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 won four games in November by a total of 10 points. They're not dominating, but they are winning.
	2	Saints · Trends	2
	They get a major test next week when the Patriots come to town for a Monday night game. Is that the end of the unbeaten season?
	3	Vikings · Trends	3
	Brett Favre might be having his best season. Who said he would flop? Oh, me.
	4	Patriots · Trends	5
	They bounced back nicely against the Jets and have a two-game lead in the division, but the Saints will be a great barometer for where they are now.
	5	Cowboys · Trends	7
	They beat the Redskins, but they still looked off. They'll get it going Thursday against the Raiders.
	6	Bengals · Trends	4
	What was that in Oakland? That reminds us a little of why they're still the Bengals. They had no business losing that game.
	7	Chargers · Trends	9
	They are rolling again after a slow start. What else is new for this team? They are the class of the AFC West, just like we thought they'd be.
	8	Cardinals · Trends	10
	They played a decent road game against the Rams, even if they made it interesting in the end. The running game is getting cranked up, which is great for the playoff run.
	9	Eagles · Trends	11
	They snapped a two-game losing streak against the Bears to keep their playoff chances solid. This is the time when the Eagles usually get it going.
	10	Steelers · Trends	6
	They just haven't looked that good this season. Something is off. It might be wise to work on that kickoff coverage.
	11	Giants · Trends	12
	Eli Manning's big game saved their season against Atlanta. Now they face a tough road game at Denver on a short week.
	12	Broncos · Trends	8
	Was their start a fraud? It sure looks like it. They aren't playing well on either side of the ball, but especially on offense.
	13	Jaguars · Trends	16
	If the playoffs started today, they'd be in. Wow. They aren't winning pretty, but they're finding a way.
	14	Packers · Trends	17
	Losing Al Harris and Aaron Kampman for the season will impact that defense in a big way. It's good that the offense is playing better now to help offset it.
	15	Falcons · Trends	14
	They have three consecutive homes games to turn their season back around. The defense just gives up too many big plays.
	16	Dolphins · Trends	21
	Chad Henne is growing up. As he does, they will be better. The playoffs are still possible. But don't lose at Buffalo.
	17	Ravens · Trends	15
	They've been a disappointment so far. If they lose to the Steelers this week, they can say goodbye to the playoffs.
	18	Texans · Trends	13
	That loss at home to the Titans is a big hit to their playoff chances. They just never got it going on offense. Kris Brown choked two weeks in a row. Now the Colts come to town.
	19	Titans · Trends	22
	They are somehow still alive at 4-6. Winning four consecutive games after opening 0-6 is impressive. Vince Young is doing a nice job.
	20	Jets · Trends	18
	Mark Sanchez is playing like a rookie. But it doesn't mean he should sit down. He needs to grow and playing is the right way.
	21	Panthers · Trends	19
	They will likely have a new coach next season and that could mean the end for Jake Delhomme. He just isn't good enough.
	22	Bears · Trends	20
	Is Lovie Smith in trouble? He might be. Cutler sure hasn't lived up to the expectations. He needs help.
	23	49ers · Trends	23
	They can forget the playoffs now. The rest of the season is about finding out if Alex Smith is the long-term answer at quarterback.
	24	Bills · Trends	25
	Perry Fewell's first game showed a team that will still fight. And there was a Terrell Owens sighting. Amazing.
	25	Seahawks · Trends	24
	Count this team as one of the biggest flops of the season. But injuries have played a big part. Is Mike Holmgren coming to the rescue?
	26	Chiefs · Trends	26
	They're on a two-game winning streak. Beating the Steelers is a big step for this young team. The Chiefs are improving.
	27	Redskins · Trends	27
	The best thing to come out of the Cowboys loss is that Jason Campbell played better. They're still fighting.
	28	Raiders · Trends	28
	Say hello to the bench, JaMarcus Russell. Bruce Gradkowski is the guy the rest of the way.
	29	Lions · Trends	31
	Matt Stafford showed against the Browns that he was the right pick last April. They have their building block.
	30	Rams · Trends	29
	Do you feel sorry a little for Steven Jackson playing on this team? He's having a huge season. And now Marc Bulger is out? Ouch.
	31	Buccaneers · Trends	30
	Josh Freeman played like a rookie against the Saints, but he will have those days. It's hard to believe that's a Bucs defense we've been watching. It tells us why Jim Bates was fired.
	32	Browns · Trends	32
	The good news is Brady Quinn is looking better. The bad news is the defense regressed. They have a long way to go to being able to compete for a playoff spot.