GLENDALE, Ariz.
— In recent weeks, the Arizona Cardinals have displayed a revitalized performance, clinching three consecutive victories for the first time since 2021, which has positioned them at the top of the NFC West standings.
This surge in performance comes as the New York Jets also seem to have regained their momentum following an impressive victory last week.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers acknowledged that last week’s 21-13 triumph against the Texans provided his team with a much-needed surge of confidence after a challenging five-game losing skid, yet he emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and consistent effort.
“The key for young players to learn is that consistency begins the moment you arrive,” explained Rodgers. “Everything needs to be purposeful, including the conversations you engage in, the time you report to work, and the manner in which you document notes.”
Now sitting with a record of 3-6, the Jets are set to take on the Cardinals, who hold a 5-4 record, this Sunday.
Coming off a notable 29-9 victory, the Cardinals showcased dominance in all aspects of the game. They currently lead the division by a half-game over the 49ers and Seahawks.
Quarterback Kyler Murray expressed his admiration for Rodgers and echoed a similar sentiment about consistency, cautioning his team against becoming complacent.
Before the team’s recent struggles, Murray led the Cardinals to a 10-2 record in 2021, only to see their playoff hopes dashed with a poor finish and a loss to the Rams in the wild-card round.
“It’s tempting to focus on standings and future scenarios, but we have enough experience to know that such distractions should not influence our current performance,” noted Murray.
In another notable development, Rodgers, 40, returned to practice on a Wednesday for the first time in weeks after facing injuries related to his knee, ankle, and hamstring.
Displaying improved mobility against Houston, Rodgers had a difficult start, completing only 7 of 14 passes for a mere 32 yards in the first half, his lowest total in such a situation throughout his career.
Nonetheless, he rallied, finishing with 22 completions on 32 attempts for 211 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Garrett Wilson.
“I felt like that was probably my best performance,” Rodgers stated. “The second half was a tremendous improvement. When our team operates in unison, we create opportunities. Throughout this season, I’ve often questioned why we don’t have everyone aligned, but we finally showed that cohesiveness in the last game.”
As for Arizona, their defensive capabilities have been under scrutiny this season, yet they managed a commendable performance against the Bears, sacking rookie Caleb Williams six times and only allowing Chicago to score three field goals.
Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort was proactive during the trade deadline and acquired linebacker Baron Browning from the Broncos to strengthen a defense hampered by injuries.
The challenge ahead will be to contain Rodgers.
“You can’t outsmart him, and you won’t overpower him; instead, you must do your best to disrupt him and maintain strong defense in the backfield,” said Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon.
On the Jets’ front, Haason Reddick, following a prolonged holdout that extended through the offseason and into the first seven games, is regaining his pass-rushing capabilities.
A former Cardinal, Reddick recorded his first half-sack for New York last week, contributing to the team’s remarkable performance with eight quarterback pressures and helping sack Houston’s quarterback C.J. Stroud eight times.
“He’s progressively getting closer to optimal football shape while also understanding our defensive schemes better,” commented Jets coach Jeff Ulbrich about Reddick’s improvement. “He has learned and corrected mistakes from his debut game against the Patriots.”
Wilson and Davante Adams have shown how their dynamic presence can elevate the Jets’ offense in the latter part of the season.
Wilson had nine catches for 90 yards and two spectacular one-handed touchdowns, while Adams secured seven receptions for 91 yards and marked his first touchdown since joining the Jets from Las Vegas.
Leading the league with 60 receptions and 94 targets, Wilson was recently named the AFC offensive player of the week, while Adams has accumulated 14 receptions for 175 yards and a touchdown over three games with the Jets.
“Protection is our top priority, providing us the chance to generate successful plays. When that’s established, teams face a dilemma,” explained Rodgers. “You can’t double-team both guys effectively, which opens opportunities for the rest of the team. They are both exceptional talents, presenting a real challenge for defenses.”