Fansided

2021 NFL power rankings, Week 9: Cardinals fall for first time

By Russell S. Baxter

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: Rasul Douglas #29 of the Green Bay Packers intercepts a pass intended for A.J. Green #18 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter of a game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Packers defeated the Cardinals 24-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: Rasul Douglas #29 of the Green Bay Packers intercepts a pass intended for A.J. Green #18 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter of a game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Packers defeated the Cardinals 24-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 10
Next
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 31: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 31: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images) /

6-1. Previous: . Dallas Cowboys. 6. team. 123.

According to ESPN’s Ed Werder (via colleague Todd Archer), Dak Prescott’s status for this prime time clash at Minnesota was a game-time decision. And Cooper Rush would get the start vs. the Vikings.

He would struggle early but wound up throwing for 325 yards and two scores (1 interception) – the vast majority of those yards to wide receivers Amari Cooper (122) and CeeDee Lamb (112). The former scored the deciding TD with 51 seconds to play.

6-2. Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 5. team. 48.

Bruce Arians’ team rolled the Bears in Tampa last Sunday and now made their third trip to New Orleans in a year and a half. The Buccaneers would wind up falling behind, 23-7, in the third quarter. But the defending Super Bowl champions came all the way back to take a 27-26 lead with 5:44 to play.

Veteran Tom Brady wound up throwing for 375 yards and four scores. But he also committed all three of the Bucs’ turnovers – including a late pick-six.

Buffalo Bills. 4. team. 16. . 5-2. Previous:

Sean McDermott’s club had some extra time to prepare for their rivals from South Florida. The Bills rolled the Dolphins, 35-0, back in Week 2 at Miami. It was the team’s sixth straight win in the series (by a combined 232-112 count).

And the defending AFC East champions eventually got their act together after struggling for three quarters. Josh Allen threw for 249 yards and two scores plus led all rushers with 55 yards on the ground (1 TD) in the win.

Home/NFL Power Rankings