They certainly didn't seem interested in competing last Sunday against the Vikings, losing 35-14 at home. The Cardinals clinched the NFC West title the week before and supposedly were interested in improving their playoff seeding.

But on Sunday, they looked like a team that was a product of a weak division. Like the Vikings, the Cardinals were 8-5 entering the game, but that's where the similarities ended.

The Vikings can run the ball and they can rush the passer. The Cardinals are having a hard time doing either one.

More ominous, the Cardinals don't seem much interested in finishing strong. They've lost three of their past four overall and they've lost their past four games against teams with winning records.

The Cardinals don't have a victory over a winning team since beating Dallas on Oct. 12.

"I just know one thing," said defensive end Darnell Dockett. "We better get our (expletive) together. If we want to make a run in the playoffs and make some noise, we better get better."

The Cardinals will be tested again Sunday by the Patriots, who haven't clinched a playoff bid.

"I think we're aware of the fact that we've clinched and that playoff game is the one that's most important," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "We've wanted to improve our seed. You try to make that your motivation. I think now our motivation becomes playing better football. You don't want to go in (the playoffs) losing football games. But more important, you don't want to go in not playing your best football."