The Arizona Cardinals were straight-up counted out, underdogs by more than a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week One, but guess what? They absolutely shut down the Bolts, walking away with a double-digit victory. Talk about a statement! That win just rocketed them up numerous NFL power rankings, shooting from 25th to 19th in Nick Shook’s NFL.com list. Wild stuff.
That Week One Stunner Was No Fluke
Seriously, who saw this coming? Everyone wrote off Arizona heading into that opener at SoFi Stadium on September 13, 2026. The atmosphere in Inglewood, California, was buzzing, but it was the Cardinals who brought the thunder. Kendrick Bourne, rocking number 17, was out there making critical first down receptions, like the one early in the first quarter against the Chargers that helped set the tone. The whole team just played with a different kind of fire. Nick Shook, a guy who knows his stuff, put it best: Mike LaFleur’s crew played “inspired, fearless football,” and they weren’t just playing hard, they were “taking the fight to the Chargers and outplaying them in every facet.” It wasn’t a lucky bounce, it was a full-team effort, top to bottom. That’s why jumping six spots in one week feels totally earned.
What This Means For Arizona’s Early Season Look
Going from 25th to 19th after just one game isn’t some small jump; it’s a massive shift in perception, especially for a team so many had at the bottom of the league’s power rankings. This kind of early season momentum is massive for setting a tone, sending a clear message across the NFL that this team is for real. You don’t just “outplay” a team like the Chargers in “every facet” without being legitimate contenders for something. While one game doesn’t make a season, this kind of triumphant debut has gotta have Cardinals fans absolutely hyped up right now. They were counted out, and they proved everyone wrong. Plus, they’ve got some other things going on too, like how they are handling Carson Beck as QB3 in practice. Elsewhere in the league, Week One always delivers some surprises, like the Ravens cutting kicker Jake Moody after Tyler Loop had a strong game. But this Arizona upset definitely takes the cake as the biggest shocker.
Next up for the Cardinals is a serious challenge: Myles Garrett is set to return, just in time to play them. That’s a whole different beast to contend with on the field, but after that Week One performance, Arizona has shown they aren’t afraid to take on anyone. Can they keep that fearless energy going against one of the league’s top defenders? We’ll see, but right now, they’ve absolutely earned their spot in those top 20 rankings and are making some noise.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Revenge of the Birds.
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