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