The Battle for Contention Starts TODAY!

              The AFC east is up for grabs with the JETS and Pats in a dead heat here at the midpoint in the NFL season. Its really becoming apparent that if either team wants to secure the division from here on out they are going to have to claw and scratch for every close game- every possible win-especially against division opponents. So expect the Pats to give it all on the field today to try to give them some breathing room from the JETS who are knocking at the door. 

              The Jets have put themselves exactly where they need to be, in pursuit and position to potentially find themselves in sole possession of first in the AFC east division with the unlikely loss of the Pats; they host the Fish at Gillette Stadium today. At 4-3 the JETS are 2-1 in their division and facing the 5-2 Bengals today which are 1-1 in their division, a win would put the Jets at 5-3 and 3-1 and in first place over the Pats who would be  5-3 and 2-2 in the AFC East-again assuming the Fish can pull it out in enemy territory. An unlikely but very possible outcome for the highly overrated 2013 New England Patriots who are favorited by 6 1/2 points in today's matchup.

              Obviously, we can't get ahead of ourselves-Pats have to lose and Gang Green has to overcome a very stout Bengals team who is playing lights out at home. This will absolutely be Geno's biggest test playing a defense who is in every way just as dangerous as the Jets D. The Bengals, led by a pass rushing beast in Geno Atkins, are ranked 8th of the 32 teams in run defense have dared the Jets all weak to keep the ball on the ground but I really don't think the Jets are going to bite. I am sure Rex wouldn't let any team dictate how he plays the game and with Bengals top corner out of the game, expect Geno to stretch the field and open up the run game for Powell and Ivory.

             On the other side, Andy Dalton has really been lighting it up the last two weeks with a combined passer rating of 120.9 with more than 700 yards 6 TDs and only one pick. Cromartie will have his hands full on the other side of a bigger and extremely athletic A.J Green who is ARGUABLY the best WR in the NFL, apparently whoever says that hasn't heard of M-M-Megatron-but he is still VERY good. Geno Smith has obviously had his ups and downs but I would take Geno over Dalton any day of the week and this matchup is no different. Mike Ditka said it best when he said Geno is far and above Dalton in athleticism, as great as the Bengals pass rush is I think Geno will put the wheels on and get out of the pocket and make plays with his feet when the Jets need it most-something Dalton can't do even on a good day!

Game Prediction:  PATS LOSE AND JETS TAKE FIRST PLACE TODAY! NYJ 24-CIN17

INJURY REPORT
NY JETS

NAME	POSITION	INJURY	WED.	THU.	FRI.	GAME STATUS
Allen, Antonio	S	Groin/Finger	LP	LP	FP	Probable
Bellore, Nick	LB	Thumb	-	-	FP	Probable
Coples, Quinton	DE	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Cribbs, Josh	WR	Knee	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Cromartie, Antonio	CB	Hip	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Cumberland, Jeff	TE	Hamstring	DNP	LP	LP	Probable
Ellis, Kenrick	DT	Back	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Holmes, Santonio	WR	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Kerley, Jeremy	WR	Hamstring	-	LP	FP	Probable
Mangold, Nick	C	Ribs	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
McIntyre, Garrett	LB	Knee	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Milliner, Dee	CB	Hamstring	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Nelson, David	WR	Hamstring	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Reuland, Konrad	TE	Knee	LP	LP	FP	Probable
Salas, Greg	WR	Knee	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Walls, Darrin	CB	Shoulder	FP	FP	FP	Probable

INJURY REPORT
CINCINNATI BENGALS

NAME	POSITION	INJURY	WED.	THU.	FRI.	GAME STATUS
Burkhead, Rex	RB	Calf	LP	DNP	LP	Questionable
Gilberry, Wallace	DE	Knee	-	DNP	FP	Probable
Hall, Leon	CB	Achilles	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Jones, Marvin	WR	Shoulder	DNP	DNP	LP	Probable
Maualuga, Rey	LB	Hamstring	DNP	LP	LP	Probable
Newman, Terence	CB	Ankle	DNP	LP	FP	Probable
Still, Devon	DT	Elbow	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out

"Snacks" and Gang Green eat "STEEL" for breakfast!

         Anyone notice how spot on my prediction was for last week? Don't get used to it! We all know that on any given Sunday anything can happen!  One player can step up and ignite the team, one player can throw it all away! (GENO!) Last weeks win over Atlanta is in the books but serves as nothing more than an ego booster for us this week. We still have to play the game-and play it well! If we can take anything else from that clutch win over Atlanta, its that G-G-G-Geno & the Jets (yes its catchy and yes you heard it here first!) were making a statement-NO, A PROCLAMATION-and it sounded a lot like..."Bring on the PITTSBURGH STEELERS!"
       

