2011 N.Y. Jets Team Preview | NFL Predictions
The cockiest team in professional sports, the New York Jets, seemed to leave everything they had in New England following their upset of the Patriots in last season’s AFC Divisional Playoff game.
2011 New York Jets Team Preview/Predictions
2010 Record: 11-5
ATS Record: 9-7
As a result, the Jets flew out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, one win short of the Super Bowl. There was little trash talking all week leading up to the game and even less fire in the early stages of the Jets’ second straight AFC Championship Game. One could have made the argument that New York’s AFC team was playing in its biggest game since winning the championship 42 years ago.
The Jets haven’t been back to the Super Bowl since Joe Willie Namath did his thing in 1969.
Will 2011 be the year that the streak ends?
Despite getting average play from their signal caller Mark Sanchez, the Jets have made it to back-to-back AFC title games. The Jets have one of the top offensive lines in the NFL, a line headed by center Nick Mangold and left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, along with the underrated right guard Brandon Moore.
Despite having major ups and downs, Sanchez – the former USC quarterback – is proving to be the answer for the Jets under center, and he has numerous weapons around him to win. Dustin Keller is developing into a premier tight end and will minimize the loss of wide receiver Jericho Cotchery. Santonio Holmes re-signed, which should more than offset the loss of Braylon Edwards, who decided to take his pass catching talents to San Francisco. The dark horse in all of this is Plaxico Burress.
If he can return to his elite form, which helped the New York Giants to become world champions three years ago, watch out. All in all, the main question around Jets camp concerns the ability of the newly-formed roster to maintain, and perhaps even improve, team chemistry. This is especially true on the offensive side of the ball.
While the Jets’ defense finished third best in the NFL, it could be said that the group underperformed, primarily for two reasons. The first is pass rushing, and the second reason is the secondary. On the defensive line, Calvin Pace is a decent player, but little more – he didn’t really scare opposing offensive coordinators or quarterbacks when coming off the edge to try to get to the passer.
Bryan Thomas also enjoyed a productive season in 2010, but can he continue playing at that same level this year?
In terms of the secondary’s issues, the Jets used several different players at safety, but strong safety Jim Leonard was only replaced because of injury. The other safety spot was often exposed by opposing tight ends and slot receivers. The Achilles heel for the Jets was being beaten consistently on third downs. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Brodney Pool struggled on the back line of defense for New York, but he improved as the season grew longer. Pool’s compadre in the secondary, Dwight Lowery, could be a good fit for the Jets.
If 2010 first round pick Kyle Wilson, a cornerback, can rebound from his disappointing rookie season, the Jets will vastly improve on third downs and possibly get back to the AFC title game.
On the offensive side of the pigskin, the Jets will look a tad different in 2011. The Jets have a ton of running backs – the problem lies in when to use each of them. LaDainian Tomlinson is likely to return in 2011, but not in the role he wants.
Shonn Greene will take on the role of the featured back, and Joe McKnight could be used when the other two need some time off, or if one of them gets hurt.
Even with all of these question marks, especially the one about the team’s makeup, the Jets remain a very talented and well-coached team. The real question is if the Jets can top the New England Patriots in the regular season and finally earn a first-round bye in the playoffs.
That will be hard to do.
2011 Jets Futures
Super Bowl Odds: +1200
Conference Odds: +645
AFC East Odds: +205
2011-2012 NFL Regular Season Wins: Over 9.5
2011 Jets Predictions:
Place they’ll finish in AFC East: 2nd
Place they’ll finish in AFC Conference: 6th
Over/Under Wins Prediction: OVER
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