NFL

2017 NFL Power Rankings: Preseason Edition

Brandon Gdula  —  @gdula13 Jul 20th, 2017
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10. Arizona Cardinals, 1.85 nERD

Arizona managed to go just 7-8-1 last season, despite boasting the seventh-largest point differential (+56).

The defense graded out in the top seven for the fifth straight year and were sixth overall, ninth against the pass, and sixth against the run in 2016. That shouldn't change for the worse in 2017.

Offensively, things get tricky. Arizona dropped off significantly in 2016 after finishing first overall in Adjusted NEP per play in 2015. They were first in passing and eighth in rushing in 2015. In 2016, they were 20th in passing, 19th in rushing, and just 16th overall.

Carson Palmer's Passing NEP per drop back got cut from 0.33 to 0.11, and his Success Rate fell from 52.93% to 48.12%. They have the receiving talent to turn that around, with Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, and even David Johnson out of the backfield.

The Cards have the chance to right the ship in 2017, against the league's 28th-toughest schedule, if their offensive line concerns get answered.

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