Another week, another huge game for the New York Jets.
Are the Jets going to slip back into a battle for the AFC East or a wild-card spot? Or are they going to show they might be the best team in the conference and get in the mix for a first-round bye?
The Jets are hitting on all cylinders right now. They seem to be gaining confidence each week, as the talent on their roster is finally matching the production on the field.
The Titans are the league's last undefeated team. They haven't been blowing teams out, but the bottom line is that they have found a way to win 10 straight games, which deserves immense amounts of respect.
Yet, I think the Titans are due for their first loss this Sunday. I like the way the Jets match-up with them. Sunday will be the day the Jets show they have as good of a shot as anybody of representing the AFC in the Super Bowl.
The Titans have a great one-two punch in the backfield with Chris Johnson and LenDale White. You can't argue that, Johnson is explosive in the open-field and White is a productive short-yardage/goal-line back.
However, I'd still take Thomas Jones and Leon Washington over them. Jones leads the AFC in rushing yards and Washington is a big play waiting to happen.
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Kerry Collins has been rock solid at quarterback. He has provided leadership and done an excellent job managing the game for Tennessee. Yet, I'd still take Brett Favre over him any day. Favre might turn the ball over occasionally, but he still finds a way to make things happen and I wouldn't want anybody else handling the ball in the fourth quarter of a close game.
Justin Gage, Brandon Jones, Justin McCariens, and Bo Scaife are a decent collection of receivers, but are clearly a cut below Jerricho Cotchery, Laveranues Coles, Chansi Stuckey and Dustin Keller.
The Titans defense is scary good. They don't allow points and they create turnovers. Albert Haynesworth is a beast up front, Keith Bullock is a playmaker at linebacker, and Cortland Finnegan is turning into one of the best corners in the NFL.
Yet, don't sleep on the Jets defense. Kris Jenkins has been a force all year, Shaun Ellis has seven sacks at defensive end, and Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas provide a strong pass rush from the outside linebacker position. Darrelle Revis is a lock-down corner and Kerry Rhodes is one of the NFL's best at his position.
The Jets defense is good enough to slow the Tennessee offense, while the Jets offense is good enough to put up some points on the Titans defense. If throw you in Leon Washington on special teams, you have plenty of reason to believe the Jets can win this weekend.
I think we see a decent day out of Jones, maybe 19 carries for 65 yards, with Washington throwing in a few more yards. When throwing the ball, the Jets will find some success. Cotchery has killed the Titans the past two years and I expect him to have another big day. Keller is emerging right now as a go-to-guy on third downs and Tennessee will have a tough time matching-up with him.
When Tennessee has the ball, they will hurt the Jets with Johnson out of the backfield in the passing game. Beyond that, they will struggle to pick up yards.
The Jets will draw even or win the turnover battle, get a big return from Washington, and make enough plays to win 17-14.
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about 1 month ago
Great prediction Joe! You were right on just about everything. Jets beat 'em up even more than you had expected.
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