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	Colts · Trends	1
	They should send Belichick a Christmas card. What a gift. They face a tough road game this week at Baltimore.
	2	Saints · Trends	2
	They probably learned a valuable lesson against the Rams: Anybody can challenge you on any Sunday. They need to be careful when playing lesser teams.
	3	Vikings · Trends	3
	Get ready for the playoffs. The NFC North belongs to the Vikings. It's obvious nobody else in that division is in their class.
	4	Bengals · Trends	5
	You believe? You have to now. They've beaten both Baltimore and Pittsburgh twice. That's a statement right there.
	5	Patriots · Trends	4
	They are still in control of the AFC East, but don't lose this week against the Jets. Then it's another story.
	6	Steelers · Trends	6
	The champs have a wild-card look about them after being swept by the Bengals. That's OK. They won a Super Bowl a few years back taking that route.
	7	Cowboys · Trends	7
	Just when they start feeling good about the way they're playing, they go and lay an egg in Green Bay. Who was that in Tony Romo's jersey?
	8	Broncos · Trends	8
	It's amazing how quickly their season has turned around. Now they play the Chargers with a gimpy Kyle Orton and first place on the line.
	9	Chargers · Trends	12
	They have a chance to take over first place in the AFC West this week if they can win at Denver. That's hard to believe after their start.
	10	Cardinals · Trends	10
	The division title is theirs unless they have a disaster. Now they have to work on playing better at home because they will have a home playoff game.
	11	Eagles · Trends	9
	They might want to stay away from the West Coast. That is two bad games out there after losing to the Chargers on Sunday. Was that their defense we saw against San Diego?
	12	Giants · Trends	13
	They come off the bye with a huge game against Atlanta, trying to end a four-game losing streak. Did they dispose of the bad karma during the break? If not, they'll be watching come playoff time.
	13	Texans · Trends	14
	They come off their bye with a chance to earn their first playoff berth with a good second half. The key will be how well they play on defense.
	14	Falcons · Trends	11
	With Michael Turner down with an ankle sprain, it's time Matt Ryan truly takes over the offense. He has been struggling, and that has to stop.
	15	Ravens · Trends	15
	They have a huge game with Indianapolis this week. I can tell the Ravens defense this: The Colts offense doesn't look anything like the Browns' unit.
	16	Jaguars · Trends	17
	Don't look now, but they really are in the playoff hunt. The schedule is really soft, which will help their chances.
	17	Packers · Trends	18
	They will look back on that loss to Tampa Bay in Week 9 the rest of the season. How did it happen? They still have major issues on their offensive line.
	18	Jets · Trends	16
	If they don't win this week at New England, which won't be easy, they can kiss the playoffs goodbye. Were they overrated at 3-0? Yes.
	19	Panthers · Trends	21
	They have life. They've done a nice job of turning things around. Now they have to do it without Jordan Gross, which won't be easy.
	20	Bears · Trends	19
	You have to start to wonder about Jay Cutler. He's trying to do too much. Where's Matt Forte? They are a playoff long shot now.
	21	Dolphins · Trends	20
	Chad Henne time is here. His game-winning drive was impressive. Now they have a quick turnaround against Carolina.
	22	Titans · Trends	24
	Don't look now, but Vince Young is 3-0. Can they make a run? Is it possible?
	23	49ers · Trends	25
	Moral of their season: If you can't throw it consistently, you can't win. Alex Smith had a regress game against the Bears.
	24	Seahawks · Trends	22
	Their disappointing season gets worse every week. They will not be a playoff team with the injuries they've had. Bad first year for Jim Mora Jr.
	25	Bills · Trends	23
	Dick Jauron is gone. The Bills aren't playing very well and now must go to Jacksonville.
	26	Chiefs · Trends	27
	OK, so it came against the Raiders. But winning on the road is big for this young team. Jamaal Charles might be the real deal at running back.
	27	Redskins · Trends	28
	They have life. The Redskins won a game, but does that matter for coach Jim Zorn? Not really.
	28	Raiders · Trends	26
	Tom Cable should be looking for a realtor. There is no way he comes back next season. When does somebody fire Al Davis?
	29	Rams · Trends	29
	Steve Spagnuolo has to feel good about his team's effort. They are getting better. Just ask the Saints.
	30	Buccaneers · Trends	30
	They have to be thrilled with the way they are playing with Josh Freeman at quarterback. That bodes well for the future. Now it's time to fix the defense.
	31	Lions · Trends	31
	They picked Matthew Stafford last spring to help fix the offense. Now they are another team that needs to fix its defense next spring. Good news: The Browns are coming to Detroit.
	32	Browns · Trends	32
	That offense is as bad as I've seen. I mean ever. They can't even attempt passes down the field. What an eyesore.