Arizona Cardinals leap in NFL Week 7 power rankings after surprise win

The Arizona Cardinals had lost four straight games entering their NFL Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Rams, and they had not looked good during the skid. Fans were calling for changes and hope in the direction of the franchise was bleak. What a difference one game can make. After a shocking 18-1

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What is the story about?

The Arizona Cardinals had lost four straight games entering their NFL Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Rams, and they had not looked good during the skid.

Fans were calling for changes and hope in the direction of the franchise was bleak.

What a difference one game can make. After a shocking 18-16 win over the Rams

, Arizona is no longer in the basement of the NFC West standings and no longer in the midst of a losing streak.

Dare we say, there is some hope in the desert for the Cardinals? Maybe the team's future isn't quite so dark.

This week's NFL power rankings reflect some of that sentiment, with Mike LaFleur's team up as many as eight spots in the rankings after its "seriously impressive" win. Check out where the Arizona Cardinals are ranked

in NFL Week 7 power rankings after their big victory over the Rams.

The Arizona Republic: Cardinals ascend eight spots to No. 21

Jeremy Cluff writes: "The Cardinals are now 2-4, which is the same record as the Los Angeles Rams, whom they beat in NFL Week 6. Arizona has more wins (2) at SoFi Stadium this season than the Rams and Chargers combined (1). Wow. Is this too big of a jump for Arizona? We had to rank the Cardinals ahead of the Rams after their Week 6 win."

Pro Football Talk: Cardinals jump seven spots to No. 22

Mike Florio writes: "Maybe they should move to L.A."

USA TODAY Sports: Cardinals leap six spots to No. 23

Nate Davis writes: "The wildest stat of a still-young NFL season? The Cards have more wins (2) at SoFi Stadium than the Chargers and Rams … combined."

Yahoo Sports: Cardinals up five spots to No. 24

Frank Schwab writes: "Nick Rallis was under heat after the first five games. He has been Arizona's defensive coordinator since 2023, survived a head coaching change, and none of his defenses have ranked better than 21st in yards allowed. A slow start to the season with new head coach Mike LaFleur had people wondering if Rallis was close to being replaced. Rallis bought himself some time. The Cardinals had a shocking win Sunday led by their defense, which held the Rams under 300 yards and to 16 points. The Cardinals kept the pressure on Matthew Stafford and forced him and the Rams' offense into a poor game. That relieves a lot of pressure, and provides hope this season."

The Athletic: Cardinals rise five spots to No. 24

It writes of Trey McBride: "The Cardinals tight end is in an unfamiliar spot, third at his position in fantasy scoring (17.2 ppg), but he’s still pacing an Arizona team that is pretty frustrating in every other aspect for fantasy managers. Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love has been a disappointment so far (10.2 ppg), and Michael Wilson has yet to have a 100-yard receiving game."

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur takes a deep breath as he walks off the field after defeating the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Oct. 18, 2026.

FOX Sports: Cardinals go up four spots to No. 26

Ralph Vacchiano writes: "I don’t care how much the Rams are struggling right now. This young, flawed Cardinals team going into Los Angeles and beating a much more talented team, and having to come from behind for a last-second field goal to do it, is seriously impressive. It doesn’t necessarily change my overall opinion of the Cards, nor does it alter their brutal schedule over the next seven weeks. But it’s a nice cornerstone win for new coach Mike LaFleur. That memory can keep him warm in late winter when he’s busy trying to figure out which quarterback he wants in the 2027 draft."

Bleacher Report: Cardinals climb three spots to No. 26

Kris Knox writes: "The Arizona Cardinals have looked like one of the league's worst teams over the past few weeks, but they stopped their four-game skid with an unexpected road win over the Los Angeles Rams. The fact that Arizona pulled off the upset without star rookie running back Jeremiyah Love and after trading away wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. should catch the attention of future opponents. The Cardinals might not be a great team overall, but they have a collection of offensive skill players that can at least keep games interesting. On Sunday, the offense was effective enough to retake the lead after Arizona lost it with just 47 seconds in regulation. Are the Cardinals playoff contenders? Probably not, but the Rams may not be the last opponents they upset this season, either."

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals leap in NFL Week 7 power rankings after surprise win