Arizona Cardinals vs N.y. Jets Jets Picks and Predictions November 10th 2024

Cardinals Eyeing Fourth Straight Win While Remaining Cautious of Revived Jets

As the Arizona Cardinals chase their first four-game winning streak since 2021, they are gearing up to face a reinvigorated New York Jets squad on Sunday in Glendale, Arizona. Both teams enter Week 10 with something to prove, but they are on vastly different trajectories.

Jets Riding High After Much-Needed Win

The New York Jets (3-6) snapped a five-game losing skid with a 21-13 victory over the Houston Texans on Halloween night. The win showcased a well-rounded effort, with all three phases contributing significantly. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who returned from injury in October, finally seemed to find his rhythm.

Rodgers connected with Davante Adams for their first touchdown since Adams’ mid-season trade from the Las Vegas Raiders. Highlight catches, like Garrett Wilson’s one-handed “Jumpman” touchdown, demonstrated that the Jets’ offense has the potential to be a serious threat down the stretch.

“If you want to be a great team, you’ve got to practice like a great team,” Rodgers emphasized. “We’ve been practicing better, but there’s still a standard we need to reach. I’m confident that consistency will start showing up on gameday.”

The Jets’ schedule lightens up after this matchup, with just two remaining games against teams with a winning record: the Buffalo Bills (7-2) and Los Angeles Rams (4-4). Rodgers believes that focusing on the immediate task rather than looking too far ahead is key for New York to make a late playoff push.

“This is a long road trip to face a division leader. We don’t need any extra motivation,” Rodgers said. “We know what we’re playing for.”

Cardinals Leaning on Ground Game and Defense

The Arizona Cardinals (5-4) have quietly become one of the hottest teams in the NFL, leading the NFC West. They are coming off a dominant 29-9 win over the Chicago Bears, part of a three-game win streak in which they have leaned heavily on their ground game.

Quarterback Kyler Murray has settled in comfortably this season, but the real star has been the rushing attack. Arizona ranks among the league leaders with 149.7 rushing yards per game, spearheaded by James Conner (664 yards, 4 TDs). Murray himself has been a dual threat, adding 350 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.

“Hand the ball off, play defense, and win? Yeah, that’s something good football teams can do,” Murray said. “We’re growing as a team, but it doesn’t change our offensive goals.”

The Cardinals’ offensive line has shown significant improvement, allowing no sacks for three consecutive games before giving up three against the Bears last week. They’ll need to tighten up protection as they prepare for a fierce Jets pass rush that tallied eight sacks against Houston.

Jets’ Defense Finding Its Groove

The Jets’ defense has been a bright spot, especially their pass rush. The unit now has 31 sacks through nine games, trailing only the legendary 1981 “Sack Exchange” squad, which set a team record with 66 sacks in a season.

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The Jets’ defensive line will need to capitalize on an Arizona offensive line that showed vulnerabilities last week. However, injuries could impact New York’s defensive efforts, with key players like linebacker C.J. Mosley (neck) and safety Ashtyn Davis (concussion protocol) missing practice.

“We know Rodgers can be a handful, especially if he gets time in the pocket,” said Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon. “You can’t trick him, but you have to disrupt his timing.”

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Jets Pass Rush vs. Cardinals Offensive Line
   The Jets’ pass rush is hitting its stride, but Arizona’s offensive line has shown resilience. The battle in the trenches will be pivotal, especially if the Jets can force Murray into hurried throws.
2. Cardinals Ground Game vs. Jets Run Defense
   The Cardinals are averaging over 7.0 yards per carry with their trio of Conner, Murray, and Emari Demercado. The Jets’ defense, allowing 132.9 rushing yards per game, will need to step up to contain Arizona’s ground attack.
3. Rodgers and Adams Connection
   The chemistry between Rodgers and Adams looked promising against Houston. If the Cardinals can’t pressure Rodgers effectively, the duo could be poised for another big game.

Injury Report

• Jets:
  • C Joe Tippmann (limited practice)
  • LB C.J. Mosley (neck) – Did not practice
  • S Ashtyn Davis (concussion protocol) – Did not practice
• Cardinals:
  • RB James Conner (finger) – Limited participant
  • CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck) – Full participant

Outlook

The Jets come into this game with renewed confidence, but they are still facing an uphill battle to reach the playoffs. On the other hand, the Cardinals are not only looking to solidify their lead in the NFC West but also trying to sustain their winning momentum. If Arizona can establish their ground game early and control the tempo, they stand a good chance of extending their win streak to four games. However, if Rodgers continues to gel with his new receiving corps, the Jets could pull off an upset on the road.

Either way, this game promises to be a compelling matchup between two teams looking to prove themselves at a critical point in the season.