Cardinals far from underestimating Aaron Rodgers, Jets despite record

Nov 7, 2024, 7:15 PM

Cardinals reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

TEMPE — Let’s call how it is: The 3-6 New York Jets look all over the place ahead of a Week 10 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Nearly a month removed from firing former head coach Robert Saleh, New York heads into its matchup coming off its first win since Week 3.

Even after their 21-13 victory over the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football, it’s unclear which Jets squad is going to show up to State Farm Stadium:

The one that can beat a playoff contender like the AFC South-leading Texans? Or the one that couldn’t pull out a win over the then-1-6 New England Patriots?

Either way, the Cardinals aren’t taking any chances with a team with plenty of talent on both sides of the ball and led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

“He’s been playing the game for many, many years. We understand that and we have a great game plan that we feel is going to help us possibly win, but we understand who he is,” safety Budda Baker said Thursday. “He likes to do everything except run. Throwing it in the core, throwing it outside the numbers, the accuracy he throws with is truly something special. Just to be able to watch it on film, it’s definitely something you see and you’re like not many QBs — if any — can do that.

“Aaron Rodgers is who he is for a reason, one of the best QBs to play this game. I’m excited, we’re all excited for the opportunity to go against him and play against some of the best receivers in this league as well. Definitely something special. We’re looking forward to it, excited. We’re grind throughout the week and let it rip on Sunday.”

Back healthy from his Achilles tendon tear in 2023, Rodgers is seventh in the league in both passing yards (2,107) and touchdowns (seven) with a 62.3% completion percentage. He’s thrown seven interceptions.

He’s seen a slight uptick in production since the Saleh departure, too, with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 8-3 and an uptick in passing percentage at 64.2%.

Rodgers in his own right can cause defenders nightmares with both his physical and mental traits. Give him some of the weapons he currently has and things can get sideways in a hurry if a defense isn’t careful.

Davante Adams’ name might carry more weight at the NFL level — especially when he’s paired with Rodgers — but it’s Garrett Wilson who is leading New York’s wide receivers room with his big-play ability.

The 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year is headed for career marks across multiple statistical categories this season behind 60 catches (first among NFL pass catchers), 663 receiving yards (third) and five touchdowns (tied for seventh). He’s up to 35 receiving first downs (first) and 11 receiving plays of at least 20 yards (tied for fifth).

It would be hard not to look his way when he’s out there making catches like the one he had in New York’s win over Houston that had just about everyone’s jaw slammed to the ground in amazement.

(after review) HOLY ONE-HAND GARRETT FREAKING WILSON TOUCHDOOOOOWN❕❕❕#HOUvsNYJ on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/htLVwK7TA6

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 1, 2024

“That’s probably one of the best catches I’ve definitely seen,” Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who played with Wilson at Ohio State in 2021, said Wednesday.

“I’ve seen him make plenty of catches. That’s probably the best one I’ve seen him make, though.”

As for Adams, he’s working himself into a more prominent role offensively after a midseason trade sent him from Las Vegas to New York.

After recording 84 yards on seven catches combined the first two weeks as a Jet, he turned up the heat last week with seven catches for 91 yards and a score.

That old Green Bay connection with Rodgers looks like its rounding back into form just in time for Arizona.

Toss in a ground game that features versatile running backs Breece Hall and Braelon Allen and there’s plenty to defend for the Cardinals on Sunday.

The true star to New York’s show

The Jets offense gets the majority of the publicity given who’s under center. But in the grand scheme of things, the unit has been average at best in passing yards (221), rushing yards (87.7) and points per game (19) in 2024.

On the other side of the ball, it’s nearly the complete opposite.

“I think as a team, their record doesn’t represent how good of a team they are, how talented they are,” quarterback Kyler Murray said Wednesday when asked about the defense. “They have all-pro guys over there. I think they dominated the Texans last week. … We understand the challenge ahead of us. We have to have a great week of practice. We have to go out there and execute. We know they’re a good team.

“Again, I don’t think their record really represents how good of a team they are and how good they can play. I’m excited for the challenge. We have to go out there and have a good week.”

Allowing the second fewest passing yards (158.2) and 10th fewest points per game (20.3) while coming in tied for second in fewest touchdowns given up (two) and tied for second in sacks (31), the Jets defense has been consistent more times than not when defending the pass.

The two names impacting the quarterback the most for New York are pass rusher Will McDonald IV and cornerback Sauce Gardner.

McDonald sits third in the league in sacks (9.0) and fifth in total quarterback pressures (41), per NFL Next Gen Stats.

Gardner on the other hand isn’t having the same type of statistical success as McDonald — one sack, 30 tackles, four passes defensed — but has clearly earned the respect of his NFL peers.

New York’s run defense, however, has been an issue for New York nine games. Allowing the fifth most touchdowns in 2024 (11) and sitting 12th in rushing yards allowed per game (132.6), there’s success to be had for a run-heavy team like the Cardinals coming off an impressive Week 9 effort.