New York Jets: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2011-12 Season

2011 AFC championship; It's third down and six. Roethlisberger scrambles, fires a 14-yard strike to Antonio Brown and the Pittsburgh Steelers are headed to the Super Bowl.

For the New York Jets, heartbreak. Another solid season but yet again one game short of the chance to hoist the Lombardi and be crowned Super Bowl champions.

Many fans and analysts believed that it was time for offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to hit the road. But GM Mike Tannenbaum has decided to stick with him and give him and chance to re-energize the offense in an attempt to get to the Super Bowl once again.

The front office will have some difficult decisions to make regarding highly coveted free agents such as Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes and Antonio Cromartie. We expect a lot of action to go down within the next day or two, as one of the most intense free-agent signing periods ever has just begun. As for some bold predictions for Gang Green on their upcoming season, let's hit the slides.

5. Wilkerson Will Have More Sacks in His 1st Game Than Gholston Had...Ever

We all know how Rex Ryan loves his defensive players, proving it once again on draft night when the Jets selected Muhammad Wilkerson with their first-round selection.

Not too long ago, Eric Mangini used the same draft formula and made the call to select Vernon Gholston with the sixth overall pick. We all know how that worked out. When your biggest career accolade was not having a sack, it's safe to say you're a bust.

Wilkerson, the former Temple standout, is looking to have Jets fans forget the name Gholston. By playing on the a defensive front which includes Bart Scott, David Harris and Shaun Ellis, Wilkerson will put up very solid numbers in a Jets uniform.

The Jets open up their season against Dallas on a Sunday night, and I expect Wilkerson to put Tony Romo into the ground and get the first sack monkey off his back—something Gholston couldn't do during his four seasons with the team.

4. Mike Tannenbaum Uses All His Chips, Signs Asomugha

Mike Tannenbaum is a smart general manager and has proved he will dig deep into his pocket (see Darelle Revis contract).

It had been reported today that one of the best defensive backs in the league, Nnamdi Asomugha is willing to sign for less money if pursued by a contender. Many think, including myself, that signs are pointing towards the Meadowlands. It's no secret that Asomugha would love to be a part of a defense which would feature himself, and arguably the league's best cornerback in Darrelle Revis across the field.

New York is definitely a contender, proving that while making a run towards two consecutive AFC Championship games. Adding Asomugha would surely raise their stock at making it three-in-a-row.

The way to win in the NFL is stopping the big guns like Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. The Jets organization is fully aware of that, so look for them to make what is now a dream, a reality.

3. Randy Moss Joins the Team

Throughout his years in New England, Randy Moss had become public enemy No. 1 to New York. Whether he was trash-talking on the sidelines or leaving it out on the field, Moss was hated by Jets nation. However now things have changed.

New England, Minnesota and Tennessee have all given up on the former All-Pro wideout, and he is back looking for work. According to agent Joel Segal, Moss is in "freakish shape" and motivated to prove he's still got plenty of juice left in his 34-year-old tank.

If the Jets do indeed lock up Nnamdi Asomugha to a lucrative deal, it would probably mean losing Braylon Edwards and/or Santonio Holmes via free agency. That leaves a wide receiver slot free on the roster, and it would surely tempt the front office to take a gamble on the future Hall of Famer.

If he can avoid being a cancer in the locker room, Moss can be very productive on the field and help Mark Sanchez develop into a steadier quarterback.

2. Joe McKnight Surpasses LT on the Depth Chart

After struggling to find a role in the offense and a disappointing start to his rookie season, Joe McKnight was rather impressive during his lone start against Buffalo last season. McKnight rushed for 158 yards on 39 carries and averaged about a solid five yards per carry.

In 2006, McKnight was the top prospect coming out of high school and was often being labeled as the next Reggie Bush in the making. Although expectations fell rather short, McKnight has shown his playmaking ability and has shown signs of becoming a legitimate backup in the NFL.

After a quick start to the 2010 campaign, fatigue became a factor to LaDainian Tomlinson, as it seems the wheels came off down the stretch. Tomlinson sill has playmaking ability and can very well still serve as a goal-line back for this Jets offense. However, by season's end, it would not surprise me to see McKnight become more of a premiere backup to the Jets, as he finally maintains a place in their offense.

1. Make AFC Championship Game Yet Again...and Win It

In his first two seasons with the organization, Rex Ryan has lead the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship games.

His method? Defense.

Ryan understands the importance of defense in today's game and has turned this Jets D into a force to be reckoned with. If GM Mike Tannenbaum pulls the right strings and lands Asomugha in a Jets uniform, the Jets defense will instantly be tops in the league, becoming one of the most dominant defenses in recent memory.

On the offensive side, Brian Schottenheimer will stick to his ground-and-pound play-calling and will run Shonn Greene wild. Mark Sanchez is expected to continue to take major strides in his third season and will continue to grow as a locker room leader as well.

The Jets have a steady balance of talent on both sides of the football and will most certainly make a deep run towards another AFC Championship game and most importantly, a Super Bowl ring.

AFC Championship game bold prediction: Jets over Chargers, 23-20.