TOJ Power Rankings – Divisional Weekend

Some final thoughts on Wild-Card Weekend, a ranking of the remaining teams, and initial thoughts on the divisional round match-ups –

• If you would have told me I would pick 3 of the 4 games right for the past weekend and the one I got wrong would be Seattle/New Orleans, I would have never believed you. Who could have seen that coming? Seattle grabbed the momentum and took advantage of a terrific game by Matt Hassleback. The funny thing now is that Seattle has already won in Chicago this year and has a decent shot at doing it again this weekend. Could you imagine the Seahawks actually hosting the NFC Championship Game as a 9-9 team?
• It was a great weekend of games, outside of the complete dud laid by the Cheifs at home. Baltimore was the superior team but Kansas City could have put up more of a fight. How do you not target Dwayne Bowe once? It isn’t like the Ravens have Darrelle Revis out there.
• The Packers are peeking at the right time, which is incredibly impressive considering all the injuries they sustained. It felt like Mike Vick was taking Philly in for a touchdown on that final drive but a few inches underthrown and a great play by Tramon Williams ended it.

Divisional Weekend Power Rankings

1. New England Patriots – They are the unquestioned favorite. Let’s see if the Jets can make Belichick and Brady look human again, like they did way way back in week 2.

2. Atlanta Falcons – Would anybody be surprised if Green Bay went into Atlanta and won this weekend? The Falcons don’t have the same clout as most number one seeds normally do.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers – Let’s see how their offensive line holds up in round III vs. the Ravens.

4. Baltimore Ravens – You can’t love football and not be beyond excited for Ravens/Steelers this weekend.

5. Green Bay Packers – The Packers have the feel of a team who is hot at the right time and with enough talent to win it all.

6. Chicago Bears – If Jay Cutler has his head on straight, the Bears should roll to the NFC Championship Game. However, I have a feeling Seahawks/Bears is going to be a tight one.

7. New York Jets – Nobody will give them a chance this weekend. Let’s see if they can shock the world.

8. Seattle Seahawks – Well they shut us up last weekend.

Initial Thoughts on Divisional Weekend

Ravens at Steelers – Tape the knuckles up and get ready for old-school, smashmouth, defensive football between a couple of teams who couldn’t know each other any better and couldn’t hate each other more. Take the under and look forward to one hell of a football game.

Packers at Falcons – Their regular season game a few weeks back was terrific and this one should be even better. A couple of great young quarterbacks and high powered offenses at work in the prime-time game.

Seahawks at Bears – I can’t help but have an early feeling Seattle is going to build off last week and take this game. This is coming from somebody who spent the entire year bashing the Seahawks as one of the five worst teams in the league. However, they did beat Chicago earlier in the year and I am not fully sold on the Bears yet. Remember the playoffs are about who is hot at the right time.

Jets at Patriots – Do I expect the Jets to win? No. Will I spend the whole week coming up with every possible way for them to win and talking myself into it happening? Yes.

Wild-Card Weekend Highlights

Jets vs. Steelers: 12 Pack of Predictions

It has been dark times lately for the 12 Pack, as well as the Jets…let’s see if we can turn things around –

1. Joe McKnight will have at least five offensive touches that aren’t in garbage time and will make a case for more playing time during the last couple of games. LaDainian Tomlinson’s role in the game plan will be diminished…or at least it should be.

2. Santonio Holmes is going to have a monster game, on both offense and special teams. He is an elite playmaker in the NFL and will be beyond motivated this game to bounce back from his drop last week and to prove Pittsburgh was wrong for trading him.

3. Hines Ward is going to have a big day working against Antonio Cromartie and Heath Miller, Emmanuel Sanders, and Antawan Randle El will make a few plays in the middle of the field against Dwight Lowery and Brodney Pool at safety.

4. Both teams will struggle to run the football. There won’t be a 100 yard rusher in this game, in fact I’d be surprised if there was a 70 yard rusher in this game.

5. Nick Folk won’t make a field goal that is longer than 40 yards.

6. The Jets defense is going to rise to the occasion and play one of their best games of the season, keeping this a competitive football game.

7. Mark Sanchez will play better than he did the previous two weeks, but there is no way he is getting through this game without a turnover.

