Power Rankings: Defense gives Cardinals extra lift

Updated Oct. 27

They call it the Super Bowl crash, the loser of the game falling much harder than the winner the following season.

Many thought it would happen again this season to the Super loser, the Arizona Cardinals -- the depression of getting so close, only to lose, somehow ruining the next season.

When the Cardinals lost their home opener to the San Francisco 49ers, the vultures circled like they were road kill, ready to pick the carcass bare.

Guess this bird wasn't dead after all.

The Cardinals went to New York and beat the Giants on Sunday night, putting Arizona at 3-0 on the road this season and allowing it to take over the top spot in the NFC West.

The interesting thing is that this Cardinals team is doing it a different way than we've come to expect. It is winning with defense.

The team that went to the Super Bowl last year was a high-flying offensive show that featured Kurt Warner throwing to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The defense was that other side of the ball.

Now the Cardinals are tied for seventh in the league in points allowed, giving up 18.2 per game. The key? Stopping the run. Arizona is first against the run, with teams averaging 67.5 yards per game.

That number could be misleading because the Cardinals have been way ahead in three games, forcing the opposition to pass in scramble mode, so the per-carry average is the important number. Arizona tops that category as well, giving up 3.0 yards per rush.

The Cardinals are actually ranked higher in scoring defense than offense, which is 16th at 22.7 points per game.

Some might wonder why, but there's a very good reason for the improved defense. Maybe you say it's the change in coordinators, from Clancy Pendergast to Billy Davis.

I say it's talent.

The crack scouting staff has stockpiled talent on the defensive side, young talent that is now coming into its own. Players like third-year defensive tackle Alan Branch -- who had two sacks against the Giants -- and defensive end Calais Campbell and safety Antrel Rolle. They join established stars in Darnell Dockett and Adrian Wilson to form a heck of a young group.

The Cardinals, thanks to the victory over the Giants, move up into the top 10 of our CBSSports.com Power Rankings to the No. 9 spot.

When I talked with Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt last week, we talked about the Super hangover. He said he didn't really think during the offseason that it would be an issue. Early on, he wasn't so sure it wasn't.

"I told them they had to deal better with the expectations," Whisenhunt said.

Well, here they come again. Let's see how they do.

The Power Rankings after Week 7:

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Saints · Trends	4
	What is hidden about the Saints is that there are a lot of good, young players on their roster. I can't imagine them taking a big step back.
	2	Colts · Trends	1
	Let's not forget they get Anthony Gonzalez back next year, which will make the offense better. They are the team to beat in the AFC again.
	3	Vikings · Trends	5
	After blowing a chance to win the NFC title game in regulation, it must have killed the Vikings to see the Saints win the Super Bowl. Now Minnesota has to play the waiting game with Brett Favre.
	4	Chargers · Trends	2
	They have a lot of contracts that come up, and they will have to make some tough decisions. There is still a lot of talent on this team, but they have to get over the hump at some point. Losing to the Jets was a big upset.
	5	Cowboys · Trends	3
	Wade Phillips comes back for another year, and he has to get this team past the first round of the playoffs again. Tony Romo is in the same situation.
	6	Eagles · Trends	6
	Can we stop the Donovan McNabb trade talk? He will be back, and he should be back. Will Brian Westbrook?
	7	Jets · Trends	11
	The next step will be letting Mark Sanchez do more. They have to throw it better in 2010. And they will.
	8	Packers · Trends	7
	Aaron Rodgers showed he's a star in the making this season. That will make Green Bay a Super threat in 2010.
	9	Bengals · Trends	8
	They made big strides to win the division, but they have to improve the passing game. That means getting speed help outside.
	10	Ravens · Trends	12
	It's time for Joe Flacco and that passing game to take a big step forward. You have to get big chunks of yardage to win in this league.
	11	Patriots · Trends	10
	Tom Brady will be a year removed from his knee injury, which means he will be better. The key for the Patriots will be improving their pass rush.
	12	Cardinals · Trends	9
	Matt Leinart takes over for the retired Kurt Warner. There are a lot of questions about the former Heisman winner, but the Cardinals staff believes in him. Do his teammates?
	13	Broncos · Trends	13
	What do they do with Brandon Marshall? Is he back? Is he traded? They need him, that's for sure.
	14	Steelers · Trends	14
	The concerns with this team are on both lines. They have to play better there. Isn't that the Steelers way?
	15	Texans · Trends	15
	They had a winning season, but it's time to make the playoffs. They do have an explosive passing game, which gives them a good chance.
	16	Falcons · Trends	16
	They played the Saints tough twice with a lot of injuries. That has to give them hope heading into next season. They have to work on fixing that defense.
	17	Giants · Trends	20
	There is some talk that Tom Coughlin could be in trouble if he doesn't win next season. I don't buy it. But they do have to improve the defense.
	18	Titans · Trends	17
	Vince Young played well when he took over. Now he has to show he can do it again.
	19	Dolphins · Trends	18
	I think this is a team to watch in 2010. Chad Henne will give the Dolphins a better chance to get to a Super Bowl. He does need a receiver.
	20	49ers · Trends	19
	The Niners have talent, but they have to throw it better to be a playoff team. I think Alex Smith just might be the answer. The offensive line needs fixing.
	21	Jaguars · Trends	21
	Jack Del Rio got another year, which some question. Does his quarterback get the same?
	22	Panthers · Trends	22
	They have to decide who plays quarterback. Is it Matt Moore or Jake Delhomme? It should be Moore. What to do with Julius Peppers?
	23	Redskins · Trends	23
	Mike Shanahan has to decide if Jason Campbell is his quarterback of choice. I bet he decides that he is. Hiring Jim Haslett was a good move for the defense.
	24	Bears · Trends	24
	Lovie Smith has one year to show that he can turn this team around. Hiring Mike Martz as offensive coordinator is a great move.
	25	Seahawks · Trends	25
	Pete Carroll has a long way to go to turn this team around. First decision is if Matt Hasselbeck is the right guy at quarterback.
	26	Bills · Trends	26
	Is Chan Gailey the right choice? Let's put it this way: His hiring was a surprise. He does know offense.
	27	Chiefs · Trends	28
	You can bet the first priority is trying to improve that offensive line. Matt Cassel took a beating.
	28	Browns · Trends	27
	Eric Mangini gets another year, and he probably earned it late. Can Mike Holmgren turn this team around? He has a lot of work to do.
	29	Buccaneers · Trends	30
	Raheem Morris gets another year and his team should be better just because Josh Freeman will be better. Hey, they did beat the Saints late in the season.
	30	Raiders · Trends	29
	Tom Cable is back. Is that a good thing? Who knows? If they don't fix the quarterback position, does it matter?
	31	Lions · Trends	31
	It's all about improving the defense. They need pass-rush help in the worst way. They are another year away from competing -- at least.
	32	Rams · Trends	32
	They have a huge decision at the top of the draft: Do they take a quarterback or do they solve that by acquiring Michael Vick? We'll see.