Larry Ness25* AFC/NFC Game of the YearHouston at ArizonaPlay: Arizona -5Ken Whisenhunt was widely praised for how he turned the Cardinals from one of the NFL's perennial non-contenders to within a 'hair' of beating the Steelers in last year's Super Bowl. However, it has all unraveled very quickly in 2009. The Cardinals had an awful preseason (0-4) and it's carried over into the regular season. There's been a lack of attention to detail (a popular line of self-criticism among the Cards themselves) and their problems with turnovers in the preseason have continued in the regular season. The Cardinals tied for third in the NFL last year in scoring (26.7 PPG) and then averaged 31.7 PPG during the postseason. The Cards are tied for 20th in the league with 19.0 PPG this year and their six TDs rank them tied for 27th. Can they fix those problems? While the Cards were winning their first division title in 33 years in 2008, the Texans finished 8-8 for the second straight season and enter their eighth year in the NFL still looking for the franchise's first winning season. The Texans entered last week's home contest with the Raiders allowing 28.7 PPG and ranking last in the league in rushing defense (204.7 YPG), last in yards allowed per rush (6.3) and last in rushes allowed of 20 yards or longer (7). Does it count that Houston held the Raiders to 31 yards rushing on 19 carries or that JaMarcus Russell completed just 12-of-33 passes for 128 yards and a lost fumble in a 29-6 Houston win Of course it does but the Texans are facing a desperate Arizona team here. The Cards are 1-2 and the surprising 49ers have opened 3-1 and already own a win over the Cards, in Phoenix! After an MVP-like season is 2008, Warner has yet to get untracked in 2009. He has thrown four INTs and been sacked seven times through three games with neither Fitzgerald nor Boldin providing any "highlight-reel" plays. Hightower has just 109 YR and rookie Wells just 71, as the Cards are averaging an NFL-low 60.7 YPG on the ground (3.2 YPC). However, as mentioned, the Texans have struggled against the run prior to the Oakland game. Speaking of having trouble running the ball, look at the Texans. Steve Slaton ran for 1,282 yards as a rookie (4.8 YPC / 9 TDs) but has just 192 yards (3.3 YPC) through four games, as the Texans haven't been too much better than the Cards at running the football (rank 28th at 83.0 YPG / 3.2 YPC / 1 TD). Schaub has been both good and bad in 2009. He's averaged 195 YPG through the air (one TD / two INTs) in Weeks 1 and 4 but 328.5 YPG with seven TDs and one INT in Weeks 2 and 3. The Cards were on a 10-3 ATS run at home since late in the 2007 season (including the '08 postseason) but have opened 0-2 SU and ATS in 2009. They CAN'T afford to fall to 0-3. The Houston defense is vulnerable (forget the Oakland game) and two of the team's top defenders, DE Mario Williams (shoulder) and rookie LB Brian Cushing (illness), are both questionable. Note that this situation sets up pretty nicely for the Cardinals. Schaub is just 3-10 SU (4-9 ATS) in his last 13 road starts and the Cards are 10-4 ATS in their first game back off a bye, if coming off a SU loss (were embarrassed on SNF by the Colts). The Texans offer just a "patchwork" defense and will succumb to Warner's aerial assault. Also, look for the Arizona running game to finally get going against a very weak Houston rush D. AFC/NFC Game of the Year 25* Arizona Cardinals.
