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

Don't drink the Kool-Aid at least until after week 4!

New York Jets Vs. Tennessee Titans

Sunday 9/29 @ 4:05 PM on CBS

       We all saw the game in Week 3 versus the Bills. It's too easy after a game like that to start daydreaming of finally getting back to the BIG GAME... and of course the big game is in NY which makes the sparkly lights that much prettier.  But I have to say STAY AWAY FROM THE KOOL AID! At least until after week 4! We can not just take these 3 games and see the streaks of Brilliance in coaching, see the brilliant poise of our new rookie QB, see the terrifically stout defensive line and the rock solid offensive front and think we are a lock! There are a few factors in this road game against a team just as hungry that we gotta see corrected and if we do...then I'll say OOOOOHHHHH YEEEAAAAAH!

Defensive Breakdowns and Penalties

       

As lock down as we have seen the Jets D these past weeks, there are consistently 2 or 3 breakdowns in coverage that lead to huge gains and these games are too close and the margin for error to small to allow that to continue.  We already know what happens when we let that happen versus Tennesse, last year the D fell asleep after stopping Johnson (Tenn-RB) for a loss but no one put him on the ground and he turned the corner and burned us for a really long TD. Last week both teams had a lot of penalties, hopefully Ryan's Push ups tactics worked and we can limit those mental mistakes. Titans do not force many penalties so lets not give them any freebies. In first 3 games: Titans-26 penalties for 246 yards/ NYJ- 34 penalties for 279 yards. 

Create Turnovers!

        They say with a rookie QB you have to expect mental mistakes and a few turnovers. The Jets are having a lot of trouble forcing the turnover on the other side of the ball and that needs to be corrected in order to keep us in the game. Locker has yet to turn the ball over and Geno has had multiple interceptions in each of the last 3 games. There are only so many games you will win with a negative turnover ratio and I don't think this will be one of them. Lockers been sacked 7 times already in the first 3 games, lets make sure he knows that week pressure he has seen the past two weeks was definitely not the same as the suffocating pressure Rex is going to put on him-lets get some strips while we're in there! Turnover ratios in first 3 games: Titans  -4    NYJ -6

Stay in Attack Mode

       Offensive line has been doing a great job of keeping Geno of the turf and I am confident they will be able to keep it up against this Titans offense. Mornhinweg has to keep his foot on the throttle and stick it to the Titans D early and often. I'm not saying that he has to keep going for the long ball, even though Geno is tied with Aaron freaking Rogers with the most plays of 20+ yards! Spread the offense with a few dink and dunks, a few slants and of course get Billal his carries and THEN go for that beautiful long ball to Hill and Holmes! Remember Geno... YOUR SHORT, Titans D isn't great but one thing they are good at is their pass defense keep your eyes up high and your release up higher!  

What does ESPN know anyway?

BEST FANS IN THE NFL PERIOD! (exclamation-whatever)

There are no greater fans in professional sports than JETS FANS! Which is why I must say that ESPN Mags assessment that we are second to last as a franchise and as fans out off 122 professional sports teams, second to last over the lowly Memphis grizzlies-really? Jets fans may groan like any other NFL fan but there is no fan more energetic, more driven, or more loyal than us and I believe that whole-heartedly. One of the reasons I love being a Jet fan. We Jets fans typically fit in one of two categories.... we are either way too eager to say "this is the year", or your that ridiculously pessimistic/vindictive fan that has been burned too many times to let yourself get caught up in the hype but too loyal to turn to big blue.   We will stand together for gang green through dismal years, through constant rebuilding, through one disappointing trade to the next. We will sit faithfully to the end of (almost) any game, in the freezing cold watching and waiting for that Jets magic in the weaning seconds and win or lose come the following Sunday-We support our team and we stand by our franchise.

  J-E-T-S J-E-T-S J-E-T-S

Week 3 Preview Jets-Bills

     The two AFC east 1-1 teams head into Metlife with a lot more underlying stories than people are talking about! The Return of the Jets best pass rusher, OLB Coples only a month removed from surgery, and one of the Jets best rec in Jeremy Kerley. Rex Ryan and former defensive coordinator Mike Pettine are meeting for the first time since Pettine took the same position with the Bills. Rookie EJ Manuel, who has looked stellar in his first two weeks, takes on a familiar face in Geno Smith who has looked, eh...ok?

