The New York Jets will play their first AFL legacy game this season, as they take on the Tennessee Titans tomorrow in Giants Stadium. Both teams will be wearing their original AFL franchise uniforms of 1960. Tennessee leads regular season series between the teams, 21-16-1. Interestingly, the Titans of New York (the original name of the Jets) never beat the Houston Oilers (the original name of the Titans) - they lost all 6 games to the Oilers in 1960-1962.
The Jets are 2-0 and will be looking to extend their undefeated streak against the Titans, who are 0-2 and have the 7th ranked offense in the NFL. The Jets, on the other hand, statistically have the best defense in the league, allowing only 241.0 yards per game.
Controlling the line of scrimmage will be essential to contain the powerful Titans' ground attack led by RB Chris Johnson and RB LenDale White. They have averaged 163 rushing yards per game thus far this season (5th in the league), with Johnson being second best in the NFL with 254 rushing yards (8.2 yards per carry). Former Jets' C Kevin Mawae fill face off against NT Kris Jenkins in a key matchup that might greatly influence the outcome of this game.
While the Titans' passing attack is not considered as dangerous as their ground game, they will be helped by the absence of CB LIto Sheppard and CB Donald Strickland who are both out for this game. CB Dwight Lowery, who started 10 games last season, will replace Sheppard in the starting lineup, while CB Drew Coleman will replace Strickland at the nickel back. Titans' QB Kerry Collins is an experienced precise passer with a good arm, but his immobility should make him an easy target for the Jets' defense that's been outstanding pressuring the quarterback so far this season.
During Rex Ryan’s tenure as defensive coordinator of Baltimore (2005-08), the Ravens faced Tennessee three times in the regular season (1-2) and once in the 2008 postseason (1-0).
Upcoming milestones:
DE Shaun Ellis will play his 142nd career game, which is second all-time among DE on the Jets (1st-Marty Lyons, 147). This will also be Ellis' 128th career start. Ellis also needs 3 sacks to tie Gerry Philbin for 3rd all-time Jets at 64.5.
NT Kris Jenkins will make his 97th career start, he needs just 1 sack to 25 career sacks.
RB Thomas Jones needs only 24 rushing yards to reach 8,000, looking to become the 40th running back to 8,000 in NFL history. Jones is also only 98 yards behind Freeman McNeil.
RB Leon Washington needs 61 return yards to tie JoJo Townsell (3,408) for second all-time on the Jets.
Fast facts:
Titans: Dating back to 10/13/91, club has won 2 of past 3 at NYJ. QB Kerry Collins ranks 3rd in NFL among active QBs with 37,853 passing yards (Brett Favre, 65,392; Peyton Manning; 46,232). In 1 career meeting at NYJ (w/NYG on 11/2/03), Collins completed 24 of 40 passes (60.0 pct.) for 303 yards with 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs and 100.3 passer rating. Against Texans last week, RB Chris Johnson became 1st player in NFL history to record 90+ yard rushing TD (91), 50+ yard rushing TD (57), and 60+ yard receiving TD (69) in game. Johnson set career highs in rush yards (197) and receiving yards (87) last week. WR Nate Washington recorded 1st TD reception as Titan last week. Rookie WR Kenny Britt (1st round, No. 30) is averaging 17.8 yards per catch in ’09 (6 receptions, 107 yards). Britt was born in Bayonne, N.J. and attended Rutgers. LB Keith Bulluck is New City, NY native. CB Cortland Finnegan aims for 2nd consecutive game with INT vs. Jets.
Jets: Club aims to start 3-0 for 1st time since ’04. QB Mark Sanchez (1st round, No. 5) aims to become 1st Jets rookie QB in franchise history to win 1st 3 starts of career. For career, RB Thomas Jones averages 102.6 rush yards per game when he has 20+ att. Since ’08 Jones is tied for AFC-best with 15 rush TDs (LenDale White, 15). RB Leon Washington totaled 8 carries for 82 yards (10.3 avg.) with 2 rush TDs in last meeting against Tennessee. Washington ranks 2nd in AFC with 29.4 KR avg. (Darrenn Sproles, 33.1 avg.). In 3 career games vs. Titans, WR Jerricho Cotchery averages 90.7 receiving yards per game (272 total). TE Dustin Keller registered 1st down in 4 of 6 receptions in last meeting against Titans. Keller averages 16.6 yards per catch in ’09. Jets are 1st team since ’06 (Falcons, Ravens, Broncos) to not allow rushing or passing TD in 1st 2 games of season. Pro Bowl CB Darrelle Revis posted 1st INT of ’09 last week. LB David Harris leads team with 16 tackles.
New York Jets Injury Report:
Out: CB Lito Sheppard (quadricep), CB Donald Strickland (ankle)
Questionable: G Matt Slauson (ankle)
Probable: QB Kellen Clemens (right elbow), DT Kris Jenkins (back), S Jim Leonhard (knee), CB Dwight Lowery (ankle), C Nick Mangold (toes), DT Sione Pouha (ankle), QB Mark Sanchez (knee), LB Bryan Thomas (ankle), LB Jamaal Westerman (quadricep), OT Damien Woody (shoulder), WR Wallace Wright (hamstring)
Tennessee Titans Injury Report:
Out: P Craig Hentrich (left calf)
Doubtful: LB Stanford Keglar (hamstring)
Questionable: G Eugene Amano (illness), PK Rob Bironas (right ankle), TE Bo Scaife (knee), QB Vince Young (illness)
If you have a twitter account, don't forget to do the J-E-T-S chant before the game.
The game will be broadcast by CBS (see if you can catch it on your local station). The kickoff is at 1PM EST.