The Initial Assessment: Hostile Territory
At 4-5 the Jets find themselves in a hole that they need to climb out of if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive and what better way to do that than with a win against division rival New England? Yes, though the Jets have struggled lately they do have the talent to go out there and win but execution and perseverance will essentially determine who goes home victorious. Here is Rex Ryan who delivers a heartfelt message … again.
Quarterback: It cannot be stressed enough that Sanchez needs to learn to protect the ball and make the right decisions especially up against New England as they will take anything they can get on Sunday. That being said, Sanchez will have to make sure he knows what is going on at all times and be on top of his game. Any bets on if O’Connell will be a captain? Anyone?
Running Backs: Thomas Jones continues to run over opponents week after week and when in Foxboro that shouldn’t change much. The Patriots have come a long way from week two but its hard not to predict a good day for Jones at this point in the season no matter how many games the Jets decide to lose (besides I’m sure they will be a little more preoccupied trying to stop Cotch, Edwards, Keller and Chez). Shonn Greene was a factor against Jacksonville as he would set up Jones’ touchdown run and figures to get some time to wear down the Patriots D.
Wide Receivers: Jerricho Cotchery had a solid day against the Jags and is clearly Sanchez’s go to guy and should be available often on Sunday. With Braylon Edwards climbing aboard (since they last met) it will be interesting to see how the Patriots defense will defend these two playmakers. David Clowney should also factor into the equation but unless someone goes down with an injury his production will be limited but won’t go unnoticed if he gets New York out of a few jams.
Tight Ends: Although he was withheld a touchdown Dustin Keller seems to be getting back on the same page with Mark Sanchez and after grabbing the sole touchdown week two against the Pats, I would expect Sanchez to look for Keller quite a few times. Ben Hartsock has been quiet recently and as long as he can keep blocking without getting penalized I won’t have an issue nor will Ryan.
Offensive Line: The offensive line continues to perform and with center Nick Mangold being the anchor the line is more than stable but Sanchez could definitly use more time as the Patriots will try to employ the “get after the rookie” routine. As long as everyone can keep most pressure off Sanchez the Jets will be able to succeed.
Defensive Line: Although DeVito and Co. had their moments against Jacksonville they would come too late as MJD had already done enough damage in the first half that being said, there shouldn’t be too much of a problem as the Patriots running backs are not always consistent week after week but what they lack in running they make up for in the passing game. Still the line will need to be sharp and ready themselves for any surprises.
Linebackers: With Vernon Gholston sitting this one out (surprise, surprise), Kenwin Cummings was added on to the active roster and brought a can-win attitude with him but whether he acts on it (or if the Jets allow him to) is questionable. David Harris who will be wearing the headset should Leonhard be sidelined looks to see some more action and no doubt be a part of the Brady Blitz packages while Bart Scott will hopefully get a little more vocal defensively rather than employing his colorful vocab. Pace, Thomas and Westerman figure to be also get in on the pressure and can hopefully break the Patriots offensive line early and often.
Defensive Backs: There has been big hype surrounding the one-on-one between Revis and Moss but don’t worry Jets fans Revis knows how to take care of buisness and I believe week two couldn’t have done a much better job of emplifying that. Dwight Lowery appeared to take two steps back last week and the presence of Lito Sheppard didn’t exactly do much for the team but for now I imagine Ryan starting Lowery based on his solid performance save the Jacksonville game. It will be a huge test for Lowery as he will probably be put against Welker but as long as he can keep up, I think it will be possible for him to succeed.
Donald Strickland also hasn’t been up to par lately but will play a major role on defense as should Drew Coleman who has seemingly turned around under the Ryan regime. Jim Leonhard is questionable and it would be a major blow to lose him but Eric Smith is good enough to fill in and will need to be on the mark as he was week two. Kerry Rhodes has been struggling the past few weeks and I’m beginning to question whether or not he belongs on the field but with that said he isn’t exactly tanking and with this being a rivalry I’d imagine everyone is stepping up their game.
Special Teams: They recovered nicely and were able to shut down returns mainly due to Brad Smith who was quite vocal after returning from his injuries. As long as Smith and all the right players are activated, I see no problems here. Jay Feely is still going strong and after getting 95% of the points during the previous meeting, I would expect Feely to be ready for anything. Steve Weatherford may be of good use this week just in case the Jets need to use some trickery but don’t expect too much except for a few good punts when need be.
Filed under: Main Page, Opinion
Jets win
21-17
Jets lose
31-21
i hate loud mouths they should not even be there when you are the jets network and talk about the team like they are trash it makes me not even want to look at sny if carlin if i had the money i would buy it and fire the whole staff you should pump us up not make us feel like our team is worthless sny fu,,,,k you im not watching anymore all you do is put the jets down and make the fans feel like its not worth watching it should be the yankess giants network
If the Jets get blown out will Rex Cryan break down again??? Seriously, if the Jets aren’t at least in it untill the very end then Rex looks like a fool…..
Lets let the team prove it on Sunday………..
