NFL power rankings head-scratchers: Arizona Cardinals don't play, fall in Week 13 rankings

On Monday, we looked at several early NFL power rankings for Week 13 and the Arizona Cardinals were the No. 1-ranked NFL team in all of them.

One even said that the Cardinals were in "a tier of their own."

A new batch of rankings came out Tuesday and not everyone agrees.

Several of the latest NFL power rankings have the Cardinals No. 2 in the NFL, a couple of them have Arizona No. 3, and the team is even lower in a couple of other rankings of NFL teams after Week 12.

The Green Bay Packers were elevated past the Cardinals in many of them after their win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12.

The Cardinals were on a bye in Week 12.

Out of sight, out of mind?

Here's a look at some NFL power rankings that don't have the Cardinals ranked No. 1 in the NFL, despite the team's NFL best 9-2 record.

NFL Week 13 picks, predictions, odds:

• Cowboys at Saints | Giants at Dolphins | Colts at Texans

• Vikings at Lions | Eagles at Jets | Cardinals at Bears

• Chargers at Bengals | Bucs at Falcons | Jaguars at Rams

• Washington Football Team at Raiders | Ravens at Steelers

• 49ers at Seahawks | Broncos at Chiefs | Patriots at Bills

• Arizona Republic's NFL Week 13 picks | Playoff picture

• Point spreads, money lines, over/unders | TV schedule

ESPN: Cardinals fall to No. 2, Packers elevated to No. 1

Josh Weinfuss writes: "Losing two out of three games will cause confidence in a team to take a hit, but Arizona regained a lot of that confidence lost by beating the 49ers and Seahawks with backup quarterback Colt McCoy. However, the Cardinals' loss to the Packers in Week 8 is a definite cause for concern considering there's a good chance Arizona could see Green Bay at some point in the playoffs."

NFL Week 13 television information:

• Cowboys at Saints | Giants at Dolphins | Colts at Texans

• Vikings at Lions | Eagles at Jets | Cardinals at Bears

• Chargers at Bengals | Bucs at Falcons | Jaguars at Rams

• Washington Football Team at Raiders | Ravens at Steelers

• 49ers at Seahawks | Broncos at Chiefs | Patriots at Bills

• NFL Week 13 schedule: How to watch all 14 games

NFL.com: Cardinals drop to No. 2, Packers rise to No. 1

Dan Hanzus writes: "General manager Steve Keim deserves a bonus star in his eventual end-of-year evaluation for the Zach Ertz trade. The Cardinals acquired the three-time Pro Bowl tight end from the Eagles in exchange for rookie sixth-rounder Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round pick, and Ertz has already earned back that investment and then some. Ertz has stepped into a playmaker role in five games in Arizona, collecting 22 catches for 269 yards and three touchdowns -- two of them coming in the Week 11 win over the Seahawks. His presence has been especially vital at a time when injuries have knocked Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins out of the lineup. Don't be surprised when Ertz is making big catches in the playoffs. He's been known to do that."

More: NFL power rankings: Arizona Cardinals in a tier of their own entering NFL Week 13

More: Arizona Cardinals' Kyler Murray tweet prompts speculation, discussion: What does it mean?

The Ringer: Cardinals now ranked No. 2, Packers now ranked No. 1

Danny Kelly writes: "Crucially, this beleaguered Packers squad now has its chance to rest up and get healthier during its upcoming bye. And reinforcements could be coming soon, as the team hopes to get both Alexander and Smith back at some point down the stretch. Thanks to Sunday’s win, Green Bay is well positioned to make a run at the no. 1 seed in the NFC."

More: Kliff Kingsbury to Oklahoma football? Writers weigh in on Arizona Cardinals coach report

USA TODAY Sports: Cardinals fall to No. 3 behind Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Nate Davis writes: "Weird to drop the NFC leaders and their league-best 9-2 record after a bye week? Maybe. But it's still not clear if QB Kyler Murray and WR DeAndre Hopkins are ready to return, nor is it clear if coach Kliff Kingsbury is interested in the vacant Oklahoma job or not. Potential distraction for a team that's avoided them to this point."

More: NFL Week 13 schedule: TV information, how to watch all 14 Week 13 NFL games in 2021 season

Draft Kings: Cardinals drop to No. 3 behind New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals

The site uses point differential against the spread for its power rankings and the Cardinals fell from No. 2 to No. 3 after not playing in Week 12.

More: NFL Week 13 odds: Point spreads, money lines, over/unders for Week 13 NFL game betting

The Lines: Cardinals now No. 4 behind Kansas City Chiefs, Packers, Buccaneers

It writes: "Colt McCoy has played well enough to keep Arizona atop the NFC West and give both Kyler Murray (ankle) and DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) time to rest up their ailments through their bye week. The Cardinals rank third in total DVOA defense and are averaging 30.3 PPG when Murray is active."

More: NFL playoff picture: NFC, AFC playoff races tighten ahead of NFL Week 13 games

FTN Bets: Cardinals slip to No 5 behind Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Chiefs, Packers

It writes: "With Kyler, they are a top tier team, if he can stay healthy."

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 head-scratchers NFL Week 13: Arizona Cardinals drop