After whipping Titans, Jets could become playoff power

[Jetscode1]

I think the bandwagon gets a little bigger...now we find out if our JETS can handle success...as the coach mentioned last week...we win and each game gets bigger from here on out. Go JETS!

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=489738

November 23, 2008

Clifton Brown

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Five things we learned from watching the New York Jets whip the Tennessee Titans 34-13 and hand them their first loss of the season:

1. Favre looks playoff bound

The Jets solidified their status as a dangerous team by whipping the Titans on their turf. Should the Jets make the playoffs, nobody will look forward to facing Favre and Co. In consecutive weeks, the Jets have beaten the Titans and the Patriots on the road -- two teams the Jets could see again in the postseason. Favre (25 for 32, 224 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) was superb again, and he had plenty of help.

The running game, led by Thomas Jones (96 yards), is suited for bad weather. The Jets have a quarterback with a ton of playoff experience, and they have a solid defense. This sounds like a team capable of making a playoff run. But first, the Jets must make the playoffs. Their top priority is to win the AFC East, which would secure them at least one home playoff game.

2. Unbeaten no more

We can stop asking if the Titans will go 16-0. There was nothing cheap about this first loss. The Jets whipped the Titans on both sides of the ball. Kerry Collins did not have one of his best days, the Titans could not get their running game going, and Favre picked apart Tennessee's defense.

This loss might help the Titans in the long run. Their egos have been checked, the burden of trying to go unbeaten is over, and they still have a comfortable lead in the race for best record in the AFC.

3. Tennessee's running game needs a wake-up call

The Titans have not had a 100-yard game from a running back since Week 7, when Chris Johnson and LenDale White both went over 100. The Jets shut down both Johnson (46 yards) and White (minus-1). Teams are loading the box against Tennessee's offense, shutting down the run and daring Kerry Collins (21 for 39, 243 yards, one touchdown) to carry the offense.

Collins did that against the Bears and Jaguars, but he failed against the Jets. Even if Collins plays well, throwing first and running second is not the way Tennessee wants to play. But defenses will continue to force the Titans to throw, unless Collins and Tennessee's receivers begin to connect for more big plays.

4. Jets should keep feeding Washington the ball

Leon Washington's 61-yard touchdown run in the third quarter displayed why he is so dangerous. His speed and elusiveness as a runner, returner and receiver make him a threat to score whenever he has open-field room.

Titans safety Chris Hope thought he had an angle on Washington during his touchdown run, but Washington turned on the jets and Hope's diving attempt at a sideline tackle was futile. Washington is a big play waiting to happen, and the Jets need to make sure he touches the ball at least 10 times per game from this point forward.

5. The AFC East is a beast

The NFC East has gotten more hype, but the AFC East has produced more positive surprises. The Dolphins are a respectable team again. The Patriots could make the playoffs without Tom Brady. The Bills are not out of the playoff hunt, and we have already seen what the Jets are capable of.

The Jets are the team to beat in the AFC East, and whichever team wins the division will be well-deserving. Clifton Brown is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at beichenberger@sportingnews.com.

[theinlawjosie]

I think the bandwagon gets a little bigger...now we find out if our JETS can handle success...as the coach mentioned last week...we win and each game gets bigger from here on out. Go JETS!

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=489738

November 23, 2008

Clifton Brown

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Five things we learned from watching the New York Jets whip the Tennessee Titans 34-13 and hand them their first loss of the season:

1. Favre looks playoff bound

The Jets solidified their status as a dangerous team by whipping the Titans on their turf. Should the Jets make the playoffs, nobody will look forward to facing Favre and Co. In consecutive weeks, the Jets have beaten the Titans and the Patriots on the road -- two teams the Jets could see again in the postseason. Favre (25 for 32, 224 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) was superb again, and he had plenty of help.

The running game, led by Thomas Jones (96 yards), is suited for bad weather. The Jets have a quarterback with a ton of playoff experience, and they have a solid defense. This sounds like a team capable of making a playoff run. But first, the Jets must make the playoffs. Their top priority is to win the AFC East, which would secure them at least one home playoff game.

2. Unbeaten no more

We can stop asking if the Titans will go 16-0. There was nothing cheap about this first loss. The Jets whipped the Titans on both sides of the ball. Kerry Collins did not have one of his best days, the Titans could not get their running game going, and Favre picked apart Tennessee's defense.

This loss might help the Titans in the long run. Their egos have been checked, the burden of trying to go unbeaten is over, and they still have a comfortable lead in the race for best record in the AFC.

3. Tennessee's running game needs a wake-up call

The Titans have not had a 100-yard game from a running back since Week 7, when Chris Johnson and LenDale White both went over 100. The Jets shut down both Johnson (46 yards) and White (minus-1). Teams are loading the box against Tennessee's offense, shutting down the run and daring Kerry Collins (21 for 39, 243 yards, one touchdown) to carry the offense.

Collins did that against the Bears and Jaguars, but he failed against the Jets. Even if Collins plays well, throwing first and running second is not the way Tennessee wants to play. But defenses will continue to force the Titans to throw, unless Collins and Tennessee's receivers begin to connect for more big plays.

4. Jets should keep feeding Washington the ball

Leon Washington's 61-yard touchdown run in the third quarter displayed why he is so dangerous. His speed and elusiveness as a runner, returner and receiver make him a threat to score whenever he has open-field room.

Titans safety Chris Hope thought he had an angle on Washington during his touchdown run, but Washington turned on the jets and Hope's diving attempt at a sideline tackle was futile. Washington is a big play waiting to happen, and the Jets need to make sure he touches the ball at least 10 times per game from this point forward.

5. The AFC East is a beast

The NFC East has gotten more hype, but the AFC East has produced more positive surprises. The Dolphins are a respectable team again. The Patriots could make the playoffs without Tom Brady. The Bills are not out of the playoff hunt, and we have already seen what the Jets are capable of.

The Jets are the team to beat in the AFC East, and whichever team wins the division will be well-deserving. Clifton Brown is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at beichenberger@sportingnews.com.

Nice post Jetscode, I too am wondering how the Jets will be able to handle the success. I do see a couple of potential losses ahead of us, but if we keep playing like we did today we could finish the season on the hottest streak in the league....You saw what happened with that "other" team that warmed up at the right time last year and they were only hot on the road....I am trying really hard not to get too excited, but it's darn near impossible right now.

As for the article, the only thing I don't like is the mention of teams shutting the Titans (of Tennessee) run game down by stacking the box.....The Jets didn't have to stack the box to shut down the run and they need to be given credit for that.

Thanks for the read!

[Blackout]

nice read