27 replies to this topic

[kelly]

w/ Bengals' Win, Jets' Playoff Odds Get Longer....

Since they're playing in the last of this week's slate of NFL games—Monday night in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans—the Jets won't have to do any scoreboard-watching while they play in prime time. They'll know exactly where they are in the AFC playoff standings.After Thursday night,their mission has become clearer, & more difficult.With their victory over theEagles,theBengals improved to 8-6,moving themselves 1½ games ahead of the Jets,who are 6-7 & clinging to the hope that they can win their final three regular-season games and earn themselves a berth in the playoffs.The Bengals are one of three teams who are ahead of the Jets in the race for the AFC's two wild-card spots. The Indianapolis Colts (9-4) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) are the others. Assuming the Jets do beat the Titans, the Chargers and the Bills, here's what would need to happen for them to overtake each team:

The Colts :
Because they beat Indianapolis earlier this season, the Jets hold the tie-breaker advantage between the two teams. If the Colts lose out, the Jets would finish ahead of them. But Indy has rookie sensation Andrew Luck at quarterback and two-win Kansas City on its schedule.

The Bengals :
The Jets need Cincinnati to lose at least one of its final two games, both of which are AFC contests. If both teams finish 9-7, the Jets again would hold the tie-breaker because they'd finish 7-5 within the conference. The Bengals would be just 6-6.

The Steelers :
Pittsburgh beat the Jets in Week 2, which means the Steelers have to finish 8-8 or worse to end up behind New York in the standings. They could help the Jets' cause by beating the Bengals on Dec. 23, but Pittsburgh would then have to lose its remaining two games.

> http://online.wsj.co...SJ_topics_obama

[kelly]

Walker's AFC East picks

The AFC East blog had a banner Week 14 by going 4-0. That brings our total record up to a stellar 34-9 predicting division games this season.

We aim to finish strong. Let’s get to another round of AFC East picks for Week 15 :

~ ~ New York Jets (6-7) at Tennessee Titans (4-9), Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET

Skinny : Don't be fooled by the Titans' record, because they are a little better than you think. The Jets have won the past two weeks with smoke and mirrors. Their playoff chances end this week.

Pick : Titans, 17-14


Last week : 4-0

Overall : 34-9

> http://espn.go.com/b...c-east-picks-15

[kelly]

Three things to watch : Jets at Titans

The New York Jets (6-7) will try to stay alive in the AFC wild-card race against the Tennessee Titans (4-9) on ESPN’s "Monday Night Football."

Here are three things to watch for New York :

1. Braylon Edwards returns : The Jets went back to the future this week and re-signed veteran receiver Edwards. New York was desperately thin at receiver and brought back Edwards, who starred for the Jets in 2009 and 2010. With rookie Stephen Hill injured, Edwards could get a solid workload in his first game back with New York. Edwards and Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez had great chemistry during their two seasons together. The Jets would benefit if Edwards can hit the ground running on Monday night.

2. Can Jets' defense dominate ? New York is 2-0 in December because its defense is playing lights out. The Jets are allowing just eight points per game the past two weeks. That takes a lot of pressure off the offense, which has done just enough to win. But New York did this against the lowly Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville Jaguars, which are two of the worst offenses in the NFL. Tennessee’s offense, with star tailback Chris Johnson, will present a stiffer challenge.

3. The Tebow factor : Backup quarterback Tim Tebow is expected to return to the field for the first time in four weeks. Jets coach Rex Ryan says Tebow will be available against Tennessee, perhaps in the Wildcat package. The Jets’ offense is struggling and needs all hands on deck.

> http://espn.go.com/b...-jets-at-titans

[kelly]

Send in the next tomato can.

The Jets, trying to continue their desperate, late-season rally, meet their third consecutive last-place opponent Monday night in Nashville. This time, it's the Titans (4-9), who have dropped three straight to put themselves on the brink of their second double digit-loss season in three years.For the Jets (6-7), hoping to reach .500 for the first time since Week 6, it's win or start planning for 2013. A loss would mathematically eliminate them from playoff contention. If the Jets win their third straight, they'd maintain a pulse into Week 16.

Kickoff is 8:30 p.m. at LP Field. What to watch for :

1. Mistake-prone QBs : So you think Mark Sanchez has a turnover problem? The Titans' Jake Locker has him beat in that department. The second-year QB has nine turnovers in the past three games -- seven interceptions and two fumbles. That's three more than Sanchez in the same span.Mistakes notwithstanding, Locker can be dangerous because he does two things well: He can escape pressure (9.9 yards per scramble) and he can throw the deep ball (league-high 48.3 completion percentage on passes of 20+ yards). His most dangerous target is former Rutgers star Kenny Britt, who had a season-high 143 yards last week. The Jets believe they can make Locker panic by shutting down his first read. Chances are, the team with the fewest QB mistakes will win.

2. Braylon 2.0 : Braylon Edwards has been slowed by an old hamstring injury, but the newly-acquired wide receiver is expected to make his 2012 debut for the Jets. In his first stint with the Jets, Edwards had a penchant for playing well in prime time. In his 2009 debut, in Week 5, he caught five passes for 64 yards and a TD against the Dolphins on Monday Night Football. Then, like now, he had only a few days to familiarize himself with the offense.Edwards could be used in three-receiver sets with Jeremy Kerley and Chaz Schilens. Sanchez has a built-in comfort level with Edwards, who could be useful in the red zone because of his size. The question is, will his balky hammy hold up an entire game?