I’m telling you, we arent going to lose, and if we do, its not gonna be by much.
We match up very well with the Pats. Last 4 yrs, we are 3-4 vs the Pats.
the jets are going to win and shut everybody up if brady ever needed a blow jb all he has to do is call the new york media oh brady this oh brady that even when he makes a mistake oh just look how he threw that interception it wasn’t his fault the receiver was totally wrong if brady played for the jets he never would be that good cause our negative media will destroy him before he could even throw a passi live in va. and the redskins are doing bad but every time they go play redskins network dont put them down they always give them a chance to win
Our media sucks, we all know it.
Its because Jackass fans like Hank, and Fonzie eat it up.
Joe Bedingo or however he spells his name, is by far the worst Jet fan in the history of jet fans and he is in the media and eats it up more then anyone.
I mean its pretty sad that our media is running a rookie HC and a rookie QB out of town already.
i definently agree with johnny reefer and tyrone OUR MEDIA SUCKS and i truely believe the jets will win this game and shut the HATERS UP!
its because the ownership dont have the balls to attack them there is always a way to break anything down and that by not givin in to them i pay direct tv for sny thats xtra and nfl package so i could see the jets every time they play i believe the best annoucer at sny is gary apple cause he always protects the mets and jets hes the only one tieranny badingo all are phony fans ive been a jets fan since i was a kid i even had a joe namath uniform that cost back then 10.99 so i dont understand they attitude
@tyrone
I knew that everybody on SNY would be ripping the jets which is why i did not even bother to watch it.Somebody tell Adam Schein to shut up!.He said the jets would be a WC team this year and he’s ripping them more than anybody right now.Way to jump off the wagon
I know they probably won’t do this but I’d like to see Revis on Welker and Lowery on Moss with Rhodes rolled to that side to help deep. Welker feasts every week on single coverage by nickle backs. He’s a very good player, but he definitely benefits from the system. I’d like to see how he does against a real cover CB with the ability to jam him. I suspect Revis would shut him down entirely. Moss’s biggest threat is down the field, and you can minimize that by giving deep safety help. Lowery is also strong enough to jam Moss on his release, especially when he knows there’s deep help. If the Jets shut down the short slants, drags and screens to Welker and avoid big plays to Moss, they’ll be in good shape. Let Moss get 8-10 catches for 100 yards on Lowery with short and medium range passes. The Jets can survive that.
Oh, yeah. If it’s second and long, it’s going to be a draw to Faulk.
new york media is a joke and SNY is a waste of airtime……only decent one is Ray Lucas……he backs up the jets and doesnt bash them left and right like everyone else……..hey beningo, stop whining
It will be a tough and close game. Hostile environment indeed. I really hope the Jets win. Plus it would give me another chance to rake on the Pats fans that I know. And shut up all the people who said the Jets have no shot. Like Beningo.
Jeez, Tyrone, get that “.” key fixed, you’re giving me a headache! We probably wont lose by much, 10 points max. It’ll be a turnover or two that makes the difference, as usual. People should also ease up on the media. They were going gaga in week 3 when both the Giants and Jets were 3-0, and I didnt hear anyone complaining about them then. Fact is, the Jets have done nothing to deserve praise in the ensuing weeks and should have to answer for their shortcomings. Does it put more pressure on them? Sure does, but its the price you pay to play in New York.
Have re-watched the few Michigan-OSU games recently and paid close attention to Gholston during these games. Wow I am even more shocked that he was a top 10 pick. He looks the same except he will occasional use his strength to beat a guy who just sucks and has no business players D1 football.
I knew he was not great but this only makes me feel worse about him
No one knows what the final score will be, you are all just guessing and whoever gets lucky will say “i predicted it” yet no one will care because it is just a guess based on stuff everyone already knows. Why even pretend to know?
to win this time our offense must score 31 points or better.
To win this time our defense needs to shut down Moss and Welker at the same time.
the media sucks hey im a jet fan and even when they are loosing im a jet fan do you bash your kids when they dont fullfill potential you now why we should love rex ryan cause he cries just like us dont tell me a real fan does not feel very bad when he looses he who does not show respect or honor for there team isnt a real fan so fu/jkyou and the media shamik as much money i spend on directtv to support sny etc i should here positive things about the jets not things that are going to make me feel bad for them
@Led
I hear ya but the truth is moss would burn Lowery safety help or not he would end up scoring a few td’s, welker is a good player and very annoying but you can’t risk the deep ball. We gotta jam Welker at the line
Here is a heads up on the golden boy so far.
Att Comp Yds Comp % Yds/Att
Mark Sanchez— 244 130 1655 53.3 6.8
TD TD % INT INT % Long Sck
9 3.7 12 4.9 53 15
Sck/ Lost rating
127 66.5
Another telling stat is that the jets have created 16 sacks this season while sanchez has been sacked 15 times. Interesting really when you have an all-pro offensive line and they are giving you all the time in the world. The jets sack total may not reach last year’s sack total but who could blame Ryan. I mean he is the inventor of “organized chaos”. Guess Mangini’s read and react (R and R) has dominated “quelled mouth”.
