Schwartz: Broncos Vs. Jets Preview
By Peter Schwartz
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Jets head coach Rex Ryan was right earlier this week.
Winning the AFC East is doubtful. At 5-4, including two losses to New England, the Jets are likely headed toward a familiar road to the postseason. They are going to have to focus on the wild card route and they are very much alive in the race for a playoff berth.
The truth is the playoffs start now. Every game must be treated as a must-win, starting tonight against the Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. It was a short work week for the Jets, who quickly turned the page from Sunday night's disaster.
"We're looking at Denver," said Ryan. "That's the only way we're going to get in the playoffs. You have to win one game, one game per week, and that's the way we'll approach it."
With such little time to prepare, the Jets crammed a lot into the three days in between games. On Monday, they had a walk-through. Tuesday brought the only full practice of the week. On Wednesday, it was another walk-through before flying out to Colorado.
"The preparation, you just have to take it one day at a time and put as much preparation as you can into it," said Darrelle Revis. "We'll be prepared for Thursday."
What the Jets are preparing for is probably the most unconventional offense in the NFL, led by former University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow (3-1 since being named the starter).
Just how unconventional are the Broncos?
Well, the option has arrived in the NFL.
"I think every week we're trying to come up with something different and it's not necessarily the same thing and we're trying to just keep defenses off balance and however we can do that, we're going to try to do that," said Tebow.
Tebow completed two of just eight passes for 69 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 17-10 win over the Chiefs in Kansas City. As a team, they ran the ball 55 times for 244 yards.
It will certainly be a challenge for the Jets defense. They will be facing an offense that is the complete antithesis of what they faced against Tom Brady and the Patriots. The Broncos like to run and run and run. But, they still have to beware the erratic Tebow.
"The thing with him is you have to stay disciplined because as inconsistent as he is throwing the football, all of sudden, he'll make a throw where you look at it and go, 'Wow, that was impressive,' " said Jim Leonhard "For the most part, those throws have been touchdowns."
It's true.
Tebow has completed just 44 percent of his passes, but of 47 completions, seven of them have been for touchdowns. While the Broncos have the 22nd ranked total offense in the NFL, their defense has played a big role in their recent success. The Broncos are ranked 18th in total defense, but they do get pressure on the quarterback as they have racked up 24 sacks.
"I think that's definitely their strong point," said Mark Sanchez. "They fly around to the football. They're all very fast. It's obvious on film. I think (Brian) Dawkins, Champ Bailey, (Elvis) Dumervil and even the rookie, Von Miller, have all been great players this season, so it's going to be a great challenge for us."
The Jets offense is a little banged up as they get set to face the Broncos.
LaDainian Tomlinson is out because of a knee injury suffered late in the loss to the Patriots. That means that fourth round draft pick Bilal Powell is expected to make his NFL debut.
He's worked very hard in practice this season and this opportunity mirrors the chance that another Jets running back had a couple of years ago.
"Remember Shonn Greene, when he wasn't up a few years ago?" said Ryan. "You saw the guy progressing and all that kind of stuff, and then his work on scout teams and on special teams and all that. Sometimes you get an opportunity and you never leave. That's basically what happened with Shonn Greene. So we'll see, but I like the way that he looks on the practice field."
Wide receiver Jeremy Kerley is also out because of a knee injury, so it's likely that the Jets will dress former Bronco Eron Riley for the first time.
Regardless of who plays and who doesn't, the Jets have to win. They have a golden opportunity to make the playoffs in a weak AFC field. After facing the 4-5 Broncos, the Jets face the Bills, Redskins and Chiefs. Just taking care of business can put the Jets in position for another postseason run.
But are they still a team that should be reckoned with?
"Yeah, we're still a playoff team," said Antonio Cromartie. "We still have a chance at being in the playoffs. We have the guys and the coaching staff that can get us there. For us, we just have to go out every single week and just do what we're supposed to do."
That hasn't always been the case with the Jets, but they do have a good track record in one respect since Ryan took over in 2009. Just when things seem bleak and they are facing adversity, the Jets seem to find a way to get things back on track.
JET LINERS
The Jets will be looking for their fourth straight Thursday victory. Last season, they beat the Bengals 26-10 on Thanksgiving night. In 2009, they knocked off the Bills in Toronto and in 2008, they beat the Patriots 34-31 in overtime up in Foxboro.
Since week five, Shonn Greene has averaged 81.2 yards per game on the ground.
The Jets defense has held opponents to a 31.3 percent conversion rate on third down, the 2nd best mark in the NFL. The Lions are first at 28.5 percent.
Plaxico Burress has scored five of his six touchdowns inside the red zone.
THE JETS/BRONCOS SERIES
This will be the 33rd regular season meeting between the former AFL teams with the Broncos leading the all-time series 16-15-1. The Jets are 8-9 all-time at Denver.
Last year, the Jets scored a 24-20 win in Denver. The Broncos won the only post-season meeting between the two clubs beating the Jets 23-10 in the AFC championship game in January of 1999.
THE PREDICTION
As I mentioned before, the Jets seem to take flight when they are facing adversity and I expect them to do the same tonight. Tebow will give them some fits, but in the end, the Jets are the better team.
Jets 23 Broncos 13
That's all for now! Check back on Friday for more.
Enjoy the game!
Your prediction for Jets-Broncos? Let 'er rip in the comments below...
