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2018 NFL Power Rankings: Mahomes impresses, Rodgers plays magician

By Randy Gurzi

GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 09: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers avoids being sacked by Akiem Hicks #96 of the Chicago Bears during the first quarter of a game at Lambeau Field on September 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 09: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers avoids being sacked by Akiem Hicks #96 of the Chicago Bears during the first quarter of a game at Lambeau Field on September 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Running back David Johnson #31 of the Arizona Cardinals rushes the football past defensive back Montae Nicholson #35 and cornerback Fabian Moreau #31 of the Washington Redskins during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Running back David Johnson #31 of the Arizona Cardinals rushes the football past defensive back Montae Nicholson #35 and cornerback Fabian Moreau #31 of the Washington Redskins during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

27. Arizona Cardinals (20)

The biggest knock on Sam Bradford throughout his career is his health. The second knock is he throws far too many short passes. In his debut game for the Arizona Cardinals, it was the dump off passes that showed up. Bradford managed just 153 yards — and threw an interception — on 34 pass attempts. He wasn’t the only member of the Cardinals that came out flat in Week 1 though, which is usually the case when a team loses 24-6.

Back after missing most of 2017 with a wrist injury, David Johnson wasn’t overly effective. He scored the only touchdown of the game for Arizona, but had 37 yards on nine rushes and 30 yards on five receptions. To be fair to him though, trailing for most the game took away his ability to really take off as a runner.

The defense also struggled in this game. This unit is supposed to be the calling card for them, but they allowed Adrian Peterson to rush for 96 yards and let Alex Smith throw an efficient 255 yards on 21-of-30 passing. It was a less-than-thrilling debut for head coach Steve Wilks, who surely hopes for more out of his team going forward.

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