8. I think we will see another quiet game from Dustin Keller and Braylon Edwards.

9. The Jets defense will force a fumble from Rashard Mendenhall and sack Ben Roethlisberger at least two times.

10. Mike Wallace will have less than 60 receiving yards and will be kept out of the end-zone by Darrelle Revis.

11. The Jets inactive players and coaches will be about 30 yards from the sideline when the Steelers return punts.

12. Despite putting up a better effort than most people expect, the Jets are going to lose their third straight, 17-10. The loss will mean the Jets will have to win in Chicago and then at home against Buffalo if they want a playoff spot.

Instant Reaction: Same Old Jets

When you have 10 days to prepare for your biggest game of the year. It doesn’t say much for your organization when you are completely out coached, out schemed, out played, and out everything you can think of.

The New York Jets were exposed as frauds tonight. They were embarrassed on national television and unequivocally proven to be second class citizens in the AFC East and the AFC. Don’t talk about the Jets with the Patriots, Ravens, or Steelers anymore. They aren’t on that level or even close for that matter. They are now in the mix with the Chiefs, Jaguars, Colts, Chargers, and the rest of the mediocrity throughout the conference.

There won’t be any home playoff games this year and don’t write the Jets in as a playoff team yet. You think the team you watched tonight is going to Pittsburgh or Chicago and getting a victory?

The Jets defense was awful tonight. Not just awful, but they quit and let Tom Brady completely dice them apart. They ushered Danny Woodhead down the field so he could make us cringe, as Joe McKnight looked good in his winter jacket on the sideline. Antonio Cromartie lacked effort and forgot how to tackle. Drew Coleman…looked like, well Drew Coleman.

I can’t write enough about how pathetic the effort level was on defense. It starts with Rex Ryan, who didn’t have his team prepared tonight and did a terrible job with game management and game planning. Sorry Rex, it doesn’t make sense to challenge a quarterback sneak on your offense’s first drive, just like it doesn’t make sense to blitz the house and leave Drew Coleman one on one with Wes Welker. Where was Darrelle Revis by the way?

Offense? Mark Sanchez isn’t ready yet. He was shaken from the first possession of this game. Braylon Edwards is back to dropping passes in big spots. Dustin Keller? Where was he? At least Santonio Holmes and Shonn Greene showed up, but that was about it.

It was one thing to lose the game. It is another thing to be embarrassed. It is another thing to quit and be completely humiliated. Hell, I am embarrassed I spent 10 days writing articles previewing the game and the Jets couldn’t put up an effort.

Say it with me now…

Same. Old. Jets.

I need a day off.

Jets vs. Pats: Scary Thoughts On Patriots Tight Ends & 2010 Draft Class

The biggest concern for the Jets this Monday night is slowing down New England’s two rookie tight ends, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. I say this because of how awful the Jets have been at defending the tight end throughout the year and how productive the two players have been, including a 100 yard performance from Hernandez in week two against the Jets.

Wes Welker is obviously dangerous in the slot, but the Jets can move Darrelle Revis over to him in key third downs or even have him track Welker for the bulk of the game. Deion Branch has been very good since coming over from Seattle but is nothing Antonio Cromartie can’t handle. It is Gronkowski and Hernandez who really have the potential to keep the New England offense on the field, chewing up yards and racking up points.

The two tight ends are part of an impressive rookie class the Patriots have assembled, which is even more disconcerting considering how the Jets 2010 draft class is looking so far.

Look at the comparison -

New England

• Corner – Devin McCourty – 61 tackles, 5 INTs, 12 PDs
• Tight End – Rob Gronkowski – 25 receptions, 310 yards, 6 TDs
• Tight End – Aaron Hernandez – 36 receptions, 462 yards, 3 TDs
• Linebacker – Brandon Spikes – 54 tackles
• Punter – Zoltan Mesko – 43.7 yards net average
• Linebacker – Jermaine Cunningham – 26 tackles, 1 sack

Jets

• Corner – Kyle Wilson – 20 tackles, 4 PDs
• Guard – Vladimir Ducasse – Inactive every week but one
• Running Back – Joe McKnight – Normally inactive, 4 carries, 12 yards
• Fullback – John Conner – 2 receptions, 9 yards

Let’s be honest, to this point Wilson, Ducasse, and McKnight have all been major disappointments. Drew Coleman has outplayed Wilson all season, who has struggled both at corner and punt returner. Ducasse was easily beaten out by Matt Slauson in training camp for the starting guard job and is the team’s 3rd backup OL behind Wayne Hunter and Robert Turner. McKnight…well, what can you even say about him? At least we have The Terminator leading the way for years to come at fullback.

