NEW YORK JETS SET TO AVENGE LAST WEEKS PERFORMANCE, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL

After being beaten up by the Oakland Raiders there is no relief in sight for Mark Sanchez and Gang Green. The New York Jets head to M&T Bank Stadium Sunday night to face the Baltimore Ravens and they will be looking to get things back to normal after being manhandled in the Black Hole last week. The Ravens are coming off of an impressive 37-7 victory over the St Louis Rams in which the offense rolled up 400+ yards by halftime. Let’s take a look at 4 questions heading into this game:

1)Who will play center for the New York Jets?

As I sit here right now Nick Mangold is listed as a game time decision. My guess is that if the game were to be played at 1pm tomorrow than Mangold would be out. Given they’re playing a night game the extra hours may allow for the All Pro Center to suit up for the Jets. He missed last week against Oakland with a high ankle sprain and has been tirelessly working to get back into the lineup this week. His backup last week, Colin Baxter(an undrafted rookie from San Diego), filled in admirably for the injured Mangold but we’re talking about the best center in the game. His line reads and his ability to stabilize Mark Sanchez’ game cannot be overlooked. If he can is healthy enough to go expect to see Nick Mangold vs Haloti Ngata Sunday night in primetime. If not, expect Mark Sanchez to be on his back for majority of the game.

2)Can the NY Jets run defense contain pro-bowl RB Ray Rice?

Before the season began the answer to this question would’ve been a resounding YES. The last time these two teams played, Week 1 last season, they Jets held Rice to under 50yds rushing. Well, fast forward 3 weeks into the 2011 season and we find the vaunted Rex Ryan led NY Jet rush defense ranked 31st in the league. Add this to the fact that Ray Rice is a matchup nightmare and one of the most complete backs in the league and the NY Jet defense is in for hell of a test. Gang Green’s defense said it last week before going up against Run DMC and they’ve said it all this week, “we have got to set the edge”. If they can stay true to their word and force Rice back to the middle the Ravens may be forced to put the ball in Flacco’s hands. We’re going to find out Sunday night if last week’s defensive performance was a fluke or if it’s time to worry in NY.

3)Will the NY Jets front 7 be able to get pressure on Flacco?

This week the Ravens will be starting their backup center and a backup guard. The Jets defense needs to make them pay for doing so if they want to stay in this game. Expect mammoth rookie NT Kenrick Ellis to be active this week for the Jets. This will allow NY to move Sione Pouha to defensive end with Mo Wilkerson and then they can rotate Mike DeVito and Ropati Pitoitua in for those 2 DE’s and keep everyone fresher later in the game. I fully expect Rex and DC Mike Pettine to dial up the blitzes this week. With Darelle Revis locked down on Boldin and Cromartie on rookie sensation Torrey Smith the Jets will continually stack the box and pressure Flacco. Recently activated/resigned OLB Aaron Maybin should provide some speed off the edge, something Rex Ryans defense desperately needs. Gang Green boasts the #6 passing defense in the NFL and if they can rattle Flacco early I fully expect to see them a few spots higher next week.

4)Which NYJ offense will we see? Will they Ground & Pound or will they be forced to air it out against a banged up Raven secondary?

New York comes into this game ranked 25th in the league in rushing attack and they will face a stout run defense in Baltimore(#8in rush defense). Haloti Ngata, Terrel Suggs and Ray Rice have the ability to make the Jets offense one dimensional. If the Jets offensive line can get in a good rhythm and allow the running game to find its legs they will open up the play action pass for Sanchez to exploit the banged up Ravens secondary. Sanchez should be able to find success with short passes and quick slants, something Santonio Holmes exceeds at. At the end of the day, it all lies with the offensive line. If they play good, penalty free football and can keep the Sanchize off of his back then the Jets have a good shot to win this game. If they cannot, well then this game will look a lot like last week’s performance in Oakland.

Come Sunday night we will find out if the NY Jets are for real or if it’s time for Rex to stop talking and start worrying. With a trip to Foxboro looming next week this game is as close to a must win as it gets for Gang Green. Jets @ Ravens Sunday night on national tv(nbc). Which NY Jets team will show up?