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2021 NFL Power Rankings, Week 5: Cowboys make statement, Cardinals take the top spot

By Randy Gurzi

Oct 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (3) recovers the fumble against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (3) recovers the fumble against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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2021 NFL Power Rankings
Oct 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) celebrates with offensive guard Max Garcia (73) his touchdown scored against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

. Previous: 3rd. Arizona Cardinals. 1. team. 32.

We have a new No. 1 team in our 2021 NFL Power Rankings and it’s not one that many of us saw coming. The Arizona Cardinals announced themselves as contenders in a huge way this weekend when they headed into SoFi Stadium and knocked off the Los Angeles Rams — who were the No. 1 team in these rankings entering Week 4.

It wasn’t just any win either as the Cardinals made it look easy. Following a 10-7 start for the Rams, Arizona took a commanding 24-13 lead into the half and extended that lead to 37-17 in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles scored again on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford with just over a minute to go but this game was never truly in doubt.

Quarterback Kyler Murray continued to show off his growth, completing 24-of-32 passes for 2685 yards and two touchdowns — as well as adding 39 yards rushing. A.J. Green and DeAndre Hopkins each had 67 yards and Maxx Williams added 66 with Green and Williams each scoring a touchdown.

On the ground, they were unstoppable with 216 yards and two touchdowns — each from James Conner. He was second in yards, however, with 50 while Chase Edmonds had 120.

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On defense, they continue to do enough to win and while the Rams moved the ball, they were mostly kept out of the end zone and Byron Murphy added an interception as well.

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