Following a stunning upset against the Dallas Cowboys, the Arizona Cardinals have swiftly transformed from a team largely overlooked to one earning the respect of numerous analysts across the league.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This surge in respect for Arizona became evident as they leaped from the 32nd spot to the 25th position in the power rankings.
AQ Shipley, a former center for the Cardinals up until 2020, is also impressed by what he has seen so far.
On the Pat McAfee show, Shipley stated that he believes the Cardinals are better than many give them credit for.
"I think the Arizona Cardinals are better than a lot of people think..
They're playing really well and they're battling out there" ~ @aqshipley #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/MPcbTW90BX
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 27, 2023
While Shipley did acknowledge the Cowboys‘ injury concerns, including the absence of their star cornerback Trevon Diggs, he found plenty to admire in Arizona’s performance last Sunday.
Through the first three games of this season, the Cardinals have managed to maintain a +5 point differential, as their first two losses combined for a cumulative margin of just seven points.
If it were not for a blown 28-7 lead against the Giants, Arizona would be standing tall with a 2-1 record.
Nonetheless, their victory against the Cowboys serves as a highly promising sign, especially considering the low expectations for a team that recently underwent significant changes, welcoming new faces including a different head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and even general manager.
One noticeable facet of the culture change driven by this new regime is their emphasis on playing with intensity and delivering hard hits during every snap of every game.
Perhaps it’s their fearless approach driven by the perception of having nothing to lose, but the Cardinals have clearly conveyed that games against them will not just be a free walk in the park.
