JMattera’s Gridiron Grudges – Week 10
In the NFL, matchups are key. Some of those matchups might be on the field, while others are more abstract. Each Friday, JMattera takes a look at a few crucial pieces of the upcoming game for the Jets this weekend, and how they fare against their competition or themselves …
Eric Mangini vs. the Dreaded Trap Game
The inevitable “trap game” is what awaits the NYJ this weekend at the Meadowlands. A home game against the St. Louis Rams is what’s ahead before the two big road games in New England and Tennessee. The Jets have not played great as heavy favorites at home so far this season.
Did the Jets learn their lesson about taking teams lightly since the Raiders debacle almost three weeks ago? Coach Mangini and staff must come out this weekend and prove their team’s mettle being a contender in the AFC. A step in the wrong direction will be another setback in a chase for a division championship.
However let’s not look too far ahead of ourselves here. If the Jets do not take care of business this weekend, the next two games are totally irrelevant. Mangini and staff – keep the team focused, and come out playing Jets football this Sunday!
Brian Schottenheimer vs. Establishing Thomas Jones
The NYJ finally got down to business and physically beat up the Buffalo Bills up front this past weekend. Thomas Jones has become the catalyst for the rest of the offense to develop off of. With our offensive line improving as of late, Jones should be pounded early and often against the Rams.
The passing game will open up if you establish the Jones/Leon Washington combination early in the game. Jones has 601 rushing yards including 5 touchdowns as well as 20 receptions for 104 yards including a touchdown.
Play to your strengths coach Schottenheimer – don’t make it a one week aberration, make it a formidable game plan that we can bring to the table each and every game.
Bob Sutton vs. Getting the PRESSURE on Bulger
The St. Louis Rams have given up 26 sacks to opposing teams which is approximately 3 sacks per contest. Bulger has a descent pair of wide receivers in Torry Holt and Donnie Avery, so giving him time in the pocket may hurt the Jets a bit. If they put Avery in the slot against Drew Coleman, o boy it can be a long day.
With the running game suspect due to injuries, the passing attack will be the Rams’ focal point. Steven Jackson is not 100% – so that leaves the likes of Samkon Gado, Antonio Pittman (questionable), Travis Minor (questionable), and Kenneth Darby to run the football.
There is so much uncertainty currently around the Rams’ offense because of injuries that sacking the quarterback is a vital element in the Jets defense contributing to a win this Sunday.
NY Jets vs. Being a Home Favorite
This is something the NYJ have not been able to grasp this season. In the games the Jets were home favorites by a substantial amount (New England, Cincinnati, Kansas City), they have played some of their inconsistent football games.
I read an article last week where Kerry Rhodes stated that he was glad the Jets weren’t expected to win in Buffalo, that it was nice to be an underdog for once. The NYJ coaching staff also tripped up in those games. Instead of trying to be cute and out smart other teams, the NYJ were getting away from what they do best which is a run-balanced offense.
With another 8-9 point favorite coming this weekend for the NYJ, they must be able break the hex and stay on their path previously started last weekend.
14 Responses to JMattera’s Gridiron Grudges – Week 10
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Pete57 says:
JMattera wrote: “If the Jets do not take care of business this weekend, the next two games are totally irrelevant. This isn’t week 14! If the Jets screw up and lose this game then the next 2 games are even more relevant. Not following your thought there J.
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JMattera says:
My thoughts stemmed from the idea of taking one game at a time. It becomes irrelevant if you look at those two games thinking your a 6-3 team when it reality if you lose your actually 5-4. Take care of the game at hand.
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TJBfan says:
Well the games dont become irrelevant, the approach to them does.
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Steven Jackson is probably out, if thats the case we will completely negate the run again and getting pressure on Bulger is easy… if our offense can get to 21 in this game we should take care of business… Hopefully we can rest some starters late in this one with the short week coming up
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57JETSBLITZ says:
Trung Candidate…..yeah there is an old grudge to be settled with this group. I for one am looking foward to Ram fillets sunday afternoon on the hibatchi. Let’s wash the stench of the rivalry off our beloved franshise.
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Reprocity says:
Schott didn’t start to run the ball untill after Farve threw his pick 6 in the 4th… half of TJ yards came on that one drive. I’d agree we do need a whole game from Schott and that would be a nice change.
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billvv says:
Like it or not, I think the Jets are playing against type on purpose. Trying to keep away from tendencies for later in the year. I expect to see more of that this game, preparing for the next two. So, I won’t be surprised to see more articles on Monday, bemoaning the fact that they don’t play to the type speculated here.
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Sean says:
Billvv, I hope that is not the case. They should play to their strengths and force teams to come out and stop the run and short passes. Forget about coming up with a new game plan every week. Run the ball down the Rams throats and continue to do it to everyone else. You want to come out in a Shotgun and surprise NE or Tenn for the first couple of drives, go right ahead. But then go back to your bread and butter and grind it out.
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md says:
It’s also possible to set up the run with the pass, which has worked better for the Jets. Even relatively conservative pass plays, like the quick slants that Schott has only recently rediscovered, have helped to then establish the run. The pass rushers, in trying to get to the quarterback, create running lanes and the backers and SS can’t stack the box and, equally important, have to think twice, which takes the ‘Umph’ out of their run defense. Obviously, a mix of both is ideal. But an overdetermination to set up the run first is an outdated plan. It didn’t work for Herm, and rarely, if ever, has it worked this year for the Jets.
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DSmizzle says:
The only way Gholston is going to get a sack this if someone sits on his face.
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dfb5447 says:
we must keep our eyes open, because if you dont realize we’ve had two of these types of games this season.( Well, three if you count the dreadful bengals, but thats beside the point). What happened in those games? We barely pulled a win against taylor thigpen, then lost to the sorriest program in the league since 2003(Raiders for the feeble of memory). So why isnt this considered a vital game? We win and were tied for the lead in the division no matter the outcome of pats-bills game. if we lose i predict the bad momentum will lead to a loss verse the pats on thursday with little time to recover, then drop the titans game for obvious reasons. Suddenly were 5-6 and out of the possibility of an AFC east win because of this year’s level of competition. This is a swing game if nothing else, and a must win
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Joe B. says:
I don’t even think you understand what you just didn’t say.
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ALL THINGS NY says:
Reprocity,
If you really think you will get any consistency (consistantly stinking it up does not count) from Mr. “I’d rather drive on a dirt path than a road that has been paved by history” Schottenhiemer, then you are out of your mind.
So true. TJ and Leon need to run all over them. protect the ball and force them to pass. Then we can watch Mr. Jenkins, Pace and Thomas run wild in their backfield. This may sound crazy, but I think Gholston will get his first sack in this game…