Jets-Broncos: The Breakdown
Posted by ljkennel November 29, 2008 18:18PM
Denver QB Jay Cutler is third in the NFL in passing yardage (3,036), which could be a problem for the Jets' secondary.
WHEN THE JETS HAVE THE BALL
QB Brett Favre has always been at his best when he's getting rid of the ball quickly, firing slants, working the tight end underneath and throwing an occasional deep ball, and that's exactly what the Jets have been doing the past three weeks.
Favre has thrown just one interception in the past three games and is completing 77 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and the interception. Rookie TE Dustin Keller has emerged as Favre's go-to guy with 20 catches for 236 yards and a touchdown in the past three games.
But with rain in the forecast, the Jets may have to lean on their running game, which is averaging 179.3 yards per over the past three games. RB Thomas Jones leads the AFC with 950 yards rushing and nine TDs (three shy of Curtis Martin's club record). RB/KR Leon Washington has four TDs (two rushing, one receiving, one kickoff return) in the past two games. Denver, which has been decimated by injuries, has the league's 26th-ranked run defense, allowing 144.5 yards per game. You do the math. CB Champ Bailey (groin), who missed the past four games, may return. The Broncos rank 28th in total defense (380.4 ypg).
WHEN THE BRONCOS HAVE THE BALL
QB Jay Cutler, who ranks third in the NFL in passing yardage (3,036), may find the Jets' leaky secondary to his liking. The Broncos are third in the league in total offense (382.5 ypg) and passing offense (273.0 ypg).
Cutler's quick feet are the key to his game. He has great escapability (Denver's eight sacks are the second-lowest in the league) and can throw on the run and throw deep on the run. Often, his target in 6-foot-4, 230-pound WR Brandon Marshall, who has 67 catches for 887 yards and four touchdowns.
The Broncos, who play a lot of spread offense, have a lot of weapons in speedy rookie WR Eddie Royal (58-673-4), veteran WR Brandon Stokley (36-366-2) and TEs Daniel Graham (four TDs) and Tony Scheffler (17.3-yard average). The Broncos running back-by-committee is averaging 4.4 yards rushing per carry.
The Jets are ranked 26th in pass defense, yielding 239.4 yards per game, and rookie CB Dwight Lowery has been an inviting target. The Jets will likely put CB Darrelle Revis or Ty Law on Marshall. The Jets rank third in the NFL in sacks with 35 and will need to pressure Cutler and take him down.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Veteran K Jay Feely, who has connected on 10 straight field goals, will likely get the call over a healthy Mike Nugent. Leon Washington ranks fifth in the NFL in kickoff returns (28.8-yard average) and sixth in punts (12.1). P Reggie Hodges, who was cut seven times and hadn't kicked in the league since 2005, is averaging 42 yards and has placed seven kicks inside the 20 in 20 punts. Broncos P Brett Kern is averaging 47.2 yards per punt. Eddie Royal leads the NFL in KO returns (30.3 yards average).
ONE MORE THING
The Jets have scored a franchise-record 115 points (38.3 points per game) in the past three games, have averaged a league-high 33.0 points over the past eight games and have scored an NFL-best 38 touchdowns this season, led by a career-high 11 from RB Thomas Jones.
4 DOWNS WITH BRONCOS QB JAY CUTLER
WHAT HAPPENED AGAINST THE RAIDERS?
We had some turnovers, and we had a lot of one-on-one situations where we didn't make the plays. In the past games, when we've had one-on-ones, we made some big plays and had some big chunks. It didn't happen. They have a lot of talent on that defense. They have the best corner in the game right now (Nnamdi Asomugha), and he kind of cuts the field in half. We just didn't make the plays when we had to.
HOW DISAPPOINTING WHAT THAT COMING OFF A TWO-GAME WINNING STREAK?
We're young, and we still have a lot of injuries we're battling with. It's kind of a roller coaster ride right now. The NFL is funny, every week you have to be on your A-game, or potentially you can lose. We have our hands full this week with the Jets. They're playing really well right now and are on a little bit of a roll.
How do you feel now compared to this time last year when you were battling diabetes?
I was probably weighing 210 or 215 (pounds) about this time last year. I had dropped probably 10 or 20 pounds by then. I was tired all the time. I didn't have a lot of energy. I feel really good. Our offensive line has played really well and haven't really allowed a lot of hits on me, or sacks. Anytime that happens, that's obviously going to be an advantage for me. I feel good right now.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON BRETT FAVRE?
I grew up a Bears fan, so I watched a lot of Brett Favre growing up. I still admire the way he plays and the things that he's able to do on the field. He sees the field extremely well, better than most, and makes throws that a lot of guys probably wouldn't attempt. A lot of times he fits it in there. He's always been fun to watch.