Six Questions Answered About the New York Jets

1. How are you liking your new gunslinger under center? After seeing  how well
Chad Pennington has done with the Dolphins, who would you rather have,  him or
Bret Favre?

I am liking him a lot more the past few weeks. He has been protecting the ball, while providing his usual big plays and leadership. I am happy for Pennington and glad to see him doing so well, but I wouldn't go back on the trade. We are 7-3, in first place, and have beaten Miami already in their building.

2. The Jets seem to have had more success running the ball this year. How much  
of that improvement do you think is attributable to an Alan Faneca-led upgrade
to the offensive line, and how much is due to the presence of Favre, Peter  
King's BFF?

Faneca has been pretty good this year but is nothing too special. Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson have taken been big steps forward, while Brandon Moore and Damien Woody are both quietly having very good years.

Thomas Jones has also looked a step quicker to the hole and is showing more burst around the goal line. I am sure having Favre behind center helps loosens defenses up, but most of the credit should go to the entire offensive line and Jones.

3. Cotchery or Coles: who should the Titans fear the most?

Cotchery has more catches and yards, although less touchdowns than Coles. They are kind of a 1A/1B option. If forced to pick, I'd probably say that Cotchery is more dangerous. He has hurt the Titans in the past. I think he had over 150 yards receiving against them last year and a touchdown.

4. Give us the name(s) of one or two players to watch who we may not have  heard of (special teams, role players etc...).

The Jets' coverage units on special teams are excellent and they are led by Wallace Wright. I can promise you the guy will make a few open field tackles on Sunday. On defense, outside linebacker Bryan Thomas and defensive end Shaun Ellis are both having big years. Ellis has seven sacks, which is a huge number for a 3-4 DE. Thomas has 4.5 sacks and a numerous tackles for losses.

5. The Jets are ranked 28th in pass defense, despite being third in the league  
in sacks and having two very good DBs, Darrelle Revis and Kerry Rhodes. What
gives?

The Jets have had some issues opposite Revis at corner. Rookie Dwight Lowery had a strong start to the season but has struggled recently, as teams are starting to pick on him.

They also were having problems at nickelback, with Drew Coleman routinely getting beat. Eric Smith began the year as the starting safety opposite Rhodes and wasn't playing well at all.

He has been out recently with an injury and his replacement Abram Elam has looked good and created a few big plays. I think their secondary will improve with Elam playing full-time and the addition of Ty Law.

Expect to see Law eventually become the starter opposite Revis, he looked better than expected on Thursday night against New England.

6. What are the matchups you want to watch, and what is your prediction for the  
game?

I am interested to see Nick Mangold vs Albert Haynesworth, as well as the other side, with Kevin Mawae vs. Kris Jenkins. You have two great linemen going against two massive defensive tackles.

I am going to predict a Jets victory, 17-14. I think they are playing their best football in years right now, and that the Titans are due for a loss.