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The Jets return to the MetLife Stadium field today, 10 days after embarrassing themselves there on Thanksgiving against the Patriots.
This one should be a bit easier for the Jets. The Cardinals come to New Jersey today with the same 4-7 record as the Jets. But Arizona has lost a seven in a row after starting the season 4-0.
The Jets enter the game knowing they probably are not going to make the playoffs, but their only glimmer of hope is winning their final five games. That stretch includes no teams with a winning record, which provides some hope.
“Guys are excited just knowing these next five games are crucial to our success and crucial to making the postseason,” quarterback Mark Sanchez said. “I think we have the right mindset: Just take it one at a time, really focus on ourselves and avoid beating ourselves like we have in the past.”
That starts with Sanchez, who has 41 turnovers in the past two seasons. The Cardinals are woeful on offense (31st in the NFL) but are one of the better defenses in the league (No. 7). The Jets could get into trouble if they turn the ball over.
On the flip side, this should be the perfect antidote to the Tom Brady Blues for the Jets defense. The Cardinals’ quarterback situation is a mess. Rookie Ryan Lindley is expected to start today. He threw four interceptions last week against the Rams, two that were returned for touchdowns.
The Jets expect the Cardinals to be run-heavy with some play-action passes for Lindley. They are salivating at the chance of confusing the rookie into turning the ball over.
“You see what the Rams did to them,” Jets safety Yeremiah Bell said. “Make them turn the ball over like that, and pretty much they were playing vanilla coverages. When we disguise and start moving around, hopefully we can confuse him a little and make him throw us a couple.”
A look inside the game:
MARQUEE MATCHUP
Cardinals ILB Daryl Washington vs. Jets pass protection. Washington’s production is remarkable from the inside linebacker spot. He has nine sacks this season. With one more, he will become the fourth inside linebacker ever to have double-digit sacks, and the first since 2001.
The Jets’ offensive line has done a better job of protecting QB Mark Sanchez lately. It’s not just on them to keep Sanchez safe. The running backs must protect him, too. Washington moves around and will keep the Jets guessing where he is coming from.
“You just need to know where this guy is,” Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano said. “He’s had some run-through sacks where he’s just come through clean, so communication has got to be pretty good. … Because they bring him outside or they get him inside, they can get him on a back, too, and get him in some of those scenarios. [He is a] fast guy, can run really well, so when he gets you on the edge, he can beat you.”
RHODES’ RETURN
Kerry Rhodes spent five seasons with the Jets but was shipped out by Jets coach Rex Ryan after the 2009 season. Ryan made his feelings clear in his book “Play Like You Mean It.” He called Rhodes a “selfish-ass guy” and questioned the safety’s work ethic.
Now, here comes Rhodes, who took the high road this week when asked about Ryan. You know he would love nothing more than to return to New York and pick off Sanchez in a big spot to show up Ryan.
THE JOY OF SACKS
The Jets have gotten very little pressure on the quarterback this year, something Ryan admitted this week is “alarming.” The Jets enter the game with 17 sacks, led by Bryan Thomas with 2 ½. The franchise record for fewest sacks in a 16-game season is 22, set in 1978 and ’79.
The Cardinals have two rookies on the offensive line along with a center making his first start of the season. If the Jets can’t get pressure on this line, they should ask Mark Gastineau to come back.
GREAT RETURNS
The Jets’ special teams units have had their issues this season, and now here comes Cardinals punt returner Patrick Peterson. The second-year player has not duplicated his success as a rookie when he returned four punts for touchdowns, but he still is dangerous.
“He’s legit,” Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff said. “He’s the real deal. He’s as sudden as anyone I’ve ever seen.”
This season, Peterson is averaging 8.4 yards a return with a long of 26, as teams have tried to avoid punting to him. Expect the Jets to angle every punt toward the sideline.
HOLD ONTO THE BALL
The Jets have emphasized ball security this week after their five turnover performance against the Patriots. The Jets have 22 turnovers this year. Only the Chiefs, Eagles and Cowboys have more.
The coaches spent extra time this week working with skill position players on how they carry the ball. They have shown them video on protecting the ball and given them personal assessments of how they have done.
The Cardinals have caused 23 turnovers this year. The quickest way for the Jets to lose this game is to give the Cardinals’ offense good field position or allow their defense to score.
brian.costello@nypost.com