Posts
I prayed as hard as imaginable to avoid a situation where my New York Jets would face Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Unfortunately, all that praying didn't work, and the Jets will see the NFL player that scares me the most. As the Tennesee Titans were driving last week, I was feeling good as I thought the Titans were on their way to sending the Jets to Kansas City. Unfortunately Kerry Collins did his best Rex Grossman and fumbled the snap, and thus the game away to the Colts.
Regardless, before I break into the same rage I was in last week watching it, I will talk about the game itself.
It has been an interesting season for the New York Jets to say the least. Exploits both on the field and off have made for the most interesting season in recent memory for the Jets. Dramatic wins in the last minute of games, the Boston massacre at the hands of the Patriots, "tripgate", and "footgate" have contributed to a wild Jets season.
The Colts have struggled by their standards this season as they needed to win the last four games of the season to get into the postseason, winning the AFC South at 10-6. The Colts have suffered through several key injuries, namely to offensive skill players TE Dallas Clark, WR Austin Collie and RB Joseph Addai.
While Peyton Manning threw for 4,700 yards and 33 touchdowns he also threw 17 interceptions, 11 of them coming in a rough three game stretch against the Cowboys, Patriots, and Chargers where the Colts lost three straight and nearly compromised their playoff chances in the process. This season was probably the most trying season for the Colts in some time, as they dealt with more adversity than they usually do. Normally they have the AFC South division wrapped up by the beginning of December, but clinched in week 17 this season. Peyton Manning went through the worst three game stretch of his career and the Colts dealt with several key injuries. Despite all of that the Colts still made the postseason, and come into the postseason on a four game win streak.
Thoughts on the game:
-Can the Jets offense step up? Can they sustain drives long enough to help themselves and their defense? The Jet offense has been highly inconsistent all season long, but they have been better in recent weeks with good showings in road games against the Steelers and Bears. The Jets have the skill players to get it done, but often times disjointed playcalling from OC Brian Schotteinheimer and inconsistency from second year QB Mark Sanchez adversely affect the offense's production.
-The Jets have lacked a pass rush for the majority of the season as quarterbacks often sat in the pocket with an eternity to throw the ball. Fortunately for the team, they have arguably the best CB tandem in the NFL featuring all world CB Darrelle Revis and CB Antonio Cromartie which have been a significant help in masking the deficiencies in the front seven.
-How often will the Colts exploit the Jets LBs and nickel/dime backs in coverage? That has been a weak point of the Jets defense all year, as teams have consistently gone to that well and the middle of the field has been open 24/7. Dallas Clark being out there would cause major problems as he's an All Pro tight end, but Jacob Tamme has been solid in his absence. He's built in a similar mold, as he's a pass catching tight end with wide receiver like qualities. The Jets have nobody who can handle him in coverage, and nobody is better at exploiting a mismatch than Peyton Manning.
Final thoughts and prediction:
While I truly believe the Jets are the better overall team, the Colts have Peyton Manning, and I don't feel the Jets team is well enough equipped to deal with him.
Colts 27 Jets 23
Regardless, before I break into the same rage I was in last week watching it, I will talk about the game itself.
It has been an interesting season for the New York Jets to say the least. Exploits both on the field and off have made for the most interesting season in recent memory for the Jets. Dramatic wins in the last minute of games, the Boston massacre at the hands of the Patriots, "tripgate", and "footgate" have contributed to a wild Jets season.
The Colts have struggled by their standards this season as they needed to win the last four games of the season to get into the postseason, winning the AFC South at 10-6. The Colts have suffered through several key injuries, namely to offensive skill players TE Dallas Clark, WR Austin Collie and RB Joseph Addai.
While Peyton Manning threw for 4,700 yards and 33 touchdowns he also threw 17 interceptions, 11 of them coming in a rough three game stretch against the Cowboys, Patriots, and Chargers where the Colts lost three straight and nearly compromised their playoff chances in the process. This season was probably the most trying season for the Colts in some time, as they dealt with more adversity than they usually do. Normally they have the AFC South division wrapped up by the beginning of December, but clinched in week 17 this season. Peyton Manning went through the worst three game stretch of his career and the Colts dealt with several key injuries. Despite all of that the Colts still made the postseason, and come into the postseason on a four game win streak.
Thoughts on the game:
-Can the Jets offense step up? Can they sustain drives long enough to help themselves and their defense? The Jet offense has been highly inconsistent all season long, but they have been better in recent weeks with good showings in road games against the Steelers and Bears. The Jets have the skill players to get it done, but often times disjointed playcalling from OC Brian Schotteinheimer and inconsistency from second year QB Mark Sanchez adversely affect the offense's production.
-The Jets have lacked a pass rush for the majority of the season as quarterbacks often sat in the pocket with an eternity to throw the ball. Fortunately for the team, they have arguably the best CB tandem in the NFL featuring all world CB Darrelle Revis and CB Antonio Cromartie which have been a significant help in masking the deficiencies in the front seven.
-How often will the Colts exploit the Jets LBs and nickel/dime backs in coverage? That has been a weak point of the Jets defense all year, as teams have consistently gone to that well and the middle of the field has been open 24/7. Dallas Clark being out there would cause major problems as he's an All Pro tight end, but Jacob Tamme has been solid in his absence. He's built in a similar mold, as he's a pass catching tight end with wide receiver like qualities. The Jets have nobody who can handle him in coverage, and nobody is better at exploiting a mismatch than Peyton Manning.
Final thoughts and prediction:
While I truly believe the Jets are the better overall team, the Colts have Peyton Manning, and I don't feel the Jets team is well enough equipped to deal with him.
Colts 27 Jets 23
0 comments:
Post a Comment