New York Jets

Arizona Cardinals: 5 bold predictions vs New York Jets

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during a NFL game at Levi

The Arizona Cardinals host the New York Jets on Monday Night Football

The Arizona Cardinals play their fourth home game of the season in week six of the 2016 NFL season on Monday night. The AFC East’s New York Jets make their first appearance at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

It has been 10 days since the Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 33-21 in Santa Clara on Thursday Night Football. They’ve had time to get well, including the return of quarterback Carson Palmer.

Palmer was knocked out of the home game against the Los Angeles Rams two weeks ago with a concussion. After missing the 49ers game, Palmer was cleared from the concussion protocol this past Wednesday and returned to practice.

Also returning is linebacker Kevin Minter. He was concussed against the 49ers but was able to be cleared six days later this past Wednesday as well. The Cardinals will also have re-signed running back Kerwynn Williams with them as well. It remains to be seen if he will be active on Monday night or not.

Here are five bold predictions for the game on Monday night. The Cardinals are 2-3 while the Jets will be trying to improve on a their 1-4 record.

October 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs against San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) during the third quarter at Levi

David Johnson will have over 150 total yards from scrimmage

Carson Palmer may be back, however expect Cardinals running back David Johnson to continue his dominance from the line of scrimmage. Johnson ran for 157 yards against the 49ers last week.

The Cardinals will want to re-establish a passing game but they will not want to go away from Johnson either. He may not rush for 157 yards but his versatility should allow him to run free with the ball whether on the ground or in the air receiving the ball.

For the remainder of the season, it should be the goal of the Cardinals to get the ball into the hand of number 31 as much as possible. That means to be looking for Johnson to be getting 25-30 touches a game, even with everyone healthy.

The Jets defense is tough, so this will be no easy feat. The Cardinals believe in Johnson that much however.

Oct 2, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) prepares to throw the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Carson Palmer will throw for three touchdowns

One way of getting back into the groove is throwing touchdowns. Palmer should be able to do just that despite a tough Jets defense.

The Cardinals offense needs to wake up and get things rolling. That means Palmer throwing the ball well and his receivers catching the ball. Hopefully receiver Michael Floyd is paying attention.

Don’t be surprised if Johnson hauls in one of the three touchdown passes Palmer will throw on Monday night. However also don’t be surprised despite his struggles, if Floyd gets things going and catches a touchdown as well.

Palmer, even before injury, really hasn’t been himself. This is a good time to do so in front of a national television audience. The next two weeks really give Palmer a good shot to show people last year wasn’t an aberration.

October 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11, top) congratulates running back David Johnson (31) for scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Levi

The Cardinals will score in the first quarter

So much has been made about the Cardinals being the only remaining NFL team not to score in the first quarter this season. They’ve come close a couple of times but it gets re-hashed every week.

I always say it doesn’t matter how you start, its how you finish. Look at the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They didn’t score in the first quarter then and ended up putting up 40.

Last week against the 49ers the Cardinals didn’t score until just before halftime and still ended putting up 33. People just need to be patient.

However that being said, it would be a breath of fresh air to see the Cardinals score early and not have to put so much pressure on the situation later in the game.

In the end though it doesn’t matter how they get there. Just beat the opponent by at least one point. That’s all that matters in the NFL.

Oct 9, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of their game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won, 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Fitzpatrick will throw two interceptions

The running joke seems to be the old ‘Oprah’ gift joke with Jets starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. You get a pick, you get pick, and you get a pick, etc.

The Cardinals defense should come up with at least two interceptions of Fitzpatrick on Monday night. Of course he’d be doing it in front of family and friends. He went to Gilbert Highland high school locally.

Fitzpatrick will also be without receiver Eric Decker who went on injured reserve this week. He will still have receiver Brandon Marshall. However if the Cardinals have done their homework, there should no reason why the Cardinals defense shouldn’t be able to feast on Fitzpatrick.

I would also expect the Cardinals pass rush to create havoc as well. That certainly could lead to the Cardinals picks. What goes with a good pass rush? Sacks. The Cardinals could also generate some sacks of Fitzpatrick. Either way, he should give it up at least a couple of times in the air.

October 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Levi

The Cardinals will defeat the Jets 31-21

The Cardinals will score no doubt. It will be a matter of how much will they give up. Although they will likely grab some turnovers, they still give up big plays from time to time.

Despite the inability of Fitzpatrick at times, he can still generate some offense as well. He also has running back Matt Forte available.

In the end, a national television audience, a home crowd hungry to see a win by the Cardinals at home and a team hungry to win at home, the Cardinals should come away with the victory.

It will be a nice lead in to Sunday Night Football next week against the Seattle Seahawks, whom the Cardinals haven’t defeated at home since 2012.

For now though, the important thing is to continue the winning streak against the Jets. Last week’s game was a must win and so is this one. It is a must if they want to stay with the rest of the NFC competition.