The Jets scrambled up the AFC power rankings with their stunning 19-16 OT victory against the heavily favored Steelers on Sunday.
Whatta ya say we hit the NFC next?
The Jets will try and shock the country again on Thursday as they travel to Dallas and take on the 9-1 Cowboys. It's not often that a 2-8 team receives the national spotlight, but the NFL schedule came out waaaaay back in April and at the time this looked like an intriguing match up.
And I may be sporting the green tinted shades again (give me a break. I haven't seen a win since September), but I think the game still has a chance to be interesting.
For one thing, the Jets finally realized that pressuring the quarterback and snuffing the run greatly increases your chances of winning. Gang Green blitzed a ton against Pittsburgh, threw different defensive fronts at the Steelers offense and also mixed up personnel (the Jets put defensive end Shaun Ellis in at linebacker at times and used linebacker/defensive end David Bowens as a "spy" on Roethlisberger). The result was their best defensive performance of the year.
The Jets will need to do that again and more if they expect to slow down Tony Romo, Terrell Owens and the rest of the Cowboys on Thursday. Dallas is ranked second in the NFL in points per game (their 32.4 points per game trails only the Patriots unbelievable 41.1 average), third in passing yards per game and possess a formidable one, two punch rushing attack with Julius Jones and Marion Barber. It looks like wide receiver Patrick Crayton may miss this game with an ankle injury so the Gotham Green could catch a bit of a break there. Crayton has put together a respectable season (33 receptions, 482 yards and 5 touchdowns) and if he can't go, the 'Boys will turn to second-year receiver Sam Hurd (10 catches, 169 yards, 1 TD).
The Jets won't be able to stop the Dallas offense, but maybe they can slow it down and the best way to do that is to knock around No. 81. Easier said than done, but hard-hitting safety Abram Elam could play a big role in this contest. Elam has been inserted as the starter (I guess Erik Coleman has lost his starting job) and has made an impact (sometimes good and sometimes bad) in the secondary. He's not that big (6'0, 207 lbs.), but he plays with reckless abandon and may have the best chance to smack Owens in the mouth.
On offense, the Jets probably won't have the services of wide out
Laveranues Coles. Coles suffered a high ankle sprain on his only catch against the Steelers and has been limited in practice. His loss will definitely hurt the team and the Cowboys have some playmakers on defense in linebacker DeMarcus Ware (9 sacks), corner Anthony Henry (5 interceptions) and, of course, the "hard-hitting" safety Roy Williams. I've never seen a defensive back who can only make a tackle by pulling a player down from the collar receive more acclaim. He's also awful in pass coverage. Makes my blood boil.
Here's a Cowboy fan's view of the upcoming game.
Speaking of blood, their will be two brothers doing battle on the field Thursday. They won't be going head-to-head, but running backs Thomas Jones and Julius Jones will be playing against each other for the second time in their pro careers. The played against each other in 2004 when TJ was wearing a Bears uniform. TJ is three years older than Jules, but little brother got the better of big bro as he rushed for 150 yards and two scores as Dallas defeated Chicago 21-7.
"It's just a special time and a special occasion. My family is really excited," Thomas Jones said. "It's special to be able to play against your brother on Thanksgiving. It is something that rarely happens, especially with both of us playing the same position."
Must be kinda cool to play against your brother on Turkey Day.
Anyway, the Jets are huge underdogs going into this one. Mission impossible?
That's what everyone said last week.
Never say die!
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