         Big Ben and Co. come into JETlife stadium on Sunday at 1:00 pm winless (0-4) and coming fresh off of a bye week in which they have had AMPLE time to prep for the match-up. The JETS are coming off a short week after week 5 in Atlanta. The "Steel Curtain" has yet to steal a turnover this season and would be the first team in NFL history to go 5 games into the regular season without one but only if Gang Green can protect the football. Everyone knows that Polamalu isn't the same beast he was in his hay day but he is still definitely not someone a rookie like Geno can afford to take for granted. Especially when you combine him with the Steelers DB Coach who is Dick (freakin) Lebaeu! As one of the greatest defensive coaches in the NFL it is no surprise that he is 15-2 against rookie QBs, and with him at the helm of the defense of one of the most proud franchises in the NFL it would be a HUGE mistake to count him, Polamalu and the rest of the Steeler Defense out!

         Mo Wilkerson (DE 19 Tackles 4 Sacks) has deservedly emerged, according to the NY Daily News (not me-too early to know), as this season's best NFL player in the city of New York (Rutherford, NJ whatever)! But as fantastic as he has looked, there is no doubt in my mind that it is the collective effort of that entire defensive line and the competitive nature between them that makes Mo look so awesome. Sheldon Richardson (DT 24 Tackles 2.5 Sacks), "Snacks" Harrison (NT 15 Tackles 0 Sacks), veteran Calvin Pace (OLB 15 Tackles 2.5 Sacks) and, not that I even have to say, David Harris (MLB 42 Tackles, 1 Sack and 1 Forced Fumble!) make up one of the most aggressive defensive fronts in the NFL today.  Look for them to be just as aggressive early on versus a vulnerable Steeler offensive line who is with out starting Center Maurkice Pouncey whom they lost in week 1 to an injury. Big Ben will be Big Ben with his elusive self so be sure to watch and see if we can contain him, keep him in the pocket and then collapse it on top of him because that will be critical. Even with the depleted offensive line of the Steelers, Roethlisberger has still thrown for an avg of a little more than 300 yards per game. With Cromartie (CB) likely not at 100% due to a hyper-extended knee he incurred during practice Thursday, it will be critical to win at the line of scrimmage and not give Roethlesberger the time to find the open man versus a JETS less than 100% secondary.

NFL Ranking
Steeler Defense (YPG) 10th allowing avg 321 YPG
Steeler Offense  (YPG) 19th with an  avg 341 YPG
Steeler Offerse (Points)  29th with an avg 17 Pts per game (*only 4 games played)
JETS Defense    (YPG)   2nd allowing avg 299 YPG
JETS Offense     (YPG) 14th with an avg  350 YPG
JETS Offense    (Points)  22nd with an avg 20 Pts per game (*5 games played)

Game Prediction
NYJ to win 24-21 with another Folk Hero FG!

INJURY REPORT
NY JETS

NAME	POSITION	INJURY	WED.	THU.	FRI.	GAME STATUS
Aboushi, Oday	OL	Knee	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Allen, Antonio	S	Finger	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Colon, Willie	OL	Knee	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Coples, Quinton	DE	Ankle	DNP	LP	LP	Probable
Cromartie, Antonio	CB	Hip/Knee	FP	LP	DNP	Questionable
Ellis, Kenrick	DT	Non-Injury	DNP	FP	FP	Probable
Gates, Clyde	WR	Knee	DNP	LP	LP	Probable
Goodson, Mike	RB	Illness	DNP	FP	FP	Probable
Holmes, Santonio	WR	Foot/Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Ivory, Chris	RB	Hamstring	LP	LP	LP	Probable
Jarrett, Jaiquawn	S	Knee	DNP	LP	LP	Probable
Milliner, Dee	CB	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Nelson, David	WR	Hamstring	-	LP	LP	Probable
Richardson, Sheldon	DT	Shoulder	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Walls, Darrin	CB	Shoulder	LP	LP	LP	Probable
Winslow, Kellen	TE	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	Doubtful

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

NAME	POSITION	INJURY	WED.	THU.	FRI.	GAME STATUS
Cromartie-Smith, DaMon	S	Hip	LP	-	-	-
Foster, Ramon	G	Pectoral	FP	FP	FP	-
Miller, Heath	TE	Coach's Decision	-	LP	FP	-
Roethlisberger, Ben	QB	Right Finger	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Wheaton, Markus	WR	Finger	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out

Welcome to the TERROR DOME! Jets vs Falcons MNF Preview!