You have to give the Patriots credit for putting together a strong group of selections in 2009. The last time I checked they have about 49 picks in the first 3 rounds next year, so we can only hope they will go back to drafting the Chad Jacksons and Laurence Maroneys of the world.

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Initial Reaction: Jets Take Care Of Business, Bring On The Pats

It wasn’t the prettiest win but a 16 point margin of victory is nothing to complain about, especially this season.

This wasn’t Mark Sanchez’s night and it wasn’t the Jets overall “A’ game, especially on offense. However, it was a much needed big time performance by the Jets defense who produced 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, and a safety. It was also a reminder that you can talk about Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes, LaDainian Tomlinson, Sanchez, and Shonn Greene all you want but don’t forget about Brad Smith.

The Jets do everything wide receiver/kick returner/quarterback/running back had his finest game of the season with 200 all purpose yards and 2 electrifying touchdowns.

Beyond that, Darrelle Revis did what we all expected and shut down Terrell Owens who nearly sobbed in post game press conference. Enjoy playing meaningless football in December, yet again, T.O.

It was nice to see the Jets take care of business but it is time for the main event of the 2010 regular season. 9-2 Jets traveling to 9-2 Patriots for Monday Night Football. 11 days of hype and analysis for maybe the biggest regular season meeting ever between these two rivals. The winner will likely be taking home a #1 or #2 seed, along with all the perks that come with it. The loser will be scraping for a wild-card spot.

We already know everybody will be picking the Patriots and honestly I wouldn’t want it any other way. The Jets have the same record as the Patriots and have already beat them by 14 this season, yet they receive no respect as an elite team.

Bring ‘em on.

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What The Hell Is Going On Here? 2010 Jets Season Is Turning Into Something Special

It is hard to fathom what is happening with the New York Jets on a weekly basis the past month . A franchise that is notorious for losing football games in the most painful ways possible at the most painful times has entered a bizarro world during November. We saw hints of it with how they pulled out late victories over Miami, Minnesota, and Denver earlier in the year but these past three games have been something else.

If you haven’t noticed yet, the “same old Jets” culture is long dead. Rex Ryan buried it when he came to town with his brash confidence and unwavering belief this football team would be the best in the league. Mike Tannenbaum and Woody Johnson supported it by making the bold move to trade up for the right franchise quarterback and surround him with the weapons to let him flourish.

The most encouraging trait about this Jets team is their confidence that regardless of the situation, they are going to ultimately find a way to win. It isn’t a matter of “if” but a matter of “when” somebody is going to step up to boost the Jets to yet another victory.

It is time to stop being surprised when Mark Sanchez throws for 300 yards and saves his two best throws for the final minute of a game. I wrote it two weeks ago and I will write it again, the Jets have their franchise quarterback, whatever the “it” factor is that makes certain quarterbacks winners in the NFL, Sanchez has “it”.

Sanchez has no shortage of options when he drops back to pass but Santonio Holmes has taken his game to another level over the past month. There isn’t a more clutch receiver in the NFL right now and his ability to run after the catch has added a dimension to the Jets offense which hasn’t existed in my lifetime.

It isn’t just Holmes though. It is the notoriously unreliable and inconsistent Braylon Edwards, becoming reliable and consistent. It is LaDainian Tomlinson always finding a way to have big reception after big reception in the Jets two minute drill. It is an offense as a whole that scores points in every single situation they need to so far this month.

The defense? That is a story for another day (or just later today) but similar to how the offense slumped last year before rediscovering their identity for a late season playoff push, the defense is capable of doing the same thing.

November 2010 isn’t a month Jets fans will forget anytime soon. When people talk about the Jets being “lucky” it is a weak attempt to hide their disgust that Sanchez is turning into a quarterback capable of keeping this team great for a long time and that Ryan can run his mouth, while his team backs it up.

I do know this, as we head into the final stretch of the regular season: the New York Jets are the number one show in town and en route to being the number one show in the NFL.

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TOJ’s initial reaction at SB Nation http://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/11/21/1828878/at-a-loss-for-words-jets-do-it-again

New York Jets: Can Somebody Cover The Damn Tight End?

A big reason the Jets pass defense has struggled so much this season (they are currently ranked 20thin the NFL) has been their inability to stop opposing team’s tight ends. The overwhelming bulk of this blame falls on safeties Jim Leonhard, Eric Smith, and Brodney Pool, who are all having disappointing seasons on the defensive side of the football.

