NFL Week 13 Preview: Arizona Cardinals at New York Jets

The New York Jets (4-7) might feel down after the drubbing they took on Thanksgiving but they’re entering the ultimate rebound game. The Arizona Cardinals (4-7) come to town and they have lost seven games in a row entering this weekend. The Jets got a bit of help as the Steelers lost and they are only two games behind Pittsburgh; however, the Steelers own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Jets and there are four teams between them anyway. Jobs are on the line and the rest of the season will determine who is and is not back next season. New York Offense vs. Arizona Defense Mark Sanchez will be the best quarterback on the field this Sunday. However, that’s not saying much and you’ll see why in the next section. Sanchez will look to rebound the Jets from one of the most embarrassing losses I’ve ever witnessed. Lucky for them, the reeling Cardinals come to town, bringing their 7-game losing streak and a defense that allowed 173 rushing yards last week to the St. Louis Rams. Shonn Greene may not be as good as Steven Jackson, but the Jets have rushed for over 100 yards in five of their last six games. Rex Ryan typically goes with the hot hand each game, but Greene gets the first chance to make it happen. Honestly, I’m not sure about his future in New York so he might want to have a strong end to the season if he wants to return. His main problem is that he lacks a consistent burst to get through the holes he does find. That’s why he has to grind so many tough runs out. Bilal Powell has shown more consistency and Joe McKnight obviously has more speed and a better burst. Sanchez, while apart of the humiliating performance on Thanksgiving, still had a solid statistical game. He completed over 70 percent of his passes for 301 yards. He also threw another interception and a meaningless touchdown. Even though he can probably afford to make a mistake or two against this team, Sanchez might want to cut back for the sake of keeping his job next season. Edge: Jets Arizona Offense vs. New York Defense After starting out an impressive 4-0, the Arizona Cardinals are in a complete tailspin having lost their next seven games. They also have to travel across the country for an early game, so this is a terrible spot for them. Ryan Lindley is the worst starting quarterback in the National Football League. He is a rookie and has no business starting, or even being in this league. He lacks pocket awareness and cannot understand defenses, let alone one coached by Rex Ryan. Sure, he completed nearly 60 percent of his passes for over 300 yards against St. Louis, but he also threw four interceptions and the Cardinals were playing from behind for about half the game. Not to mention, the Jets boast a top-10 pass defense even without Darrelle Revis. Chris “Beanie” Wells rushed for two scores against the Rams, but he only averaged 2.8 yards-per-rush, something I’m sure Rex Ryan was glad to hear. He will probably find more room against New York, but they can stack the box because Ryan won’t have to worry about Lindley beating them through the air. He wasn’t an overly impressive quarterback at San Diego State so I’m not sure how he stumbled into the Cardinals locker room. The Jets would have to be concerned about Larry Fitzgerald if the Cardinals had anyone even with Tim Tebow’s throwing ability, but the stud receiver has a combined four receptions for 42 yards in Lindley’s two games. As far as Wells, the Cardinals have used so many different running backs this season it’s impossible to predict which one will get the bulk of the carries. Plain and simple, I don’t know how the Cardinals will score. Edge: Jets Special Teams Former Jet Jay Feely comes to town for the first time since leaving the Jets after the 2009 season. He has continued his consistency although he has gotten fewer scoring chances during his tenure with the Cardinals. Corner back Patrick Peterson is a known threat as a punt returner even though he doesn’t have a score this season. Arizona doesn’t have any return touchdowns this season and is in the middle of the pack for average yardage on returns. The Jets unit was a disaster again last week, this time on the freak touchdown play where Joe McKnight fumbled and Julian Edelman grabbed the ball that popped into the air. Clearly the Jets unit is better, but something has been way off over the last few games and they can’t get out of their own way. It’s tough to go either way given Feely’s consistency, Peterson’s return ability and the Jets screw-ups. Edge: Even Fantasy Outlook Obvious Starts: QB: Mark Sanchez WR: Jeremy Kerley, Larry Fitzgerald TE: Dustin Keller DEF: Jets I’d Rather Not Starts: RB: Anyone from either team DEF: Cardinals Hit or Miss Fantasy Start of the Week WR: Chaz Schilens Notes: Sanchez has had a decent few games with Schilens so he could grab a touchdown. Keep in mind that “I’d Rather Not Starts” are players you might have but probably shouldn’t start. Lindley isn’t on the list because obviously no one would have him on their team. I know Fitzgerald has struggled recently because of the QB play, but you better have other awesome options and some guts to put him on the bench. Feel free to ask me fantasy football questions via Twitter. Prediction: New York Jets (-4.5) 23 Arizona Cardinals 10 This game shouldn’t be close. The Jets are the far superior team even though their records match. The Cardinals are not a good team and they especially struggle when they have to travel across the country for an early game. This will probably be one of the Jets most complete games of the season given how all-around bad Arizona is; however, that means it will be all the more disappointing if the Jets don’t take total control of this contest. As a Jets fan, you really should be focusing on other games and keeping an eye on whether or not the Steelers and Colts, among other teams, win because that will weigh on New York’s playoff chances. Rodgers That   Follow Dan Rodgers on Twitter: @dhrodgers52 Stats and information courtesy of ESPN.com