3. Run D vs. CJ : Titans RB Chris Johnson reached the 1,000-yard mark for the fifth straight year, but this hasn't been a vintage year.He has been slowed by a sore ankle & upheaval on the offensive linewhich has changed four starters since camp.The only original starter is LT Michael Roos.The weak link is C Kevin Matthews, who had three holding penalties two weeks ago. Don't be surprised if the Jets put DE Muhammad Wilkerson on Matthews in certain fronts.Johnson was held to 51 and 44 yards in the last two games, but he remains a home-run threat because of his speed. He needs space to run because he's not the type of back to break tackles. The Titans are last in the league in rushing yards after contact, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Conversely, Johnson leads the AFC in yards before contact. Get the picture?

4. Kids R Them : The Titans are very young on defense, especially at linebacker -- two second-year players (Akeem Ayers and Colin McCarthy) and rookie Zach Brown. They're fast and aggressive, but that means they're vulnerable to misdirection runs, counters and play-action passes.The Jets have done a nice job in recent weeks with counters and misdirection plays, especially the wind-back run. You also could see a throwback screen. The goal, of course, is to exploit over-pursuit. One injury to watch: McCarthy, who calls the defensive signals, is out with a concussion.

5. Beware, a McCourty is lurking : Jason McCourty starts at cornerback for the Titans. His twin brother, Patriots CB Devin McCourty, already has inflicted plenty of misery into the Jets' season. He scored on a 104-yard kickoff return and, in the Thanksgiving night debacle, he set up a TD by forcing a fumble on a kickoff return by Joe McKnight. The ball flew into the air and landed softly in the hands of Julian Edelman, who returned it for a score. Not surprisingly, Jason said he called his twin bro' this week to pick his brain for some intel on the Jets.

6. Return of the 'Cat ? Rex Ryan made a big deal out of Tim Tebow's supposedly improved physical condition, suggesting that Tebow -- a spectator the last three games because of fractured ribs -- could be back in his old role, whatever that is. We'll believe it when we see it.

> http://espn.go.com/b...-jets-at-titans

[kelly]

It's all on the line -- really

The Jets’ best chance to win – Monday night and the remainder of the season – rests on the offensive line.

It’s the only unit that hasn’t been beset by injuries. In fact, not one starter has missed a game, a rare case of continuity for this team.What’s more, the line is improving, making recent strides in the running game. The question is, what took so long? That’s where there’s a difference of opinion.Rex Ryan said it took time for the line to get comfortable with Tony Sparano’s gap blocking scheme, designed for a physical, downhill running attack. A year ago, the Jets employed a zone scheme, a finesse system in which the linemen block areas.Ryan’s theory isn’t popular among the players themselves; they’re not buying the scheme explanation.“No, we ran gap schemes last year that we were successful with,” said LG Matt Slauson, whose opinion is shared by others.

Slauson attributed the recent success -- an average of 147 yards per game over the last four -- to persistence and rhythm, finding a groove.“It’s that point in the year where the running game starts to happen,” he said. “Back in 2009 and 2010, we weren’t the No. 1 rushing team in Weeks 1 to 7 or 1 to 8.That’s not how the running game works. It takes a while, beating your head against the wall.”The Jets’ 11^th-ranked rushing attack is anything but dynamic – it’s been six games since they averaged better than 4.1 per carry – but it has allowed them to control the ball, taking pressure off the defense. It’s just the way Ryan wants it. It’s ugly ball, but that’s how defensive-minded coaches like it.Sparano seems to have found a comfort zone with his play calling, dialing up more counters and misdirection runs in recent weeks. That’s why you see more pulling linemen, especially the guards, Slauson and RG Brandon Moore.

Even the tackles, D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Austin Howard, are getting more chances to block on the run.Sparano agreed that the line play has improved, saying the players have become comfortable and know how to react to any defensive look they might see.With the Titans, the Jets will face a defensive front that’s better than its numbers might indicate. They’re ranked 23rd in run defense, but they’ve held their last four opponents under 126 yards. They have a young, aggressive front seven, and you can bet Sparano will try to dial up some misdirection plays -- runs and passes -- to exploit their fast-flow tendencies.

> http://espn.go.com/b...the-line-really

[kelly]

Coach's big decision : Back to the 'Cat ?
After initially saying he wouldn't use the Wildcat on Monday night because of Tim Tebow's lingering rib injury, Rex Ryan reversed field on a dime, leaving the impression that Tebow is healthy enough to return to his usual role against the Titans.

Would that be a wise move ?

The Jets' running game finally is where they want it to be (an average of 147 yards per game over the last four), so returning Tebow to the equation might disrupt the rhythm they've created with Shonn Greene and Bilal Powell. Plus, it's not like Tebow was a dominant force before the injury. He has rushed for only 87 yards, averaging just 3.0 per carry.But they should consider Tebow in short-yardage situations. The Jets used to be the top short-yardage rushing team in the league, but they've slipped in recent weeks. They're down to fifth in the rankings, having converted 19 of 25 -- 76 percent. (On a side note, the Titans are No. 1 at 81.3 percent.) When a 250-pound ballcarrier can run the read-option, it puts a lot of stress on a defense.

We've spent the last 14 weeks speculating on Tebow's potential role, and the answer usually comes out like this: Less than what everyone expects.

> http://espn.go.com/b...back-to-the-cat

[SouthernJet]

30% chance of Rain, 10 MPH winds and 51 degrees at Gametime.

http://www.weather.c...e TN 37219:4:US

Edited by SouthernJet, 17 December 2012 - 04:13 PM.

[Jetsouth]

kelly ..where do you get all this stuff.. ??

Do you think about the JETS when you're ... you know. ?