First off, here is a quick run through of what opposing team’s tight ends have done to the Jets this year -

• Week 1 – Todd Heap - 6 receptions, 72 yards
• Week 2 – Aaron Hernandez – 6 receptions, 101 yards
• Week 3- Anthony Fasano – 2 receptions, 14 yards, 1 TD
• Week 4 – David Nelson – 4 receptions, 75 yards/David Martin - 1 reception, 4 yards, 1 TD
• Week 9- Brandon Pettigrew - 3 receptions, 18 yards, 1 TD/Tony Scheffler - 2 receptions, 22 yards
• Week 10 – Benjamin Watson – 5 receptions, 74 yards

So while it appeared the Jets had solved this problem with a three game streak of shutting down the tight end against Minnesota, Denver, and Green Bay, the problem has now reappeared. Teams aren’t hesitating to throw on the Jets safeties and with good reason.

Jim Leonhard has been scrappy as usual and good in run support. Yet he only has 2 passes defensed and 0 interceptions. It is difficult for him to match-up on most tight ends because of his height. Eric Smith has 1 pass defensed and 0 interceptions. Both have been called on numerous pass interference and illegal contact penalties this season. Brodney Pool does have 5 passes defensed and an interception (back in week 2) but doesn’t seem to be around the football enough, with only 22 tackles.

One the pieces that is still missing in Rex Ryan’s defense is a big time, playmaking safety.

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Check out (http://bit.ly/SundaySweep) for information on the NFLRedZone Sunday Sweep Challenge being run by the NFL Network. Register as a New York Jets fan and compete for plenty of prizes.

TOJ Immature Gloating And Other Random Thoughts On Jets

Every now and then the articles you write time up very well with what occurs on Sunday, for example -

http://turnonthejets.com/2010/11/11/new-york-jets-we-have-our-franchise-qb-standing-up-for-sanchez/

Nothing like lavishing praise on Mark Sanchez as a legitimate franchise quarterback before arguably the best game he ever plays as a professional. I could have sworn I was going to jinx him into a 14/34, 3 INT performance. However, I am not sure he has too many of those left in him for 2010. The strides Sanchez has made from year one to year two have been better than any of us expected, and with each passing week he looks more and more like the player we all hoped he could be for this team.

http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-jets/2010/11/12/1810522/ny-jets-or-ny-giants-go-green-nfl-week-10-previews-predictions

My argument for the Jets being the best team in the New Meadowlands looked much smarter and less like a homer fan rambling thanks to the Giants getting embarrassed at home by the 1-7 Cowboys, while the Jets took care of business in Cleveland. The Giants are starting to sustain too many injuries, don’t protect the football, and with Philadelphia coming up on the schedule could be heading into their second straight second half swoon. (How is that for an alliteration?)

Just For The Hell Of It, If The Playoffs Started Today In The AFC…

1. New York Jets (7-2)
2. Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
3. Indianapolis Colts (6-3)
4. Oakland Raiders (5-4)
5. New England Patriots (7-2)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
7. Miami Dolphins (5-4)
8. Tennessee Titans (5-4)
9. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4)
11. San Diego Chargers (4-5)
12. Houston Texans (4-5)

Similar to last year, it should be another wild finish in the final weeks. The Jets need to take advantage of playing two sub .500 teams at home the next two weeks before they face four straight teams with winning records, with three of them being on the road…actually wait, the Jets never lose on the road.

Can I Get An Interception?

The Jets only have 5 total interceptions through 9 games. They haven’t pulled one in since week 5 against the Vikings when Dwight Lowery took one back to the house. Antonio Cromartie? Darrelle Revis? Brodney Pool? C’mon now. The only Jet who came close to intercepting one in previous weeks was big Sione Pouha against the Detroit Lions.

Quick Hitters

- For everybody who whines about Leon Washington (which includes myself) he has 59 rushing yards and 28 receiving yards this year. Brad Smith has 160 rushing yards and 17 receiving yards. In reality, Brad Smith has become our #3 running back since Joe McKnight can’t fill the role.

- Despite being 193 yards behind him right now, I wouldn’t be shocked if Shonn Green finished with more rushing yards than LaDainian Tomlinson.

- Mark Sanchez has the same amount of touchdown passes (12) right now that he had all of last regular season.

- Dustin Keller hasn’t caught a touchdown since week 4 against the Buffalo Bills.