          Both the NY Jets and the Atlanta Falcons are coming off really hard losses and both desperate to regain some control in their divisions. With New Orleans seemingly running away with the NFC South any hopes of Atlanta getting a wild card spot comes with knocking off the Jets with a chance to get back some healthier Falcons after the bye week and try to crawl back into the mix. The Patriots taking their first loss last night versus the Bengals shows the Patriots are still susceptible and this means the Jets still have a punchers shot at the AFC East! This will be a hard fought battle tonight at the Georgia dome and Welcome to JETlife has an in depth look at what it will take for gang green to stop Tony Gonzalez, Julio Jones and Matty Ice!

Keys to the Game for the J-E-T-S
     

Atlanta Defensive coordinator is very much like Rex in the way he loves to disguise coverages ant with Asante Samuel (CB) back Geno Smith needs to be sure not to make the same mistakes he made last week versus the Titans! The windows are there opposite Samuel, Atlanta's secondary has been very questionable even with him allowing an average of more than 300 yards passing in their first 4 weeks. With Holmes out with a strained hamstring, Winslow (TE) questionable the Jets can consider themselves blessed that Stephen Hill has cleared his concussion tests and will play tonight. The big story, I hope, tonight will be the arrival of Mike Goodson! Atlanta is ranked fourth in the league in rushing defense and I'm optimistic that the tandem of Powell and Goodson with a sprinkle of Chris Ivory will open up Geno's long ball and keep Matty Ice off the field enough to keep this game competitive.  Atlanta protects the ball much better than the Jets with a -1 turnover margin as opposed to Gang Green's -10! I know I am not alone in saying that we can't count on Geno to win the game, he'sin the same category as Sanchez in the light that we have to just not let him lose it!

In the End it all comes down to DEFENSE!
       Even with last weeks routing by the Titans, told you not to drink the Kool-Aid just yet, the NY Jets Defense is still ranked among the best in the league! Top ranked total defense and in rushing defense, third ranked in passing-this game will come down to them and them alone. The one thing that is guaranteed to kill us tonight if we don't get it corrected from the last two weeks is penalties. DBs have to step up their PDs! Since week one versus Tampa Bay the Gang has yet to pick off a single throw, trust me when I tell you Matt Ryan is not going to be handing any away tonight either. Cornerbacks Wilson, Cromartie and Walls will really need to step it up tonight and if they can't pick one up, they need to at least get their hands on a few to disrupt the passing attack.They are a plague on both sides of the ball but we especially can not give them free opportunities on defense. Ducasse has looked stellar aside from his multitude of bone head penalties (hit 6 times in the last 2 games with 5 marked off) but this may open the door for third-round pick Brian Waters to see some time tonight on MNF.

GAME PREDICTION
Its going to take a lot more than the 1-3 Falcons to get me to pick against Gang Green!

NYJ 30-ATL 24 and the Sack exchange 2.0 will take another step toward realization tonight with extensive pressure on Ryan. I think we will be able to get to him early and often, 4 sacks tonight with many more hits and hurries. If have to think so, I truly believe that is what its going to take to get an opportunity for our DBs to get some passes defended and hopefully even a pick or two. That will be the difference, if we can get a pick six it will decide the game.


NY Jets Injury Report

NAME	POSITION	INJURY	THU.	FRI.	SAT.	GAME STATUS
Aboushi, Oday	OL	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Allen, Antonio	S	Finger	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Colon, Willie	OL	Elbow	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Coples, Quinton	DE	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Cromartie, Antonio	CB	Hip	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Ellis, Kenrick	DT	Back	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Gates, Clyde	WR	Knee	LP	LP	DNP	Questionable
Goodson, Mike	RB	Hamstring	-	-	LP	Probable
Hill, Stephen	WR	Concussion	DNP	LP	FP	Probable
Holmes, Santonio	WR	Foot/Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Ivory, Chris	RB	Hamstring	DNP	LP	LP	Probable
McIntyre, Garrett	LB	Shoulder	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Milliner, Dee	CB	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Richardson, Sheldon	DT	Shoulder	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Smith, Geno	QB	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Walls, Darrin	CB	Shoulder	LP	FP	FP	Probable
Winslow, Kellen	TE	Knee	DNP	LP	DNP	Questionable

Atlanta Falcons Injury Report

NAME	POSITION	INJURY	THU.	FRI.	SAT.	GAME STATUS
Babineaux, Jonathan	DT	Foot	LP	LP	FP	Probable
Baker, Sam	T	Knee	-	-	-	Out
Coffman, Chase	TE	Knee	-	-	LP	Questionable
Davis, Drew	WR	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Dent, Akeem	LB	Ankle	-	-	-	Out
Jackson, Steven	RB	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Jones, Julio	WR	Knee	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Samuel, Asante	CB	Thigh	DNP	LP	LP	Questionable
White, Roddy	WR	Ankle	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Worrilow, Paul	LB	Knee	DNP	LP	LP	Questionable