Despite being billed as an offensive shootout between Brett Favre and Kurt Warner this game will probably be decided on defense.  Both of these teams are allowing under 300 yards per game this season so turnovers could decide this game.  The Jets would like to run a balanced offense against the Cardinals and for that to happen Thomas Jones will need to have a good game.  If Jones gets going running the football then Brett Favre should have the needed time to throw the football down the field to WRs Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery and Chansi Stuckey.

The Cardinals have been running the ball more than throwing it the first three weeks but look for that to change against the Jets who are allowing 211.3 yards passing per game while only allowing 86.7 yards rushing on 3.1 ypc this year.  The Jets have 8 sacks this season and the Cardinals have allowed 7 sacks so look for the Jets to be bringing the heat against Kurt Warner.  Still, Jets’ CBs could be in deep trouble trying to match up with WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin of the Cardinals.

PREDICTION:  ARIZONA CARDINALS 23, NEW YORK JETS 21

The Cardinals are being rewarded for starting the right QB so far this season.  Kurt Warner has completed 54 of 84 passes (64.3%) for 750 yards with 6 TD passes and 1 interception (111.7 QB Rating).  The Cardinals are averaging 23.7 points per game and 347.7 total yards of offense per game this season.  Look for the numbers to even spike more if the Cardinals decide to start throwing the football more.  Regardless of what happens the rest of the year with Kurt Warner he definately deserves to be the starting QB over Matt Leinart who is starting to look like he’s a bust.

The Cardinals just came up a little bit short against the Redskins last Sunday in Washington.  Kurt Warner completed 16 of 30 passes for 192 yards with 2 TD passes and 1 interception.  Edgerrin James was busy in this game as he carried the ball 18 times for 93 yards (5.2 ypc) and he also caught 2 passes for 15 yards (7.5 avg).  Tim Hightower also got his work in as he carried the ball 5 times for 23 yards (4.6 ypc) and he also caught 3 passes for 38 yards (12.7 avg).  Larry Fitzgerald had a big game in leading the Cardinals in receiving with 109 yards on 7 catches (15.6 avg) with a TD.  The Cardinals finished up with 116 yards rushing on 23 carries (5.0 ypc) and they also completed 17 of 31 passes for 197 yards.

The defense let the Cardinals down in the end of this football game and it cost them.  LBs Gerald Hayes (13 tackles) and Karlos Dansby (9 tackles, sack) both had solid games to lead the defense.  The Redskins finished up with 136 yards rushing on 31 carries (4.4 ypc) and they also completed 23 of 31 passes for 187 yards.  The Cardinals are now 2-1 on the season.

The Redskins have won six in a row against the Cardinals including 17-13 at Arizona last year.  But, this Cardinals team is a different animal this season as they are 2-0 having outscored their opponents 54-23 this year.  True, the 49ers and Dolphins aren’t anywhere near as good as the Redskins are…..but no one can deny that the Cardinals still look pretty good this season.  Despite having Kurt Warner and a great corps of WRs the Cardinals erun the ball more than they throw it.  Edgerrin James and rookie Tim Hightower could find some running room against the Redskins’ defense.  But make no mistake, the Cardinals are going to challenge the pass defense of the Redskins with Kurt Warner (128.5 QB Rating), Larry Fitzgerald (9 rec, 184 yards) and Anquan Boldin (14 rec, 222 yards, 3 TDs).

The Cardinals’ defense looks much improved this season but the Redskins play a physical brand of football that could wear them down.  Clinton Portis (180 yards rushing) will be the focal point of the offense for the Redskins in this football game.  If Portis has a decent game that will open up the play action passing game for the Redskins with speedsters Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El.

PREDICTION:  WASHINGTON REDSKINS 27, ARIZONA CARDINALS 24

The Cardinals dominated this football game yesterday.  Kurt Warner turned back the clock as he completed 19 of 24 passes for 361 yards with 3 TD passes and 0 interceptions.  Matt Leinart got in at garbage time and he completed 1 of 2 passes for 15 yards.  Edgerrin James found yards hard to come by against the Dolphins as he carried the ball 18 times for 55 yards (3.1 ypc).  Rookie RB Tim Hightower pitched in with 24 yards rushing on 10 carries (2.4 ypc) and he scored on a 1-yard TD run.  Larry Fitzgerald had a great game catching 6 passes for 153 yards (25.5 avg) yesterday.  But, this was Anquan Boldin’s day as he caught 6 passes for 140 yards (23.3 avg) with three of the receptions (79 yards, 3 yards, 8 yards) going for TDs!  The Cardinals finished up with 81 yards rushing on 31 carries (2.6 ypc) and they also completed 20 of 26 passes for 364 yards.

The Defense was outstanding in this game for the Cardinals.  Linebacker Karlos Dansby (8 tackles) and CB Roderick Hood (6 tackles) led the way for the Cardinals yesterday.  The Dolphins finished up with 72 yards rushing on 24 carries (3.0 ypc) and they also completed 17 of 32 passes for 164 yards.  The Cardinals are now 2-0 on the season.