This game really is a proving ground. The Jets need to kick a team when they're down and go for the jugular - which historically they rarely do. Go Jets, goddamn it.
I think those looking at this game as a blowout are being overconfident...the only good thing about that is we are on a messageboard...I doubt the team looks at it that way so it doesn't matter...I too feel we have the defense to hold them since Collins is prone to mistakes and stopping Chris Johnson = stopping the Titans but we need Jenkins to play like he did last season and Sanchez to mirror B.Favre because those two were critical to our win last season,Revis will always be critical but the Titans don't have a legit number one so in a way it works to their favor they can spread it around....The Titans are a solid team and losing to the Texans doesn't change a thing they will bring it... Leon/TJ should be able to run the ball but if Sanchez plays like a rookie (just a matter of time unless he is one of kind) we will struggle...all I can think about is his first few snaps against Baltimore in the pre-season...he looked completely out of his depth...I just hope the Titans don't do the same to him....
I don't expect a blowout ever with a rookie QB.... I'd hope the running game could get going and TJ and Leon run all day while the Defense shuts down CJ...... Rookie QB mistakes always leaves the door open for the unexpected - then again, so did Favre or Chad.
We definitely need to establish the run like we did last year. It opened up a lot and will continue to take the pressure off of our rookie QB.
Don't expect a blow out? The texan's game was a blowout. Sanchez is ready and has shown very few signs of being a "rookie" QB, he is doing veteran moves, before getting hit in the houston game instead of running backwards he back peddled and threw over Mario Williams for the completion. Titans will be beat, by more than a two scoring game.
This game concerns me because the Titans are too good a team to be 0-2. In fact, they could very easily be undefeated right now. Plus, they have New England and Indy coming up on their schedule soon so they really can't afford to go to 0-3--this is just about as close to a must win for them as a week 3 game can be. I'm not worried that this will be a trap game for the Jets. But I'm worried that the Titans are a much better team than they are getting credit for. The Jets haven't had their intensity level matched so far this season; that will change on Sunday.
REX SAID ON MIKE AND MIKE: They (Titans) are a dangerous team because they are desperate for a win, but you know what - so are we. Awesome...
I would not take this opponent lightly. On the surface it is a bad matchup for Tennesee. However, They are in fact a good team w/ the components to be dangerous on the road, they are coached by jeff Fisher which must not be ignored, and they will be looking for revenge for last season's beatdown. Our defensive game plan this week will likely be alot different than the patsies. DL Front: Rather than hitting the outer tackle gaps in an attempt to get to Brady(the PATS OL weakness is the Tackles), this week the goal will be proper gap responsibility, and hit the interior gaps to get to Collins.The Titans OL weakness is in the guards and center. I expect Devito and the other reserve DL's to be reactivated this week for a physical dog fight. Stop the run, and rush right up the gut in Collins face LB: There will be alot more interior blitzes from Scott and Harris due to what is mentioned above, and they will have to concentrate alot more on the running game. I expect Gholston and Westerman to have much larger roles in this game. Last week the DB's supplied alot of the pass rush...this week it will be on the LB's. Gholston could play a big role in this one. Collapsing the interior pocket will be key. Gholston does that well. DB's: I expect alot more bump and run up at the line to challenge the Titans questionable WR's and to mitigate Chris Johnson's running lanes. I don't expect to see as many blitzes from this unit as the Titans have much better Outside pass protection than the Pats. The DB's challenge will be to be aggressive, Prevent the big play, and to take away the large running/cut back lanes from Chris Johnson. I wouldnt be surprised if a guy like Ahmed Carroll or Eric Smith is given the task of shadowing Chris Johnson. Overall:The Titans will try to take away the jets ability to apply pressure by running a steady mix of chris johnson and Lendale White...including many Draws and screens to counter the aggression. Front 7 must be stout and physical against the run, be able to get pressure on the Titans weak interior line...and must beware of screen plays to Chris Johnson. Db's need to take away Johnson's sideline-to-sideline cut back lanes, be physical w/ the Titans WR's and prevent the big play.
Terrific, excellent post, Kurt. I'm interested in your opinion on the offensive side of the ball, particularly our O-line and TJ's chances of getting more than 2 YPC on most of his attempts (all but 5). We can't rely on Sanchez pulling out 3rd and long situations like Week One. Is there any hope in this game of having a better balance in our offense? Taking some of the pressure off of Sanchez would be a good thing.
Of the first three games, this is the one where you miss Pace the most. He's great at sniffing out those delayed plays like draws and screens. Pats run them too, but they run more to Welker now and him being out nullified those. Gholston has to stay at home and play smart on plays where he's not rushing.
Despite how well he has performmed thus far, teams are still gonna load up 8 or 9 in the box and challenge Sanchez to beat them. Unfortunately what that means is 2.5 yards and a cloud of dust for the running game until the Titans/other teams wear down/lay off in the early 4th qtr. Teams have no choice but load up the box, b/c the Jets OL is too good at blocking 7 man fronts and Keller/Washington are too good in the flats. They have no choice but to bank on the rookie making a key mistake. I'd like to see a few more screens and sweeps to Leon to make defenses respect the edge and keep us out of 3rd and long situations. It's been tough to do that the past couple weeks b/c the Pats are typically very disciplined against screens and the Texans just have too much speed on the edge w/ guys like Mario Williams and Brian Cushing. Titans have some quality guys on the edge...but they are older guys who are up there in age(Bullock,Kearse,etc). I think there are some good opportunities for this week.
Good one. I think you've just given us a preview of what Rex will be working on... getting Leon outside, making them respect that and spreading them a little. I'm not concerned about Sanchez being able to throw the ball against them successfully (in fact, I think he'll have a good day), it's just that you can't make a living doing that constantly on 3rd and longs all day long. I think Keller is key also, as you said. Look for him to have a good day. We need to move the chains more successfully than we did in the 1st half of the NE game, for example, and that will keep our DEF fresh. I expect Collins to have an absolutely horrible day... possibly an injury even, if we can force him into 3rd and longs. The only way to do that is to limit the run, not an easy task I'm afraid. As you said, Fisher is a cunning coach and it should be interesting (the adjustments, etc) between Ryan and him. The Titans are a proud team and haven't forgotten last year. They're also looking down the barrel of an 0-3 start, so the players themselves will be motivated as hell. The crowd will help get it over the top: Jets 31 - Titans 23
Don't say that.Dont' even think that. Our History against the Oilers, especially in big spots is dismal.
Are you kidding me? We haven't given up a TD in two weeks to 2 superior offensive teams, and now a team whose offense we absolutely dominated last season and returns pretty much intact, is going to light us up for 23? Or did you mean 7 FG's and a Safety? 24-9
With those two outcomes you guys are talking dominating the wounded, well-coached, unbelievably motivated Titans. I hope you're right and I'm wrong then, but I also hope our team doesn't think this way. I take this game pretty seriously. This won't be a cake walk.
