It's go time!
Normally, I hate it when the Jets play a primetime contest. Oh sure, there's something cool about having the spotlight, but that usually means that the game is played at night or on a day other than Sunday. I'm not as young as I used to be so I don't enjoy waiting all afternoon or until Monday night to watch the guys in green head into battle.
But things are different this time around.
I was chomping at the bit midway through the second quarter against the Rams for Thursday night's tilt with the New England Patriots. Speaking of Thursday night, it's a crying shame that those who don't have the NFL Network won't be able to watch this game. I don't have the channel, but Channel 11 will broadcast the game for those in the New York-Metropolitan area. I feel sorry for my Jet brethren scattered across the country that won't be as fortunate. When will this madness end?
Anyway, I haven't been this deliriously pumped since, well, since right before the Jets-Pats match-up in Week 2. You remember that one, right? Matt Cassel was getting ready to make his first NFL start and the Green and White were poised to show the league that they were a team to be reckoned with.
Things didn't work out too well.
A lot has changed in Jets Land since then. Oh, there have been bumps in the road (the loss in Oakland, the lackluster efforts against the Bengals and Chiefs), but the Jets have really begun to gel. Thomas Jones leads the AFC in rushing (750), Brett Favre is completing almost 70% of his passes (68.8) and the defense ranks second in the league in sacks (31). The Jets have also returned three interceptions and one fumble for scores this season.
Things aren't too shabby in New England, even without Tom Brady. Cassel hasn't been spectacular, but he hasn't embarrassed himself out there (179 of 267, 1,800 yards, 7 TD, 7 INT). His biggest problem has been sacks. He's absorbed 29 of them this season. The Pats rank seventh in rushing yards per game and boast the 12th best D in the league (12th against the rush, 15th vs. the pass and are tied for sixth in points allowed per game).
But
injuries are destroying them.
Adalius Thomas is out after breaking his forearm against the Buffalo Bills last week. Cornerback Terrence Wheatley is out with a bad wrist, corner Lewis Sanders is listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury, as is former Jet Lamont Jordan (calf injury). Defensive end Ty Warren (groin) and guard Stephen Neal (knee) are questionable.
The blood is in the water and the Jets should be circling like hungry sharks.
Here's a
Pats fan's view of things.
A victory by Gang Green Thursday night will put them in first place in the AFC East, that much is clear, but it could also put them in position to grab the No. 2 seed in the AFC. The Tennessee Titans are sitting pretty at 9-0, but the rest of the conference is up for grabs. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are locked in a battle for the AFC North at 6-3 and the Denver Broncos lead the West at 5-4. A win on Thursday would put the Jets at 7-3 overall and at 5-3 in the conference. The Steelers and Ravens may have better conference records so far with marks of 5-1 and 6-3, respectively, but their schedules are much more difficult. On paper anyway.
Here's the Ravens remaining schedule:
@ New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles
@ Cincinnati Bengals
Washington Redskins
Pittsburgh Steelers
@ Dallas Cowboys
Jacksonville Jaguars
Now the Steelers:
San Diego Chargers
Cincinnati Bengals
@ New England
Dallas Cowboys
@ Baltimore Ravens
@ Tennessee Titans
Cleveland Browns
I'm getting WAAAAY ahead of myself with the No. 2 seed talk, but it's something to think about. For about five minutes. The immediate goal is to wrestle control of the East from the Pats.
Let the game begin!
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