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Jets at Cardinals: 3 things we learned

By John Buhler

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) rus for a touchdown in the first half against the New York Jets at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) rus for a touchdown in the first half against the New York Jets at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Cardinals defeated the New York Jets on Monday Night Football in Week 6, 28-3. Here are the three biggest takeaways from the game.

The Arizona Cardinals move to 3-3 on the year by knocking off the New York Jets on Monday Night Football in Week 6, 28-3. New York is falling apart at the seams. The Jets have stumbled to a 1-5 start this year. New York finished at a respectable 10-6 only a season ago.

Week 6 is in the books and we were able to learn a few things from the final game on the schedule. Here are the three biggest takeaways from the Cardinals’ convincing victory over the Jets on Monday Night Football.

1. David Johnson, ladies and gentlemen…

Because the Cardinals aren’t a national football brand, running back David Johnson flew under the radar in his rookie season in 2015. Well, that’s not the case any more, as Johnson might be the best tailback in the NFC not named Ezekiel Elliott.

Johnson ran the football 22 times for 111 yards and three touchdowns. He would add 27 yards through the air on three catches. The former tailback for the Northern Iowa Panthers is poised to rush for over 1,000 yards this season and make his first trip to the Pro Bowl.

He is the bell-cow back that the Cardinals offense can lean on in 2016. The Cardinals’ passing game isn’t always smooth with a lot of moving pieces. If Johnson can pick up big yards on the ground, this will be a very difficult team to beat when Arizona is firing on all cylinders.

2. The Jets are the worst team in the AFC

The Jets have fallen off a cliff in 2016. They are 1-5 and could arguably be the worst team in football. There are some really bad teams in the NFC like the Carolina Panthers, the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers, all 1-5. One of those three teams might be worse than New York.

However through Week 6, the Jets are the worst team in the AFC. Yes, the Cleveland Browns are 0-6, but they are bereft of talent and still play hard for first-year head coach Hue Jackson. With the Miami Dolphins beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6 to move to 2-4 on the year, the Jets look worse than everybody in the AFC.

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Offensively, they are listless with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. New York struggles to run the football with Matt Forte. Outside of Brandon Marshall at wide receiver, what’s the point of watching the Jets go to work on offense? It doesn’t matter how rough the Jets’ schedule was at the start of the year, this team stinks.

3. The Cardinals might still be a playoff-caliber team

The Cardinals are 3-3 on the year after their home blowout of the Jets in Week 6. After floundering to 1-3 in their first four games, Arizona might still be good enough in 2016 to make the NFC Playoffs.

We’ll know a lot more about this year’s Cardinals team after how they look against their NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football in Week 7. Seattle is the division leader and probably the better of the two teams when it’s all said and done.

However, Arizona should be good enough to have staying power in the NFC Wild Card picture after a slow start to the season. The Cardinals will have to compete with teams like the Washington Redskins, the Green Bay Packers, and the Philadelphia Eagles for the final two NFC Playoff spots.

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Arizona plays great defense and might have enough offense firepower to play another game or two in January.

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