Power Rankings: Cardinals climbing up in pecking order

Updated Oct. 14

Don't shake your head to try and clear your eyes. It is as real as the financial crisis. We're talking about the Arizona Cardinals sitting in the top 10 of the CBSSports.com Power Rankings.

Believe it.

That includes you, Mark Swanson (my skeptical boss who is a long-suffering Cardinals fan).

The Cardinals are for real, which is why they are No. 9 in the rankings. The past two weeks showed us that they are the team to beat in the NFC West. Two Sundays ago they dominated the Bills, Buffalo's only loss, and then beat the Dallas Cowboys this past Sunday in a wacky and wild game which actually wasn't as close as it looked.

The Cardinals have a two-game lead in the NFC West. They haven't had a two-game lead in a division since they moved to Arizona in 1988.

For the past three years, four if you count this one, I've picked the Cardinals to win the NFC West. I've been wrong. And it has led to an endless stream of ripping from my co-workers.

"They're the same old Cardinals," they tell me.

No, they are not.

This Cardinals team can score with a high-octane passing game. Kurt Warner can make all the throws and receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin make the best duo in football. The offensive line has developed into a quality five.

But the biggest difference is with the defense. They can pressure the quarterback. The Cowboys have one of the best offensive lines in football, but on Sunday the Cardinals got after Tony Romo, eventually breaking his pinkie in overtime.

Young talent is fun to watch as it grows. It can be so unpredictable at times, like when the New York Jets lit up the Arizona secondary in that blowout loss three weeks ago, jumping to a 34-0 lead. But when it comes together, which it appears to be doing, look out.

That Cardinals defense has young, fast, aggressive players in their fourth, fifth and sixth seasons that need to start getting some much-deserved attention. I pimped Adrian Wilson as a star long before he made it to Hawaii, and he has continued playing at a high level when he's not being bothered by injuries.

Poll Are the Cardinals for real?   33%  No: They are the CARDINALS     67%  Yes: They will win the NFC West     Total Votes: 29546

Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, who can also play end, is another young player moving up on the star pecking order. The defense is deep, too. They can run a bunch of players at you in their front seven, which keeps them fresh and keeps the opposing quarterback jumping.

They will stay in the top 10 for another week, too since they are off this week. That takes us to two Sundays from now. That's when they hit the road to play the Carolina Panthers, giving Cardinals fans another chance for doubt.

Arizona is 3-8 on the road under second-year coach Ken Whisenhunt, including two road losses this season. The last time they played in somebody else's stadium, the Jets embarrassed them in that first half.

Same old Cardinals, they said.

They're not. Even my boss has to believe that now.

The Power Rankings through Week 6:

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Colts · Trends	1
	Do they rest or play on? That is the question. If they're smart, they'll rest. The games don't mean anything. Health does.
	2	Saints · Trends	2
	The magic number is two to clinch home-field in the NFC playoffs. The defense hasn't played well without its starting corners.
	3	Vikings · Trends	3
	They bounced back in nice fashion from that disaster in Arizona and can clinch the division this week with a victory. They need help to catch the Saints.
	4	Chargers · Trends	5
	In usual Norv Turner fashion, the Chargers have turned it on after a slow start. They've won eight consecutive games. If they beat the Bengals this week, they will be getting the second seed.
	5	Eagles · Trends	6
	This is a team that can really score now. What will they be like when they have all the weapons on offense? Watch out for them come playoff time.
	6	Bengals · Trends	4
	I just don't think that passing game is close to being right. They have to get it going before the playoffs.
	7	Packers · Trends	10
	They have a playoff look about them now. That defense could help propel them to a run come playoff time.
	8	Cardinals · Trends	8
	Inconsistency showed up again Monday night in their loss to the 49ers. Why does that always happen with this team?
	9	Cowboys · Trends	7
	They head to New Orleans, trying to snap a two-game skid. Good luck against that team in that building.
	10	Broncos · Trends	9
	They get a big boost by a somewhat soft schedule down the stretch. Based on their final three games, they should be a playoff team.
	11	Patriots · Trends	11
	They just seem off, even when they win. And now they're in a race for the division title with Miami and the Jets. They can't afford a stumble.
	12	Ravens · Trends	16
	The schedule is favorable down the stretch, but there is no room for error. The key game will come in two weeks at Pittsburgh.
	13	Dolphins · Trends	17
	Is there any doubt that this is Chad Henne's team now? He will decide whether they are a playoff team or not.
	14	Giants · Trends	12
	It's the defense. They can't overcome their struggles on that side of the ball. Is a new coordinator coming?
	15	Jaguars · Trends	13
	Their playoff chances pretty much come down to beating Indianapolis on Thursday. We know that won't be easy.
	16	Jets · Trends	18
	They have a tough closing schedule, but helping might be the Colts clinching the No. 1 seed and the Bengals maybe playing for nothing in the final week.
	17	Steelers · Trends	14
	They're not officially out, but they might want to start vacation planning a little earlier than normal. Mike Tomlin has not done a good job with this team.
	18	Titans · Trends	19
	They play a playoff game this week against Miami. Winner stays alive. Loser is in big trouble.
	19	Falcons · Trends	15
	They've just had way too many injuries, but they played a heck of a game against the Saints. They'll fight this week against the Jets.
	20	Texans · Trends	20
	The playoffs are not done yet. What they did against the Seahawks is what we've come to expect from this team.
	21	Seahawks · Trends	21
	Their trip to Houston this past Sunday was disgusting. The defense can't stop anybody.
	22	49ers · Trends	22
	They still have playoff hope -- slim as it may be -- but the good thing is they are starting to find out about Alex Smith. He might be a keeper.
	23	Bills · Trends	23
	They looked like a playoff team against the Chiefs. Of course, it was against the Chiefs.
	24	Panthers · Trends	24
	It looks like the next three games will be the last for John Fox in Carolina. Who's next as coach?
	25	Bears · Trends	25
	They're officially eliminated from playoff contention, which will bring even more scrutiny on Jay Cutler. Is Lovie Smith safe?
	26	Raiders · Trends	26
	Are they really that different a team when Bruce Gradkowski isn't in the game? It sure looks like it.
	27	Redskins · Trends	27
	You have to like the way they're still fighting. Jason Campbell has made strides as a passer. They need to keep him.
	28	Chiefs · Trends	28
	Matt Cassel isn't playing well right now. And that's being kind. Do they make a change? They should.
	29	Lions · Trends	29
	They pulled a no-show in Baltimore last week, but that's what young teams can do late in the season when they are done. It'll be interesting to see if Jim Schwartz can get his team to respond.
	30	Rams · Trends	30
	They're down to their third quarterback. Has this been a trying season for first-year coach Steve Spagnuolo or what?
	31	Buccaneers · Trends	31
	It's getting worse by the week. General manager Mark Dominik has a lot of work to do this offseason.
	32	Browns · Trends	32
	Beating the Steelers might be what keeps Eric Mangini in his job. Can they win two in a row?