They had a decent pass rush in the first two games, but that's when defensive end Bertrand Berry was healthy. He had three sacks in the first three games but is going to miss a few weeks at least with a torn groin muscle.

Against the Jets last Sunday, the Cardinals could never put pressure on Brett Favre. They sacked him twice, but only after he had plenty of time to throw.

The Cardinals thought they had enough depth on defense to compensate for any injuries. And that depth will be tested now. Defensive end/outside linebacker Travis LaBoy, who starts ahead of Berry, was shut down by the Jets. So were outside linebackers Clark Haggans and Chike Okeafor.

Defensive ends Antonio Smith and Darnell Dockett aren't getting much of a rush, either, although Dockett has been disruptive at times.

Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast isn't blitzing as much, and many of the blitzes he's using are being picked up.

The Cardinals defense talked a lot this off-season about all the playmakers they had. Well, many of them haven't made plays. Inside linebacker Karlos Dansby hasn't made much of an impact. Strong safety Adrian Wilson missed the Jets game with a sore hamstring. Dockett, who made the Pro Bowl a year ago, is coping with double-teams.

What hurts more are the mental breakdowns the team has suffered at times. There have been some blown gap assignments and coverage mistakes. If the Cardinals are going to make the playoffs this year, they had better become a more dangerous, and more efficient, defensive unit.

SERIES HISTORY: 9th meeting. The Bills lead, 5-3. The Bills have won the last four, dating to 1986. The teams have met in Arizona just once before, in 1999. They last played in 2004 in Buffalo, a game the Bills won, 38-14. The Cardinals haven't beaten the Bills since 1984. The Cardinals won three of the first four meetings with Buffalo.