Tyrone
Please use some punctuation. Hard on the eyes.
I miss Jenk
the jets will win on sunday
eat the ball…..shorten the game…… will get brady and beli-schmuck off their games…
only chance to win is to eat the ball like the titans game last year….
u do that u win 24-20…. u dont….u lose 37-17
Greg, if you got nothing to say why are you posting?
Yeah its the media and long suffering fans fault this team is playing like crap, thats the ticket.
“though the Jets have struggled lately they do have the talent to go out there and win”
Really? Without Jenkins, Leon and Leonhard, ya think?
“Jim Leonhard is questionable and it would be a major blow to lose him but Eric Smith is good enough to fill in”.
This one scares me beyong belief.
Patriots 52 – 16.
Wise Old — I was venting my frustration at those in the media and comment boards that make empty ‘predictions’.
Unless you were quizzing me on why you were posting with nothing to say…
Sorry Wise Old if you thought my post was about nothing, but I did have a point and it was mostly geared toward the media.
My point is that I am so tired of analysts on television giving their opinions on the future — I miss the days of their hard analysis of what is going on now. I think it is so watered down now, there are 20 networks showing football highlights and three or four ‘analysts’ on each show giving pre-game predictions on what will happen and why, and it’s just a joke. There are maybe five NFL analysts whose opinions I respect, and even they can’t tell you a final score with any accuracy. It’s hot air and it’s gotten so out of hand. What was once a Warner Wolf joke at the end of his segments has become commonplace for analysts, weathermen, fans, et al trying to prove they know the future. Enough already. No one is ‘good’ at NFL picks, except my grandmother who wins the pool she is in constantly. Maybe Mike Francesa can explain that instead of telling me why the Browns have a good chance for a back-door cover this week, and then say he was right if only the call went the other way.
Jets 23 – Patriots 19
I hate this team. I’m giving up and have just accepted the team’s fate as always mediocre
Jets aint losing 52-16. Please…
Fonzie- so Sanchez’s athleticism has nothing to do with the fact he has only been sacked 15 times. I guess you dont watch the games, bc you make it sound like he drops back, puts his thumb up his butt, drinks a beer and throws to his reciever. The kid BUYS extra time with his feet.
Looks like “quelled mouth” defense has given up less pts, TDs and yards than Mangini’s R and R. All stats that are more important than sacks!!!
We all know you hate Sanchez and Rex, but come up with an argument that doesnt have as many holes as your underwear
Fonzie- I forgot to add, you have more opportunities for sacks when your defense cant get off the field. Sure the Jets would get a sack last year on 2nd down and the R and R would give it right back to them on 3rd and long.
Sacks mean nothing unless it results in a turnover or punt!!! FOOTBALL 101
Eddie,
Sanchez’ sacks are a result of a good offensive line. This team is in disarray with a crying coach.
I’m done.
lajetfan
I didnt say he didnt have a good offensive line, its obvious if you watch the games though, that the kid can move around a little bit, otherwise he would be sacked more. My point was that on the occasion when the rush gets through, Sanchez has scrambled and bought extra time to throw with his legs.
You could have the greatest offensive line in the world, but you can only hold up blocks for so long.
Im not saying Sanchez is the best QB ever, but its undeniable he is a good athlete that can buy extra time with his feet. I have all the games DVRed, Ive seen it, the proof is on film, end of story.
I really dont care if you are done or not, if you think the team is in disarray, that wasnt my point. But I just hope if this team starts winning next year that you are no part of being a Jet fan
Lajetfan,
nobody cares if your done, but be done if you wanna be.
I’m not, rookie headcoach, new defensive scheme, rookie QB. two big injuries and we still lost 4 out of the 5 games on the last drive.
Better then being a browns fan.
Greg, I concur and apologize, bad attempt at being snarky funny. You are absolutely correct about predictions, including mine this week.
No one knows, but the talking heads on TV insist they do and no one holds them accountable.
Someone should start a web site dedicated to grading these experts, gather all thier words of wisdom in one location and you will see most if not all of them being embarrassed into retirement.
I stick with my armegeddon prediction, Pats 52-16, but it really means nothing other than a numeric description of my belief that the Jets are going to get blown out of Foxboro this afternoon.
IF they Jets surprise me and beat the spread, I will eat crow and reward everyone by not commenting again until the draft, hows that for something to root for?
Wise – Personally, I’d prefer to see you stick around than disappear, especially if the team is outperforming your expectations. It would be good if they could give you something to feel more positive about.
You done now?
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[...] Running Backs: Thomas Jones continues to run over opponents week after week and when in Foxboro that shouldn’t change much. The Patriots have come a long way from week two but its hard not to predict a good day for Jones at this point … Tight Ends: Although he was withheld a touchdown Dustin Keller seems to be getting back on the same page with Mark Sanchez and after grabbing the sole touchdown week two against the Pats, I would expect Sanchez to look for Keller quite …Click Here [...]