Titans Jets Preview

Added on Sep 26, 2009 by sbworld in

NFL

This game’s line has the Jets as either a 2-point or 2.-5-point favorite depending on the book. The line is set at 37.

If you would have told someone that the Titans would be 0-2 and the Jets would be 2-0 two weeks into the season, it might be tough for that person to believe you. Tennessee has lost a couple of heartbreakers to Pittsburgh (in OT) and by a 34-31 score in its home opener against Houston. But the Titans also have the longest tenured coach in the NFL in Jeff Fisher, who knows through a wealth of experience that the year isn’t won or lost in two games.

But if Tennessee is going to get back to the type of team it was in 2008 as a 13-3 division winner, it must be better on defense particularly against the pass. Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Schaub routinely tore apart the Titans through the air and Jets rookie Mark Sanchez probably has similar ideas on his mind. Tennessee must respect what Sanchez has done in the first two weeks as he has led New York to a 2-0 start, but it also must give him the rookie treatment and pressure him consistently as well as throw different coverages at him all afternoon.

The Titans offense showed more life against Houston as it gained 449 yards, including a huge 197-yard rushing performance by Chris Johnson. But the Jets defense has done a great job with its unique looks as it has bottled up Houston and New England in its two games with safety blitzes and other constant pressure, If Tennessee wants to find a way to win its first game of the season, it must protect veteran quarterback Kerry Collins and open running lanes for Johnson and LenDale White where New York’s previous two opponents could not.

Back to Sanchez. Here is a rookie who is doing what Falcons second-year gungslinger Matt Ryan did in 2008: win games. Except through two contests, Sanchez’ numbers far exceed what Ryan was able to accomplish. The rookie has found playmakers he can count on and it appears like the sky is the limit for him. He is reported to have minor knee tendinitis and is listed as probable on the injury report, but don’t expect that to hamper the kid. He has received a consistent running game courtesy of Thomas Jones (34 carries, 161 yards) and Leon Washington (29 carries, 118 yards), while Jericho Cotchery (10 catches, 177 yards) has become a solid go-to target.

It looks like the difference in this game will be how well Tennessee can stop the Jets offensive attack and how well it can move the ball against a better than expected New York defense. Expect New York to put up some points, but if the Titans can find the end zone on a few occasions and put Sanchez in a comeback situation it might be too much for him to handle. The Jets have not trailed by more than six points yet, so it remains to be seen if Sanchez can handle adversity.

Tennessee simply must be more consistent on both sides of the ball. When it plays up to its caliber, it has the potential to defeat anyone. When it is sloppy and allowing the opponent to dictate the flow of the game, it leads to losses as it did in the first two weeks. New York doesn’t have too many secrets to its approach, so if the Titans bring their ‘A’ game they should be able to pull off the minor upset.

Prediction: Tennessee 27, New York 20