Prime Sports Report
Issue #2012
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New York Jets: Playoffs or Played Out?
The Jets are surprising a lot of people this year – maybe even themselves. Are they for real, or are they a mirage? Can they finish the season on a high note? At a surprising 8-4 they have playoff aspirations, and they have a fairly easy road to get to the post-season. Their competition in the last four games is a combined 19-29, with only one winning record among them. Of the twelve teams they have faced thus far only six have a winning record. Altogether their opponents to date are only 64-79-1. Not exactly lustrous credentials for the Jets to be a mere 8-4 against. Two of their four losses have been against teams with a combined record of 7-17. San Diego (4-8) spanked the Jets by a 48-29 score while 3-9 Oakland bested them by three points. The Jets had two impressive weeks in a row by beating first New England and then previously unbeaten Tennessee. But then, the next game they were summarily disposed of by a then 6-5 Denver squad. So what about the Jets? Are they playoff bound? What have they shown so far this year?
Brett Favre: After a less than amicable post retirement departure from Green Bay Brett was determined to play one more year (or 2, or 3…). The Jets were quick to help him with his decision. So, how has the experiment worked out? Favre is at 68% passing on 268 of 390. He has 20 TD tosses, but he also has 14 interceptions. He’s ranked at #11 with a QB rating of 90.4. The question becomes whether time is catching up with Favre or not. His bad weather performance against the Broncos last week was less than stellar. He himself admitted he missed some throws he should have made. As the season wears on his stamina becomes an issue the Jets must face.
Defense: The defensive backs in particular are worrisome to the Jets. The pass defense comes in at a lowly #30 in the NFL, allowing nearly 250 yards per game. CB Darrelle Revis is the only consistent playmaker in the bunch. Coupled with an almost non-existent pass rush the last two games, it is easy to envision an early exit from the playoffs, if they are fortunate enough to get in. Likely playoff opponents include the pass happy Colts, along with the Broncos and Patriots. The only amazing thing about the pass defense is how did the Jets ever win eight games with it? The answer seems to be they used to have a ferocious pass rush with 34 sacks until two weeks ago, but only one since. As a whole the defense is yielding a generous 331 yards and 22 points per game.
Offense: Picking up 132 yards rushing and 214 passing per game is respectable. TE Dustin Keller has been Favre’s favorite target of late, catching 27 in the last four games. WR Jerricho Cotchery has caught 31 in six games while nursing a shoulder injury. The offense has been commendable, although the defenses they have faced as a whole on the season have not been particularly strong.
Are the Jets for real? Are they really a playoff team? Skeptics abound. Head Coach Eric Mangini commented on the Jets’ preparation, consistency and execution after the Denver loss by saying the team should be improving every game “and when that’s not met, to me that’s a different type of loss.” He seemed to express his doubts about the effort expended by the team. If they want to even have a chance to play post-season, they had better step it up a notch or two.
Best of luck,
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