Oh goodie a Jets fan
Actually question for you. About my OP anything you disagree with. I would like to get your perspective on it.
Actually a pretty great breakdown. Not something I'd post because I'd get torn apart for it, but good to see some level-headed posts/debates.
I just rewatched the highlights of the Jet's other 5 games and think this might be the toughest test the Pats have had all year. If they only play a so-so game they will get beat. They need to be up for this one and I think they know it. There are a lot of things the Jets do well you need to worry about and not a ton of weaknesses to exploit. Frankly they should be 5-0 as their loss to the Eagles was incredibly fluky on further review. Every other win has been a comfortable 2 score victory for them or more. I hope and believe the Pats will go into this game with that mind set. With that in mind here are my 10 thoughts.
It should definitely be the toughest test for both teams. Perhaps all season (until week 16). Great way to judge both teams regardless of the outcome.
Yeah, a so-so game from the Pats does most likely result in a Jets win. But even a good outing doesn't guarantee a Pats win. At the same time, it's too early to expect a consistent performance from the Jets. It's what I hope the team is striving for. Consistency. What the Pats are easily the best at.
The Eagles loss is a bit scary. The Eagles have shown they're a decent team but yeah Jets still should have won. We were w/0 Ivory and Decker though. But the scary thing is how Sproles killed us. Dion Lewis could do the same.
Their Offense
#1 Chris Ivory - He is right now one of the top RBs in the NFL. I think the Patriots going too undersized against them might be a mistake. He is not known for catching but he can do it if called upon. He is fast, quick, strong and hard to bring down. A very complete RB
Yup. Even if the Jets are down at halftime, if they've been pounding the rock with the Oline and Ivory a lot, I consider it comfortable as long as they're within two scores. That combination beating on the Dline eventually pays off in the second half.
#2 Big WRs - Marshall is having a heck of a year and Decker is not doing too bad himself. They are strong and break tackles if you let them. When you have them you need to be sure to bring them down cause they are play makers particularly Marshall. To make it even more concerning Fitzpatrick is not afraid to go deep and throw a pick and rely on his D if it goes wrong all to give his WRs a chance to make a big play . It seems Marshall and Decker tend to come down with those deep balls in tight coverage fairly often.
Right, but I will mention that Decker seems to be injury prone. Need a 3rd guy to step up for the inevitable Decker injuries. Perhaps our rookie Devin Smith, if him and Fitz can ever get some chemistry going. Devin has been open, but Fitz just misses him. Marshall (other than that dumb-ass lateral) has been awesome. He's getting a lot of targets, but honestly he deserves even more. Especially in the RZ.
Fitz will go deep, but is usually short. He's gotten better though. Instead of being so short the throw is gonna be picked, it just slows the WR down a bit. Allows for the catch, but misses the huge gain.
His running game has been great to see though. Wasn't doing it early on, but the last few weeks he's gotten more comfortable.
#4 OL - The Jets have one of the best OLs in the NFL. Fitzpatrick has dropped back near 200 times and has been sacked only 2 times and that is not cause he gets it out quick all the time. They hold up well and open big lanes. This will be a huge test for our DL.
This is awesome to see. Easily the most important factor on a team I think. Even more so than a QB. Hope it keeps up. However I have no clue how Fitz will respond once he gets hit.
This offense as a whole has talent everywhere and lets their below average QB try to make plays and does not get conservative unless up.
The conservative play at times is worrisome. They seem to go conservative a bit too early at times.
Their Defense
#5 DL - What can be said here? I won't go into it much but you know and i know this is a stacked unit. What you should also know is they now mix it up more than they use to. It is not just a blitz frenzy. They rush 3 and 4 and do all kinds of stunts. When they do blitz they tend to get there. I expect Tom to get the ball out fast particularly early on.
Perhaps best unit on the team. In the argument for best unit in the NFL and still improving with Sheldon getting back in game-shape and Williams learning. Absolutely love seeing the Dline shutdown RBs. Only problem this week is Brady will just throw it 60 times and kill ya anyway. They'll stop NE's running game, but w/o blitzing the Dline will need strong press coverage vs your WRs this week to have time to get to Brady. He just gets the ball out too fast. Blitzing could certainly help, but also allow for #12 to see it and then attack the hole.
#6 DBs - Revis is not as good as he was 5 years ago but still one of the top 5 CBs. He has lost a bit physically though but he is so smart and savvy and physical. Cromartie is big and likes to hit but can beat beat over the top sometimes if you have enough time. Usually you don't. He is a lot like Browner but a bit more versatile. Their slot CB Buster Skrine i hear is injured with a concussion and might not play. That could be an area to attack in that secondary. Not to mention i am not overly impressed with those safeties. It comes down to a question of time though.
Revis may still be the best CB in the league. But yeah, not quite what he was 5 years ago.
Cro was a little shaky early on, but last week was the best I've seen him play in years.
Skrine is also very good but not sure if he'll play with the concussion.
At CB there's also Milliner, Williams, McDougle, and Walls. All of whom could start on some other teams.
Safties: I'm happy with Pryor and Gilchrist. Gil is covering well and Pryor is starting to live up to his draft position last year. He's making some really good open-field tackles.
#7 LBs - This is a group that to me has more talent on the outside than the inside. ...
Disagree here. I like the ILBs more. At least until Mauldin learns more. Harris, though old, is still a beast. He actually seems to have gained a step this year and as always can blitz and plug a gap almost as good as a Dlineman. Davis is pretty quick for a 3-4 ILB too. I like Pace and Coples, but yeah you're dead on. They're too slow for coverage. Again, this is what I'm worried about this week. Dion could have a field-day with these guys trying to cover him.
Other
#8 Turnovers - The Jets have 15 and the only 2 teams that have more (Denver 17, Eagles 16) have played 1 more game. The Jets are aggressive in going for them and attack the ball. They have 8 FFs on the year with 7 recovered. When I say FF i mean it. They consistently attack the ball. The Pats are one of the best at not giving the ball away with a league low 3 Givaways. This will be strength against strength and will not just be about the Pats not making mistakes cause I said.. Many of these turnovers are forced by great pressure or great CB play or striping a ball out or hard hits. The Pats need to always be aware it is coming.
Right on.
#9 Coaching - These are not your Rex Ryan Jets. Todd Bowles is smart and not going to throw up all over himself. He was a great defensive coach in Arizona and seems to have a very BB approach. He is calm but focused. I don't think we will have the huge advantage in this department we have had in most of our games.
I like Rex and felt he was screwed over by Idzik. But this could be the case of lucking into a better option. We'll see soon enough. To early to tell. Early signs are promising though.
#10 Veteran team - This is a a team that has players that will do some dumb things on occasion but overall they are a smart savvy veteran team that will do their talking on the feild. They will not get too up or down for this game. They know it is important but will not get so crazy they commit 10+ penalties like the Bills or Come out hot and burn out like the Cowboys. I expect smart play from smart players who know how to play the situation.
Right. Better win soon though cause many of the vets are getting up there in age. Mangold and Brick most importantly.
Prediction: Pats get a hard fought home win in a game that would be way too close for comfort if played on the road Patriots 27 Jets 20 and it will be close all 4 quarters.
Surprise, but I have to disagree with ya here.
Jets 31 - Pats 20
Thanks for the great breakdown though. Well thought out and a good read.
*Had to remove some of your comments because limit is 10k characters.
