By the beginning of the fourth quarter Sunday, State Farm Stadium had turned into a party. Jets fans trickling toward the exits, Cardinals fans dancing in their seats as players sung along to songs playing over the loudspeakers.

The Cardinals are not considered a top-level defense, but they shut down the Jets’ alleged vaunted offense that thought they found themselves in their Thursday night win over the Texans. Arizona came into the game ranked 19th in total defense and 24th in passing defense. The Jets made the Cardinals look like they’re top 5.

If the Arizona Cardinals were truly going to make believers out of the folks who’ve been sitting on the fence, waiting to see more, Sunday’s game against the visiting New York Jets was their time to shine. It was a chance to claim a fourth straight win ...