   

Geno insists that there is no competition between his good friend E.J and himself, says its all about JETS v BILLS-I think he's right about one thing, there is no competition-not yet. He insists those feelings during the draft are behind him but as tight as Geno was about not going in the first round AND going as the second QB behind E.J, I have to hope that chip is still there. Geno needs that competitive edge this week, he needs there to be a competition between him and E.J and god I hope

      With a cumulative QB Rating of 95.9 over the first 2 games E.J Manuel is easily starting to shape up as THE QB pick of 2013, but this class is NOT the QB class of 2012. Smith hasn't looked horrible by any stretch of the imagination but if you look at the comparison from the last 2 games, it really doesn't look good for Geno with a rating of 55.2. Smith has the edge on yardage but completion percentages, TD-INT ratio- it seems Manuel is running away so far but lets see how well he stacks up against the JETS D! On the other side of that coin is the Bills D-line, they have stacked up 9 sacks in the first two games while the other side of the ball has only allowed 1. Jets will have to bring serious pressure to get to Manuel and hopefully the Jets Offensive line can hold their ground much better than they have been, allowing 9 sacks but only getting the opposing QB down 4 times, and be sure to keep Mario Williams (5 sacks) out of Geno's face!

     Quinton Coples had surgery on his right ankle less than 4 weeks ago and is expected to get limited reps

this weekend vs. Buffalo. Jeremy Kerley, receiver and punt returner, was cleared by team doctors to get back on the field after suffering a concussion 2 weeks ago vs the Bucs. Both players are expecte
d to play but not much, bet regardless it will be welcomed return for Kerly after the Jets suffered from one of the worst cases of the drops that I have seen in a long time and had virtually no punts returned at all. Coples being out has got to be a large reason why the Jets have not gotten to opposing QBs, his replacements McIntyre and Barnes just haven't been getting it done!

   

      Mike Pettine ended up the scapegoat for all of the locker room leaks last year and took his talents to Buffalo because of it. Obviously he wasn't the leaks considering all of the gossip that comes pouring out of the Jets camp daily! Obviously Rex knew he wasn't the cause and with the new GM coming on, you have to think Pettine knew Idzik would start right away with sending a message by trimming the fat. Pettine says he would have gone back had the position not been offered but I think he knew he would have been made an example and beat the GM to the punch by volunteering to step aside and move to Buffalo.

MARK CANNIZARO from the NY Post reports that Ryan said the following:

“Mike Pettine can stand on his own,’’ ... “He’s a tremendous football coach. It won’t be long before he’ll get his own opportunity to be a head coach. We were together for a long time. He’s somebody that I’m extremely proud of. We’re like brothers.’’

NY Jets Injury Report

NAME	POSITION	INJURY	WED.	THU.	FRI.	GAME STATUS
Aboushi, Oday	OL	Knee	-	LP	Out	Out
Colon, Willie	OL	Knee	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Coples, Quinton	DE	Ankle	LP	LP	LP	Probable
Cromartie, Antonio	CB	Hip	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Ellis, Kenrick	DT	Back	LP	LP	LP	Probable
Gates, Clyde	WR	Knee	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Hill, Stephen	WR	Knee	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Holmes, Santonio	WR	Foot	LP	DNP	LP	Probable
Howard, Austin	T	Ribs	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Kerley, Jeremy	WR	Concussion	FP	FP	FP	Probable
McIntyre, Garrett	LB	Knee	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Powell, Bilal	RB	Illness/Shoulder	DNP	FP	FP	Probable
Richardson, Sheldon	DL	Shoulder	LP	LP	LP	Probable
Smith, Geno	QB	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Wilkerson, Muhammad	DL	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Winslow, Kellen	TE	Knee	LP	LP	LP	Probable

Buffalo Bills Injury Report

NAME	POSITION	INJURY	WED.	THU.	FRI.	GAME STATUS
Brooks, Ron	DB	Foot	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Byrd, Jairus	S	Foot	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Gilmore, Stephon	DB	Wrist	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Goodwin, Marquise	WR	Hand	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Hopkins, Dustin	K	Right Groin	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Legursky, Doug	OL	Knee	LP	LP	LP	Out