Jets Fly To New England For Hate Bowl

After the thrilling victory in Indianapolis last Saturday, Jets Nation let out a collective sigh of relief, finally! The defense had come to life.

It was a masterful game plan to say the least.

Using Jason Taylor to spy Peyton Manning, almost no blitzing, deploying multiple d-backs and using safeties as linebackers. The Jets certainly gave the Colts some unfamiliar looks.

Seeing Rex Ryan actually substituting “One Of His Guys” Bart Scott, on some key plays shows Ryan is learning that sometimes it’s about the individual matchup, not the marquee value of a player.

BUT!!!

Despite a tremendous effort, Peyton Manning still struck fear in Jets fans, driving down the field with 59 seconds left to set up Adam Vinatieri for a late, 50 yd. go-ahead field goal.

The fact that Manning kept Indy in this game, despite a whopping 18 starters on injured reserve, most notably Dallas Clark, Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez, should raise some green and white flags.

DO NOT GO TO FOXBOROUGH FORGETTING THIS!

Fast forward to Sunday’s divisional playoffs.

Mike Pettine must expand on some of last week’s schemes and try to confuse and frustrate Brady.

Eliminating his pre-snap reads like the Cleveland Browns did in week 9 might be a good place to start.

New England’s precision route running must be disrupted at the line of scrimmage, receivers and tight ends must get pounded early and often.

And more importantly, they need take away Tom Brady’s safety blankets, Benjarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead, who have been quite effective catching the ball out of the backfield combining for 46 catches for 464 yards and running the ball for over 1, 500 yards and 19 td’s combined.

Hopefully Brian Schottenheimer called the Packers and Matt Flynn this week to find out exactly how he outplayed Brady. (24-of-37 passes for 251 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Brady went 15-of-24 for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns)

Schottenheimer must figure out a way to put numbers on the board every quarter of this game without being forced to go to the air.

The ground attack must be sustained or this game is OVER.

Rex! If you win the toss, take the ball first and score, it’s now or never!

NY fans would like nothing more than to watch Gang Green triumphantly walk off the field this Sunday night.

To see the look on Belichick’s face in defeat while having flashbacks of his abrupt resignation as “HC of the NYJ” would even make losing the week after not so painful for some.

But, if Sunday goes in favor of New England, Jets fans should still be proud of what this team has accomplished with a 2^nd year head coach and QB, and thankful for another year of exciting football.