A year ago, the Jets and Cardinals combined to win 23 regular-season games. Entering Week 6, the two teams have combined for three wins.
"Monday Night Football" will feature two teams desperate for a win. It's arguably a must-win for both sides. If the Jets lose, they'll be 1-5. If the Cardinals lose, they'll be 2-4. Neither team can expect to make the playoffs with those records.
The similarities don't stop there. The Jets' coach is Todd Bowles, who only landed the gig after his successful stint as Bruce Arians' defensive coordinator in Arizona.
Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, both aging veterans, rank in the top 10 in interception percentage, with Fitzpatrick leading the way at 5.2 percent and Palmer situated at eighth with a pick on 3.3 percent of his passes. Both teams will trot out physical No. 1 receivers in Brandon Marshall and Larry Fitzgerald. Both teams will counter with top-notch cornerbacks in Darrelle Revis (if he's healthy) and Patrick Peterson.
Yet the game will probably come down to the Jets defense, because Cardinals running back David Johnson has proven to be impossible to stop to this point. He averages five yards per carry and has scored five rushing touchdowns. According to STATS, "Johnson has a league-best 695 scrimmage yards in 2016, recording at least 100 yards of offense in each of the Cardinals' first five games." Meanwhile, the Jets' defense ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (68.4).
And it'll also come down to turnovers. The Cardinals are tied for the league lead in takeaways with 12, while the Jets have given the ball away 13 times, which is tied for the second-most turnovers in the NFL.
So, if the Jets can stop Johnson, they'll have a shot to pull off the upset and save their season. And if the Jets can limit their turnovers, they'll have a chance to hang around.
From the Cardinals' perspective, they should be aided by Palmer's expected return from a concussion that sidelined him a week ago. But Palmer still needs to improve his level of play if the Cardinals are to live up to their lofty expectations. That might happen on Monday night.
The Jets' defense is ranked 23rd in yards allowed per game, 24th in points allowed per game, and 30th in DVOA. They've generated just three turnovers.
Consider the Cardinals offense is supposed to be built on big plays. Consider the Cardinals can maneuver around the Jets' run defense by throwing passes to Johnson. If you can't already tell, I'm not optimistic about the Jets' chances, especially considering they just placed red-zone star Eric Decker on injured reserve.
We'll get to the predictions in a minute, though. For now, here's how you can watch the game:
How to Watch
- What: New York Jets vs. Arizona Cardinals
- When: Monday, Oct. 17, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: WatchESPN
- Online: NFL Game Pass (available to watch online after midnight)
- Odds: The Cardinals are 7-point favorites, according to SportsLine.
Injury report
Jets
- LB David Harris (Hamstring) -- Doubtful
- C Nick Mangold (Knee) -- Questionable
- CB Darrelle Revis (Hamstring) -- Questionable
- TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Ankle) -- Questionable
Cardinals
- G Mike Iupati (Ankle) -- Doubtful
- DT Ed Stinson (Toe) -- Out
Prisco's Pick
The Jets are reeling at 1-4 and now face a second straight road game. The Cardinals should have Carson Palmer back this week after he missed last Thursday's game with a concussion. Jets coach Todd Bowles faces his former team here, but it doesn't matter. His team has issues. Cardinals take it.
Pick: Cardinals 28, Jets 16