They say you never have to apologize for a win in the National Football League.

Apparently, the folks who put together NFL power rankings don’t subscribe to that belief.

The Arizona Cardinals went on the road and beat the San Francisco 49ers — something they hadn’t done since 2008. But the 19-13 margin wasn’t good enough to impress the observers from around the internet in this week’s Power Rankings Roundup.

The Cardinals lost ground, falling as low as fifth in some rankings, despite winning their fifth straight and pushing their record to 9-2 on the season.

Here’s a look at what ten different national outlets had to say about the Cardinals heading into Week 13.

NFL Power Rankings, Week 13: Carolina Panthers claim No. 1

#3 (holding steady)

The Cardinals are the NFC’s foremost opponent to the Panthers’ dominance of the conference. But this is the Power Rankings — the article of truth! — so let’s be honest here: They got bailed out in San Francisco. A ticky-tacky roughing-the-passer on Quinton Dial, failure by the refs to call a delay-of-game penalty and dropped interceptions allowed Arizona to snatch victory from the jaws of a flat freaking performance. That said, good teams find ways to win these kinds of games. Bad teams don’t.

2015 NFL Power Rankings: Week 13

#4 (holding steady)

One more win and the Cardinals will have won 10 games in three consecutive seasons. The last time they did that was 1974-76, when they were in St. Louis.

NFL Week 13 Power Rankings: Panthers finally usurp Pats at the top



#4 (down 1 spot)

Back-to-back wins over Seattle and Cincinnati showed how good this Arizona team can be. The Cardinals, though, have had more sleepy performances than one might expect from a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They spent three-plus quarters against San Francisco playing with all the energy of your 60-year-old uncle after Thanksgiving dinner.

2015 NFL Power Rankings: Week 13

#3 (holding steady)

With both Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington now dealing with injuries, rookie RB David Johnson will be tasked with inheriting a major role down the stretch. Based on his production on a per-snap basis, the Cardinals could be on the verge of some more explosive plays.

NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Rank Heading into Week 13?

#4 (down 1 spot)

Week 12 was set up to be a trap game for them, if you believe in such things. They were riding high after shootout wins over the Cincinnati Bengals and Seattle Seahawks—two tough opponents who would still be playing if postseason football started today. Then a road trip to visit the struggling San Francisco 49ers was teed up.

2015 NFL power rankings, Week 13: Panthers, Broncos move up, Patriots, Cardinals slip

#5 (down 2 spots)

Meanwhile, the Cardinals survived an uncharacteristically sluggish day on offense to beat the 49ers in Santa Clara, improving to 9-2 on the year.

NFL Power Rankings: NFL Power Rankings: Hail to the Redskins, the best of awful NFC East

#3 (holding steady)

They struggled some at San Francisco, but that can be expected some weeks for all teams. Now they just can’t let it linger.

NFL Power Rankings: Carolina Panthers finally climb to the top

#3 (holding steady)

Their running game gets a bit thin with Chris Johnson or Andre Ellington injured. It’s a big spot for rookie David Johnson to shine.

PFT’s Week 13 power rankings

#5 (down 2 spots)

Good teams find a way to win even when they’re playing the opposite of good.

USA Today Power Rankings

#4 (down 1 spot)

Concerned that they may be leaking oil as injuries (Chris Johnson) mount? Or just natural letdown against weaker foe Sunday?

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