NFL power rankings: Arizona Cardinals make statement in win over Dallas Cowboys

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic
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The Arizona Cardinals got a much-needed 25-22 win over the Dallas Cowboys in NFL Week 17.

They also made a statement with the victory, according to the latest NFL power rankings entering NFL Week 18.

Check out what NFL writers are saying about the Arizona Cardinals after their impressive win over the Dallas Cowboys.

NFL Week 18 picks, predictions:

More: NFL power rankings head-scratchers: Dallas Cowboys six spots ahead of Arizona Cardinals

NFL Spin Zone: Cardinals get statement win vs. Cowboys, now ranked No. 6 in NFL

Randy Gurzi writes: "It was a statement win for the Arizona Cardinals as they went into AT&T Stadium and knocked off the Dallas Cowboys. For Kyler Murray, the Texas native continued to play well in the house that Jerry built, as he’s remained undefeated in the stadium dating back to his high school days. In this win, he had 263 yards passing and 44 on the ground with two touchdowns. The Dallas defense slowed him down in the second half but he did enough to keep them from catching up as they won 25-22. Defensively, they made life miserable on Dak Prescott who had three touchdowns in a misleading stat line. They remained alive in the NFC West as well with the win, although they will need some help to pull that off."

More: Arizona Cardinals can catch Los Angeles Rams for NFC West title in NFL Week 18

Pro Football Network: Cardinals up to No. 6 after controlling game vs. Cowboys

Dalton Miller writes: "The Cardinals got out to a lead against Dallas, and they never once gave it away. Early in the season, when Arizona was near the top of the NFL Power Rankings, it was because they were performing well against good competition. In Week 17, they took it to a good conference opponent and controlled the entire game. Arizona was able to cover and generate pressure when they rushed four, and they got consistent pressure when they sent more. Their speed and aggression also caused quite a few penalties that nullified big plays for Dallas, who in turn completely abandoned the run."

More: Dallas Cowboys blame officiating, officials for loss to Arizona Cardinals: 'No secret'

NFL writers were impressed with the Arizona Cardinals' NFL Week 17 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
NFL writers were impressed with the Arizona Cardinals' NFL Week 17 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Sporting News: Cardinals grab most impressive road win, move to No. 6 in rankings

Vinnie Iyer writes: "The Cardinals were on the ropes going into the Cowboys matchup but Kyler Murray went back on point and the running game and defense also rose to the occasion to make sure they didn't lose a total grip on winning the NFC West. It was their most impressive road victory in a season full of many."

More: NFL playoff picture: Green Bay Packers clinch NFC top seed, Tennessee Titans close in AFC

NBC Sports: Cardinals climb to No. 5 after Week 17 win, can still win NFC West

Justin Leger writes: "Kyler Murray and the Cardinals staved off a late Cowboys comeback to escape Dallas with a 25-22 win. They'll host the Seahawks next week and can clinch the NFC West with a win and a Rams loss."

More: NFL Week 18 schedule, television information: How to watch Week 18 NFL games

Fansided: Cardinals hand Cowboys 'stunning' loss, move up to No. 5

Russell S. Baxter writes: "The reeling Cardinals took a three-game losing streak to Arlington to clash with the NFC East champion Cowboys. Arizona owned a 13-7 lead at intermission and limited Dallas to 162 total yards. The Cards took a 22-7 lead into the fourth quarter but wound up protecting a three-point advantage as the Cowboys scored with 4:42 to play. Vance Joseph’s defense have up only 45 yards on the ground. The Cardinals won at Dallas for the second straight year."

More: NFL Week 18 odds: Money lines, point spreads, over/unders for Week 18 NFL games

ESPN: Cardinals up three spots to No. 8

Josh Weinfuss writes: "Even though Arizona won Sunday in Dallas, the Cardinals have still lost five of their past nine, which still gives Kliff Kingsbury a second-half slide in every season he has been a head coach. If this season's slide didn't happen, the Cardinals would have likely won the NFC West by now and possibly been competing for or have captured the No. 1 seed in the entire conference. On top of all that, they could've been looking at 14 or 15 wins. It's something Kingsbury needs to work on because it lowers his ceiling, and with a quarterback like Kyler Murray, having a limit to what a team can do on the field isn't the way to win Super Bowls."

More: Arizona Cardinals' Jonathan Ward makes amazing catch on fake punt vs. Dallas Cowboys

New York Post: Cardinals move up two spots to No. 5 in rankings

Ryan Dunleavy writes: "Beneficiaries of a controversial no-fumble call just before the two-minute warning, the Cardinals snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Cowboys. Kyler Murray improved to 8-0 in his lifetime as a starting quarterback at Dallas’ AT&T Stadium (2-0 in the NFL) with a pair of touchdown passes to Antoine Wesley."

More: NFL Week 18 picks, predictions: Who wins Week 18 NFL games?

NFL.com: Cardinals rise one spot to No. 9, gain confidence with win

Dan Hanzus writes: "Boy, did the Cardinals need that. Arizona went to Dallas on Sunday and picked up the most important win of its season, a 25-22 conquest that breathed some much-needed confidence back into the team. Kyler Murray improved to 8-0 lifetime in games started at AT&T Stadium dating back to his high school hero days, while the beleaguered Cards defense held down a Cowboys attack that dropped 56 points on Washington seven days earlier. Arizona finished the regular season 8-1 away from State Farm Stadium – good news for a team that could be on the road in the first week of the playoffs."

More: Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals picks, predictions: Who wins NFL Week 18 game?

Sports Illustrated: Cardinals steady themselves, ranked No. 10 after win

Conor Orr writes: "The Cardinals are no stranger to late-season collapses but steadied themselves in a must-win game against the Dallas Cowboys. It’s difficult to get behind this offense consistently without DeAndre Hopkins, but Kyler Murray’s mobility and vision are great equalizers. Arizona is now good enough to squeak out imperfect performances, which they couldn’t do in the past."

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL power rankings: Arizona Cardinals statement win vs. Dallas Cowboys