two touchdowns in the second half, compared to four in the first, have cost them wins in their first two games. Arizona can't seem to move to the ball after halftime, either. It's averaging 3.6 yards per carry in the second half against 7.1 in the first. Should Arizona figure out a way to recreate its first-half productivity after the break, it'll defy expectations this season and continue to win games."
