NFL power rankings Week 9: Arizona Cardinals almost at the top

The Arizona Cardinals have the full attention of the Internet world and the national media. After defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 24-20 on Sunday, there is consensus around power rankings.

The Cardinals, who now have the best record in the NFC at 6-1, are the league's second-best team right now.

Delilah Cassidy's rankings for our site have them second.

A HUGE win over the Eagles this week shoots the Cardinals up to be the best not only in the west but also in the NFC. Bruce Arians has coached his team to near perfection suffering only one loss to the Broncos with their 3rd string quarterback. Cardinals are 6-1, their best record since starting 7-0 in 1974. A win next week will put them in a great spot to take the division.

Also locally, Bob McManaman put the Cards second with his AZCentral power rankings.

I've never had the Red Birds this high in Bobby Mac's Power Rankings, but here they are -- and it's well deserved. The Cardinals are 6-1 and head to Dallas this week for what still will be a huge game even after tha Cowboys' loss Monday to Washington. Apply a meaningful rush on Tony Romo and the Cards will come home 7-1.

Nationally, SB Nation moved them up to second from fifth. Notice how the blurb about our team keeps growing.

The Cardinals, who used their third fourth-quarter comeback this season to knock off the Eagles at home, move to 6-1 and appear to be the class of the NFC as we near the season's halfway point. Arizona has been remarkably successful this season despite key personnel losses, and possesses one of the top defenses in the league. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles has his guys flying around, blitzing like crazy. The Cardinals have to be one of the toughest teams to game plan for because of their aggressive style. On offense, rookie John Brown continues to be an explosive playmaker for Arizona. He caught a perfect 75-yard bomb from Carson Palmer late in the game to take the lead back from Philly for good. With a seemingly healthy Palmer throwing passes to the rejuvenated Larry Fitzgerald and the always dangerous Michael Floyd, and handing off to the explosive Andre Ellington, this is an underrated offense as well.

ESPN also moved them up from fifth to second.

The Cardinals gained 193 yards after the catch Sunday, their most in a game this season and their second most in a game in Stats & Info's dataset (since 2006).

Over at CBS Sports, Pete Prisco already had them second. They remain there this week.

They head to Dallas for a huge game this week with the Cowboys. Winner is the king of the NFC at the halfway point.

Yahoo! Sports' Shutdown Corner rankings finally give the Cardinals some credit. They put them second overall, but it was the biggest jump as they had them seventh last week.

I haven't been the biggest Carson Palmer fan, but he's having an excellent year. He has 1,136 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception in four games. Aside from an excellent coaching staff, Palmer's the biggest reason the Cardinals are this high.

Fox Sports also had the Cardinals move from fifth to second.

Carson Palmer is playing like he's been in Bruce Arians' system for years as he spreads the ball around to multiple receivers -- this week he found dynamic rookie John Brown over the top on a game-winning touchdown.

I think we can all agree with these rankings. For once there is no lack of respect, no quips of a fluke. There is just Internet love. It feels strangely nice.

Even with a win on Sunday in Dallas, with the Broncos playing the way they are, it would take a lot to see Arizona leapfrog Peyton Manning and company. So for now, enjoy it.