Time: 1:00pm EDT; Channel: CBS
0-2 Tennessee @ 2-0 JETS
by Joe Grinwis (124)
The New York Jets are flying high and most Jet fans are sitting on cloud nine this week after last Sunday’s 16-9 home opening victory over the rival New England Patriots. Seeing Bill Belichick walk off the field like a depressed fat chick who just got turned down by the Prom King was glorious. Oh yeah, and that Brady guy, he looked pretty average to me out there. Now onto this week’s match-up with the Titans.
World class speedster Chris Johnson, the AFC’s leading rusher, leads a Tennessee rushing attack that coupled with arguably the best Offensive Line in the league led by LT Michael Roos and former Jet C Kevin Mawae, into New York to face the NFL’s #1 Defense. How long has it been since we’ve heard that about our team Jet fans? Anyways, Johnson last week scored on rushing plays of 91 and 57 yards and on a 69 yard reception. There is little doubt that Johnson is the 3rd best back in the league behind Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson and Atlanta’s Michael Turner.
Teaming up with Johnson is Bart Scott’s best friend (joking) LenWhale, whoops, LenDale White. White is the power back who comes in to wear down defenses late in games and to get the tough yardage.
When it comes to the Tennessee defense their pass defense is ranked last in the NFL through two games so look for rookie Quarterback Mark Sanchez to look to exploit the Titan secondary looking for Jerricho Cotchery, Dustin Keller, Chansi Stuckey and of course the Jets own version of an all purpose back in Leon Washington.
Key Match-ups:
Tennessee Offensive Line vs Jets Defensive Front Seven
If the Titan Offensive Line is able to push back Kris Jenkins and the rest of the Jet defense, Johnson and White will have all day to run the football and the Jets will be in big, big trouble. However, this isn’t likely as the Jets line dominated Tennessee’s in last year’s meeting in Nashville when it came to stopping the run. Missed tackles cannot happen on Sunday because Johnson is a home run hitter who must be contained. Part of being contained, with his speed, is not being able to bounce it outside. Outside Linebacker’s Bryan Thomas and Vernon Gholston need to be able to beat their men and make Johnson run towards Jenkins, Scott and David Harris who will be clogging up the middle of the field all afternoon.
Jets Offensive Line vs Titans Defensive Line
Basically just doing a sort of flip here. In order for Sanchez to pick apart the NFL’s worst secondary, statistically speaking, he is going to need time and Left Tackle D’Brickashaw Fergsuon will be tested by Defensive End Kyle Vanden Bosch. The Jets will also need to establish some sort of ground game early on to keep the Titan defense honest. Last year Leon Washington had a field day against the Titan defense so I would expect to see a heavy dose of Washington early with Thomas Jones coming in towards the latter part of the game. Don’t be mistaken, Jones will play early and often as usual, but Washington should get the majority of the carries early on to open up the defense even more.
Special Teams
What? Did he really just put in as a key match-up the Special Teams? Yes I did. This is a match-up between two ball controlled teams that is probably going to be a close game and both teams will struggle to score more than 20 points. Field position is key in any game but even more so in a game between two ball controlled teams. Punter Steve Weatherford has impressed Jets brass and fans so far and the punting for the Titans this week is former Jet Reggie Hodges who the Jets cut in early September when Weatherford became available.
Prediction:
Titans-10
Jets-21
MVP: RB Leon Washington – 16 carries, 116 yards, 2 TD; 4 receptions, 52 yards