PACKERS @ JETS PREVIEW!

NY Jets Present Toughest Test Yet

GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-3)
2nd Place in NFC North
Total Offense Rank (ypg): 11th
Total Defense Rank (ypg): 18th
League Standing: 14th

NEW YORK JETS (5-1)
1st Place in AFC East
Total Offense Rank (ypg): 17th
Total Defense Rank (ypg): 12th
League Standing: 2nd

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As if last week's contest wasn't tough enough, here come the Jets! The Packers make a rare visit to New York to face a well rested Jets team that is fresh off their bye week. There is no arguing that at 5-1, the New York Jets are a dominant force in the NFL. While ranking in the middle of the pack in overall defense and offense, you can't argue with wins, and New York has a lot of those.
At quarterback, second year man Mark Sanchez has 9 TD's and just 2 INT's on the year. Despite his marked improvement from last season in the area of quick thinking and decision making, to say he has been very accurate would not be a fair statement. In fact, Sanchez has completed just 98 of his 177 pass attempts so far for a completion percentage of 55.4. He has not been forced to make many risky throws this year, largely due to the success of their ground game. New York's rushing attack ranks 2nd in the league, and will pose the biggest threat for a patchwork Packer defense looking to remain consistent in light of a rash of injuries. The Jet's feature a backfield committee of RB Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson. The duo accounts for 6 TD's so far so it is clear they find the end zone at least once per game. Stuffing the run will really be the key to this victory. Additionally, a run-heavy offense means there will be some opportunities to create turnovers. The Jet's have 4 fumbles on the year, and if the Packers can keep their wits about them, pouncing on a loose ball can really be the difference maker. At WR, the Jets boast a formidable pair in Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes. Keeping tabs on them is very important, but no doubt less paramount than stopping the run.
The Packers offense is really going to have their hands full. Jets coach Rex Ryan is known as a defensive guru, and it's showing up in big ways this year. They're allowing 16.8 points per game, and that was without all-star CB Darrelle Revis, who is returning from a pulled hamstring after the bye week. By the way, the guy on the other side, CB Antonio Cromartie isn't too shabby either. Between those two, Green Bay's wide receivers are going to have to work pretty hard to get open down the field. They may have better luck targeting the middle of the field, which is frequently wide open in the Jet's blitz-happy defensive scheme. Statistics indicate that New York tends to blitz on well over 50% of their defensive snaps. Luckily, the Packers offense has a lot of experience practicing against it's own heavy blitzing defensive unit. The Jets are averaging about 90 rushing yards given up per game, and wouldn't you know it, that's just about how many yards the Packers tend to put up. If the line does it's job, and doesn't wear itself out, I think the Packers have a pretty good shot at this one. This will certainly be a real character builder for our boys, and here's hoping they can gear up, nose down, and push through.