Tennessee Titans vs. New York Jets: Full New York Game Preview
Ten is the magic number. The New York Jets, at the moment, are at seven.
After four disappointing, playoff-less seasons, the Jets are on the cusp of their first postseason appearance since 2010. Sitting pretty at 7-5, the team is in sole possession of the sixth and final wild-card spot. But in order to stay there, New York is likely going to need to win three of its next four games.
The Tennessee Titans represent the first opportunity to get win No. 8.
Armed with young playmakers and a fiery defense, the Titans have taken the first step forward in the franchise's full-on rebuild. They've got their present-and-future quarterback in Marcus Mariota. Now it's about developing him and surrounding him with players who make his life easy.
On paper, this should be a Jets victory. But in the NFL, nothing can be taken for granted. So what should be expected when the Jets and Titans square off this Sunday? Here's what to watch for.
Date: Sunday, December 13
Location: MetLife Stadium; East Rutherford, New Jersey
Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Week 13 Recap: New York Jets 23, New York Giants 20
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For three quarters, the Jets weren't the better team.
The Giants were leading by 10, in scoring position and ready to ice the game. Big Blue head coach Tom Coughlin kept his offense on the field on 4th-and-goal at the 4-yard line. A touchdown would mean a three-possession lead with under 10 minutes to play. An all-but-certain victory.
So Eli Manning dropped back to pass, looked right and fired one into double coverage.
Jets safety Rontez Miles jumped the pass and intercepted it.
Thirteen unanswered points later, and the Jets had their seventh win of the season.
Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick completed 36 of 50 passes for 390 yards with a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions. Twelve of those passes and 131 of those yards went to wideout Brandon Marshall, another eight and 101 yards went to Eric Decker. Running back Bilal Powell was a factor in the receiving game, catches eight passes for 91 yards, highlighted by a 25-yard score.
Defensively, the Jets rebounded after allowing 20 points in the second quarter, to shut out the Giants in the second half. Mike Catapano, Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams all had sacks, while the Giants rushing attack managed just 74 yards on the ground.
AFC EAST STANDINGS
New England Patriots (10-2)
New York Jets (7-5)
Buffalo Bills (6-6)
Miami Dolphins (5-7)
News and Notes
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Will the Jets pass rush make a return?
As the Jets agreed to terms with player after player during the free-agent signing period this offseason, the team's defense received quite the boost.
After all, whenever you add players like Darrelle Revis, Buster Skrine, Marcus Gilchrist, Antonio Cromartie, Erin Henderson and more, there's going to be an expected improvement.
But the one area of the defense that went a bit untouched—and has a been a bit of a weak spot in recent years—was the pass rush. With every player who put pen to paper on a new deal, few were know as a "speed rusher." Even in the draft, with outside linebacker Vic Beasley sitting there waiting, the Jets elected to take defensive end Williams.
While Williams is a player who has the makings of one who will develop into a stud, the defense is now still absent that player who excels at getting the quarterback.
The Jets defense has been far from bad this year; there's no denying that. The unit is fifth in the league in yards allowed per game, 11th in points and has forced the second-most turnovers (23). But if there is a weakness, it's in that pass-rushing department. In 12 games, the Jets have brought the quarterback down just 28 times.
Against the Giants last week, the unit got a bit back on track, sacking Manning three times. Was that just false hope against a bruised and battered offensive line? Or have the Jets finally found a way to generate a rush?
Will Ryan Fitzpatrick's hot streak continue?
Just 14 days ago, Fitzpatrick was a marked man. The Jets were in middle of a slump having dropped four of five, and Fitzpatrick was a reason for the team's struggles. He was inaccurate, making poor decisions and was coming off two games that ended with him throwing interceptions.
Many wanted third-year pro Geno Smith put back as the team's starter. Jets coach Todd Bowles instead left Fitzpatrick in, saying he believed he what it took to right the ship.
Fitzpatrick has caught fire as of late. In his last two games, the quarterback has completed 66 percent of his passes and thrown for 667 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. In both games, which resulted in Jets victories, he had quarterback ratings of 118.9 and 107.9.
In just two weeks, the Jets have gone from the outside looking in, in regards to the playoff picture, to having sole possession of the sixth and final wild-card spot. Fitzpatrick's improved play is a big reason why. And now, the quarterback who was once in jeopardy of being benched, is nearing Jets history. Fitzpatrick is on pace to throw 29 touchdowns this season, which would tie the single-season franchise record.
The question now is if the Fitzpatrick who's been around the last couple of weeks is here to stay or if the one who's been around the last 11 years will make a return. The Titans will also be the third team on the Fitzpatrick "Revenge Tour" this season. The first two stops haven't been kind to Fitzpatrick, to say the least.
Against his two former teams (Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills) earlier in the year, Fitzpatrick is 0-2 with a completion percentage of 46 percent and a quarterback rating of 55.1, and he's tossed four interceptions in those games.
On Sunday, will Fitzpatrick finally get a win against a former team?
Will the Jets keep Mariota in check?
There were legitimate concerns regarding Mariota when the quarterback entered the draft this past May. He was coming from a quarterback-friendly offense at Oregon that rarely asked him to make reads. Would he be able to learn and have success at the NFL level?
