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NFL power rankings, Week 9: Bills tumble, Saints soar

By Staff

Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) calls a play in the huddle in the second quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) calls a play in the huddle in the second quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Deone Bucannon (20) tackles Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Deone Bucannon (20) tackles Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

A strange strip-sack touchdown in the first quarter seemed to demoralize the Cardinals in route to a 30-20 loss in Carolina. Coming off their bizarre 6-6 tie on Monday Night Football, Arizona desperately needed a win to stay in lock-step with the Seahawks. Ten penalties kept the Cardinals from gaining momentum, and the 88 yards lost were more than any of their offensive weapons recorded on Monday. David Johnson was held in-check by the Panthers defensive line, and Carson Palmer was sacked eight times. Arizona’s defense allowed two rushing touchdowns by Jonathan Stewart, who doubled his season total on Sunday. <p>Next week: Arizona finally gets a bye week to reset and get healthy. Having John Brown fully recovered from sore hamstrings caused by his recently-discovered sickle-cell trait would be a big gain for the offense. They need to focus on protecting an aging Palmer and taking advantage of their 14 takeaways. </p> <p>Playoff hopes: Arizona is still in the hunt for the NFC West thanks to the Seahawks loss in New Orleans Sunday. Seattle faces Buffalo and New England next, and the Cardinals will want them to lose at-least one of those games. The two won’t face each other until Christmas Eve, their second-to-last regular season game of the season.</p>. 3-4-1. Previous: . Arizona Cardinals. 20. team. 32

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