- The Jets are more than likely going to go another year without a player with double digit sacks. Currently, Jason Taylor leads the team with 4. Calvin Pace only has 2.5 since returning 5 games ago.

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TOJ at SB Nation – Jets vs. Texans: First Look

TOJ’s usual First Look at their upcoming match-up…this week, the Houston Texans

http://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/11/16/1817747/houston-texans-at-new-york-jets-first-look

TOJ NFL Power Rankings: Week 11

It’s that time of the week again, as always feel free to express your feelings on my stupidity:

1. Atlanta Falcons (7-2) – An impressive win for Atlanta over Baltimore. Matt Ryan and Roddy White are playing at a high enough level to be considered the favorite in the NFC…for this week.

2. New York Jets (7-2) – How could you have them over New England after the Patriots just handled the Steelers in Pittsburgh, you homer? Here is how: the Jets beat New England by 14 and a week after Cleveland beat the Patriots by 23, the Jets went into Cleveland and beat them, and if you look at the stats, you saw that the Jets actually dominated Cleveland.

3. New England Patriots (7-2) – I don’t know what is going on with that hair but you have to respect the fire Tom Brady was playing with Sunday night. The annual classic between him and Peyton Manning is up next.

4. The Mike Vick Show (6-3) – Overreaction? Nobody is beating the Eagles in the NFC if Mike Vick keeps playing at this level.

5. Baltimore Ravens (6-3) – They can take out all their anger on the Panthers this weekend.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) – It looks like they are back to abandoning the running game too soon and having more struggles than expected on defense.

7. New Orleans Saints (6-3) – It will be interesting to see if the Saints can regain their Super Bowl form entirely out of the bye week.

8. Green Bay Packers (6-3) – Time to send Brett Favre into retirement.

9. Indiannapolis Peyton Mannings (6-3) – It will be beyond impressive if Peyton Manning can lead this group of Colts to a victory in New England.

10. New York Giants (6-3) – A swift punch back to reality for the Giants, who are banged up and can’t protect the football. Good luck defending Vick in Philadelphia this weekend if you can’t stop Jon Kitna.

11. Oakland Raiders (5-4) – They can make quite a statement with a victory over the Steeleers this weekend.

12. Tampa Bay Bucs (6-3) – They win the games they are supposed to, which is saying alot in the NFL this season.

13. Chicago Bears (6-3) – Do us a favor and take care of the Dolphins and their third string quarterback this Thursday night.

14. Miami Dolphins (5-4) – I can’t see them sticking around the playoff race much longer with Tyler Thigpen under center.

15. Tennessee Titans (5-4) – Randy Moss…all he does is lose.

16. San Diego Chargers (4-5) – The AFC West is there for the taking and they have to be the favorite with the way Phillip Rivers is playing.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4) – I just don’t know how this team is 5-4…oh wait, they won a game on a hail mary and a 59 yard field goal

18. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) – It looks like things are starting to fade fast for one of the surprise teams in the first half of the season.

19. Seattle Seahawks (5-4) – Well, they can beat the other crappy teams in their division.

20. Houston Texans (4-5) – Oh, you are surprised everybody overrated Houston this pre-season and they can’t meet expectations?

21. Cleveland Browns (3-6) – If they were in the NFC West, they might be 6-3.

22. St. Louis Rams (4-5) – It will be interesting to see how this young team hangs with Atlanta at home this weekend.

23. San Francisco 49ers (3-6) – The NFC West…where 3-6 and Troy Smith make you a legitimate contender for the playoffs.

24. Washington Redskins (4-5) – Nothing like allowing the old 59 spot at home to drop down the rankings.

25. Denver Broncos (3-6) – Where did that beat-down come from?

26. Cincinnati Bengals (2-7) – Carson Palmer couldn’t be any further from a franchise quarterback right now, unless he was Derek Anderson.

27. Arizona Cardinals (3-6) – Larry Fitzgerald must be counting the seconds until he can get the hell out of Arizona.

28. Dallas Cowboys (2-7) – Amazing what happens when you put a little effort forward.

29. Minnesota Vikings (3-6)  – I can’t take much more of Brett Favre asking himself questions and then answering them in his press conferences.

30. Buffalo Bills (1-8) – Got one!

31. Detroit Lions (2-7) – I guess we can stop with the talk that Detroit is better than their record. They are just another crappy Lions team.

32. Carolina Panthers (1-8) – It could get out of hand versus Baltimore by the time they step off the bus.

Plays of the Week