NFL Power Rankings Week 9: 49ers crush Panthers, Eagles shock Bills

NFL Power Rankings, Week 9: 49ers embarrass Panthers, Eagles shock Bills

By Dan Parzych | Oct 28, 2019

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after sacking Kyle Allen #7 of the Carolina Panthers (not pictured) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

22. Arizona Cardinals (20)

Based off their first half of play against the New Orleans Saints, the Arizona Cardinals were surprisingly keeping things close with the NFC South leaders before it all fell apart in the final two quarters.

Entering Sunday’s game, the Cardinals were considered one of the hottest teams in the NFL riding a three-game winning streak, and even though each victory wasn’t exactly against the most impressive teams, a win over the Saints would have been a huge statement.

By watching Arizona come up way short in their 31-9 loss to New Orleans, this team may still be a work in progress instead of a group ready to make a surprise run in the NFC, which is what most football fans assumed back in September.

Also, it’s tough not to wonder how different this outcome could have been for the Cardinals if Chase Edmonds wasn’t forced to leave with a hamstring injury, and it doesn’t help that Arizona is on a shorter week with a matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday.

Since the Cardinals were already at a disadvantage on offense without David Johnson, the loss of Edmonds would be absolutely crushing, and put even more pressure on Kyler Murray under center.

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