Cardinals (Finally) Get Some Respect From National Media

The Arizona Cardinals aren't winning the Super Bowl this year, nor are they on track to make a deep playoff push.

Yet after their first victory of the season, the Cardinals seem to have garnered at least some respect from the national media after nearly reverse-covering their 12.5 point spread as underdogs against the Dallas Cowboys, defeating America's Team in 28-16 fashion:

Sports Illustrated

Conor Orr: "It’s not just that the Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys. It’s that they damn near beat the Commanders in Week 1 and were clubbing the Giants at the half in Week 2. When we’re talking about most teams, near wins are meaningless. When we’re talking about the Cardinals, their level of effort and attitude absolutely matters.

"... This may be the last time we think about the Cardinals this season, but by logging the biggest upset of the year they have proven themselves bus takers, or whatever it was Gannon was talking about during that speech that we are officially not allowed to make fun of anymore."

CBS Sports

Garrett Podell: "The Cardinals won this game as an 11-point home underdog to secure their first victory of the season. Any outcome in which they emerged victorious was going to result with a perfect grade. Their play on the field also merits the grade. Pounding Dallas for 222 rushing yards, the second-most that Dallas has surrendered under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, is a sign of imposing their will on defensive front more equipped to defend the pass than defend the run.

"Their defense was clutch all day long, forcing the Cowboys to finish 1-for-5 on their red zone drives, allowing two field goals and a touchdown while forcing a turnover on downs and a game-sealing interception. No matter what happens in Arizona the rest of the season, Week 3 will stand as the credibility-defining victory of head coach Jonathan Gannon's first season as an NFL head coach."

Bleacher Report

Staff: "The Arizona Cardinals didn't know they're not good enough to beat the Dallas Cowboys, who throttled their first two opponents. The preseason betting favorite to claim next year's No. 1 overall draft pick provided a plucky performance to claim a 28-16 victory.

"Overall, the Cardinals own a plus-five point differential. They're the league's only team with a positive number despite a losing record. Arizona is playing sound, scrappy football. The roster may be limited in certain areas, but Gannon and his staff are maximizing what's on the roster."

The Cardinals will have another opportunity to shock the world with the San Francisco 49ers waiting on the road for a Week 4 divisional battle.