Battle of the Losers: Preview of the Jets and Cardinals Game

Added by Justin O'Connell on November 29, 2012.

The Jets will have their hands full with Darnell Dockett and the Cardinals front seven. (Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

There are only three teams in professional football that look as bad as the Jets do right now (Chiefs, Jaguars, and Cardinals), two of which the Jets will be facing these upcoming two weeks. This week it is the Arizona Cardinals who are currently on a seven game losing streak, after starting off the season 4-0. They are the first team in history to accomplish this feat and may be the only team who might be on a worse stretch than the Jets.

As disgustingly bad as the Jets quarterback situation looks right now, it is nothing compared to what the Cardinals are going through. They started the season off with John Skelton, then made the switch to Kevin Kolb, than to rookie, Ryan Lindley. Skelton and Lindley have made Ryan Leaf look like a pro bowler and Kolb has been hurt for over a month now. Kolb is close to full health and could return this week; there has been no official word as to who will start however.

The Jets are “a lot like us” says Cardinals head coach, Ken Whisenhunt. Both teams have good defenses, but unbelievably bad offenses. The Cardinals do have more talent on both sides of the ball though. Jets quarterback, Mark Sanchez, who is already under a great deal of criticism after his infamous “butt play”, will have a tough time against this defense.

The Jets passing game has been abysmal, so this week look for a continuing trend against the Cardinals 4^th ranked pass defense. Sanchez should try to avoid throwing Patrick Peterson’s way as it will probably not bode well for him if he does. The Jets special teams will also have to be weary of Peterson in the return game, as he is always a threat to return one for a touchdown.

The Cards defensive front seven is a massive group led by linebacker Daryl Washington, who has 95 tackles, nine sacks, and one interception. The defensive line of the Cardinals will give the Jets all they can handle, with Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell coming off the ends. Right tackle, Austin Howard, will have to get over his bad game last week and play at a higher level or the Jets will have to give him help with a tight end or running back.

The Jets offense is looking like it may be in for a long day if they cannot stretch the field with some deep pass plays to open up the run game and then the play action. Shonn Greene will have to play one of his best games of the season if he wishes to help this offense against the big front seven of the Cardinals, but do not expect him to have a good game.

Now, the Cardinals offense will probably have their struggles against the Jets defense, as their offensive line is an embarrassment. The Jets will have to be careful of the Cardinals’ receivers though. They are, of course, led by Larry Fitzgerald, who somehow always manages to have a productive season, even though he plays with some of the least productive QBs in the league. The Antonio Cromartie vs Fitzgerald matchup should be a good one, but the Jets still have to worry about Andre Roberts, who is leading his team with 639 yards and five touchdowns, Michael Floyd, and Rob Housler.

If the Jets can rush the passer, which they should be able to do, they will be fine. Even though the Jets only have 17 sacks, they can still put pressure on the Cardinals’ quarterback and if they cannot, well then Ryan’s job may be in jeopardy. Expect this to be a very low scoring game that the Jets could very well come out on top of.