Which Jets Are Going to Show Up This Season

The New York Jets reminded us last week of the team 40 years ago that won our only Super Bowl against the mighty Baltimore Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III.

Everyone in preseason had assumed that the Jets would not come out strong in week 1 against the "mighty" Texans who have been due for a playoff spot for years now, yet the Jets without Brett Favre and Laverneaus Coles our offense would suffer. Little did our so-called NFL Experts know that the Jets would win against them and win going away.

Early in the game, both offenses struggled with the run. Thomas Jones was ineffective in the first three quarters of the game and the Jets had to rely on the pass to get them moving. Sure enough, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez would put on a clinic against that stout Houston defense. The Jets biggest accomplishment was converting 10/18 third downs, including 9 of those thanks to rookie Sanchez, who overall had a great first rookie start going 18/31 for 272 yards 1 TD and 1 INT. Veteran Matt Shaub had a decent game going 18/33 with 166 yards and 1 INT, but without his main weapon Andre Johnson and lack of running from Steve Slaton and Chris Brown who had 32 rushing yards combined, the Texans had virtually no chance to make this game even remotely close.

Rex Ryan was even brash enough to comment before the game that the his Jets would win the game against Houston. Much like the 1969 guarantee of Joe Namath, Rex Ryan was true to his word by beating a team that was better than them on paper. With a  punishing defense and having command of the clock, the Jets methodically destroyed the Texans 24-7. Everyone wondered if this game would help Gang Green at home against the rival Patriots this week.

The Jets offense is less than stellar this week, with the first play from scrimmage being a loss of 17 yards for the Jets. Mark Sanchez is not having the same success he had last week, and the passing game is not helping the Jets cause. The one bright spot this week in the first half is defense. Tom Brady is not ready to compete with the NFC East this year and proved that last week having to come from behind to beat (of all teams) the Bills. Without the short passing attack with Wes Welker, the Patriots looked soft, and are not able to run the football as well as the Jets today. Brady may have Randy Moss and Joey Galloway, but against that secondary of the Jets, they may not have a chance later in the game.

What the Jets need to adjust in the second half is their passing game and find a way to get Jericho Cotchery more involved in the passing game. The defense needs to rush Brady more often since he is forced to pass more due to the lack of running game from Fred Taylor and Lawrence Marroney. Brady just came back from a knee injry, make him work for what he has. On offense, the Jets should run more playaction since the running game is the most effective. Give Sanchez the confidence he radiated last week and he will deliver. Only time will tell where the Jets' season will turn.