Faceoff: Inspecting Jets? Tweaking Cards? For-real 'Boys?
CBSSports.com pro football writers Pete Prisco and Clark Judge face off weekly throughout the season.
| Pete Prisco | Clark Judge |
| Jets loss to the Broncos, a mulligan or sign of issues? | |
 Most will say it's a mulligan. I'll say it's a sign of issues. There are two things from that game that would concern me if I were a Jets fan. The first is their inability to play the pass. We know the Jets are good against the run with Kris Jenkins clogging up in the middle, but they've had trouble with teams that can throw -- they are 30th in the league against the pass. Jay Cutler threw for 367 yards last week against them and the Jets had no sacks. Look for that style of offense to be a blueprint against them. You can't pound it at Jenkins, so throwing it is the way to go. The other troubling thing is that Brett Favre doesn't throw the ball down the field. He has become a dink-and-dunker. In the first half against the Broncos, he was 6-for-12 for 66 yards. That's 5.5 per attempt. That number should be closer to seven. Favre still has an arm and some receiver speed outside, so the Jets need to challenge more down the field. Favre is averaging 6.9 yards per attempt, but how much of that is the run after the catch on short screen passes from players like Leon Washington? If they don't throw it down the field and don't defend the pass better, the Jets will pay come playoff time. |  I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say it's a mulligan. But I also want to make it clear that I don't trust these guys. They can beat Tennessee and New England on the road, but they can't knock off San Diego, Oakland or Denver? What's up with that? In fact, they're 1-3 against the AFC West, and that is not the sign of a team you can trust. And that's where I am with the Jets. I think they're capable of almost anything, which means they can shock someone like Tennessee or stink it up against Denver. They weren't just beaten last weekend, they were hammered. Nevertheless, they won five of their past six, so cut them some slack. The Jets are dangerous because you never know which team shows up, and some of that is a reflection of the quarterback. When he's good, they're very, very good. When he's not, they're vulnerable. My guess is we learn about this club with its next two road games -- this weekend at San Francisco and Dec. 21 at Seattle. Those are games they should win, but remember: The Jets are 0-2 on the West Coast against opponents with a combined record of 7-17. |
| Can the Cardinals win in the playoffs without a running game? | |
 I love the passing game. You know that by now if you read my stuff on a regular basis. I think you pass to score and run to win. But if the Cardinals are to have any chance in the playoffs, they must run the ball better. When Ken Whisenhunt was the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh in 2005, the Steelers won the Super Bowl. During that run to the title, the Steelers threw the ball early in their playoff games to get leads and then ran it to hold them. That's what the Cardinals need to do. They throw it way too much. As much as I enjoy watching their offense, they need to throw it early to score and then run to win. If that means giving Tim Hightower more carries, then do it. If it means putting Edgerrin James back into the lineup, then do that. They have to run it. You can't be one-dimensional and win in the NFL -- running or passing. Whisenhunt is a smart coach. He'll get that running game going the next four weeks, starting Sunday against the Rams. Kurt Warner needs it. The team needs it. |  Yes, they can win. In fact, considering they host the first-round game, I think it's probable. Now, the bigger question: Can they go deep into the playoffs? The answer there is no, and here's why: A) Because they're one-dimensional; b) because their defense has too many holes and C) because they will have to go east. The Cards went into this season wanting to run the ball but soon discovered they don't have the parts for a smash-mouth game. So they turned to their passing attack, where they are loaded with material, and that works so well that Kurt Warner is a league MVP candidate. One-dimensional teams rarely go far in the playoffs, although last year's Patriots were an exception. That club could run the ball; it just chose not to, hammering opponents with Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker instead. More the rule is that teams that can run the football and that can stop the run on defense are the clubs to watch, and Arizona is dreadful at one and so-so at the other (they rank 13th against the run). Warner is terrific, but he can't overcome that. |
| Are the Cowboys back after their Thanksgiving Day massacre of the Seahawks? | |
 We'll know more by Sunday night. The Cowboys play a huge road game against the Steelers, a game I'm glad to be covering. It will be a physical war. Dallas did look good in blowing out Seattle, especially on offense. But there was something I saw in that game that still concerns me: The defense wasn't exactly stout. The Seahawks moved the football some through the air and there were open receivers. I think with Tony Romo back, the Cowboys can score and will on most teams. The Steelers aren't most defenses, so this week will be interesting. But it's the defense that would worry me if I were a Dallas fan. They have some good players -- see DeMarcus Ware -- but they seem to have issues. If the Steelers move the football well Sunday, it could be troubling because Pittsburgh is the top scoring defense in the league. The Cowboys play the Giants a week from Sunday so the next two weeks will decide if they are back or not. Don't let pounding Seattle on Turkey Day convince you they are. The next two weeks will tell us. |  I'll tell you after this weekend. This is the litmus test for a team that seems to have regained its balance and rediscovered the end zone. But I'd be careful. The Cowboys' last two wins were home against San Francisco and Seattle, and they should win those games. They don't have to apologize for the schedule; just take advantage of it. And they did. But now they're in for a grind, beginning with Sunday's game at Pittsburgh. The Steelers are one of the three best teams I've seen this season, and they will attack Dallas as neither San Francisco nor Seattle could. Together the Seahawks and 49ers have 48 sacks; Pittsburgh has 42, and, when in doubt, always, always, always trust Dick LeBeau's defense -- particularly against a team like Dallas that has protection issues. If Tony Romo buys time he can exploit the Steelers' secondary, but how does he outrun James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley? Run from one and you run into the other, and I'm sorry, but Harrison vs. Flozell Adams is a mismatch. Also keep this in mind: Under Romo the past two seasons, Dallas is 4-7 in December and January. |