The Titans believed he would and selected him with the second overall pick.
Now, they're being rewarded.
In 10 games this season, Mariota is completing 63.4 percent of his passes and has thrown for 2,512 yards with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He's run an additional 31 times, gained 249 yards and two scores on the ground, highlighted by an 87-yard scamper a week ago. He's looking like a franchise quarterback, the first the Titans have had since Steve McNair left so many years ago.
The question now is how Mariota will fare against a top-notch defense. The Titans' schedule this year hasn't necessarily been filled with them. In fact, aside from the Carolina Panthers, there really hasn't been an elite defense the young signal-caller has seen. And against that Panthers D, Mariota struggled. Sure, he completed 66.7 percent of his passes, but he threw for just 185 yards and an interception in a 27-10 defeat.
So is Mariota ready for the Jets defense? It'll be a battle worth watching on Sunday.
Latest Injury News
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Cornerback Darrelle Revis, Concussion:
Revis has missed each of the Jets' last two games as he continues to work himself back from a nasty concussion suffered against the Houston Texans three weeks ago. On Wednesday, Revis did some light jogging for the Jets, but nothing more than that.
Bowles said he still has two more steps to pass before getting out of the concussion protocol and returning to practice. It sounds bad, but the coach was hopeful he'd clear both by the end of the week, barring any setbacks. If that happens, there's a good chance he plays. More will be known in the coming days.
Cornerback Marcus Williams, Knee Sprain
Williams, like Revis, did some running on Wednesday. He didn't play in the Jets' victory over the Giants last week, but he is optimistic about his chances of playing against the Titans. While Williams didn't practice Wednesday, he was out on the field in full pads, as were the rest of his teammates. He'll likely be a game-time decision.
Center Nick Mangold, Hand
Mangold is still recovering from a laceration to his hand suffered a couple of weeks back. He didn't practice Wednesday, but Bowles said that was more due to a rest day. He'll be good to go on Sunday.
Cornerback Antonio Cromartie, Hip
A rest day for Cromartie as he sat out Wednesday with a hip injury. He's expected to play on Sunday.
Safety Dion Bailey, Ankle
Bailey was limited on Wednesday with an ankle injury, but he should be healthy enough to play on Sunday. Now, whether he plays or not is another story. In his absence, Miles has filled in quite well both on defense and special teams. It's likely that Bailey doesn't suit up, even if he's physically able.
Other Injured Jets, but full participants in practice Wednesday
Tight end Kellen Davis (Hand), Receiver Eric Decker (knee), Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (hand), Receiver Jeremy Kerley (Migraine, Illness), Receiver Brandon Marshall (Ribs, Ankle), Safety Calvin Pryor (Neck)
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Key Matchups
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Titans TE Delanie Walker vs. Jets Safety Marcus Gilchrist
The Tennessee offense doesn't really have a No. 1 wide receiver right now. Harry Douglas is solid, Kendall Wright, too. But neither players strike fear into the heart of a defender, nor really command a double-team. There's rookie Dorial Green-Beckham, but he's not fully developed just yet.
As a result, Mariota has become fast friends with tight end and captain Delanie Walker. When the offense needs a big play, the rookie signal-caller is going to his tight end.
This season, Walker leads the Titans in receptions (67), yards (800) and touchdowns (4). He's been particularly good as of late, tallying 109, 91 and 92 yards receiving in his last three games. Stopping Walker, or at least containing him, will likely fall on the shoulders of Gilchrist. Gilchrist, who signed with the team as a free agent this offseason, has been struggling a bit as of late.
In his last two games, according to Pro Football Focus, quarterbacks have targeted Gilchrist in man-to-man coverage six times. He's allowed five completions for 59 yards and a touchdown. Last week, Giants tight end Will Tye, while not matched up on Gilchrist each play, caught three passes for 70 yards.
If the Titans offense is going to be successful Sunday, it'll likely be because Walker has himself a game. In order to keep Walker in check, Gilchrist will have to step up. Which one will win the battle?
Titans CB Perrish Cox vs. Jets WR Brandon Marshall
Perrish Cox is listed on the Titans depth chart as the team's starting cornerback. He should see an awful lot of Marshall on Sunday.
That may not be a good thing for Cox.
This season, the 28-year-old Texas native has been picked on game in, game out by opposing passers. Cox is Pro Football Focus' 74th-ranked cornerback. In 12 games this season, he's allowed a 71.4 completion percentage, 390 passing yards and six touchdowns. He's intercepted just one pass, defended two and a quarterback's rating when throwing his way is a 130.0. Last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cox allowed three touchdowns.
Marshall, meanwhile, has been playing out of his mind.
The big-bodied wideout, who last week became the first Jets receiver to have 1,000 yards in a season since Jerricho Cotchery in 2007, has pulled in 21 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns in his last eight quarters. On the season, he's caught 83 passes for 1,062 yards and 10 touchdowns.
If Cox doesn't bring his A-game Sunday, he may let up another three scores.
Matchup X-Factor
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The Jets are a better team than the Tennessee Titans. The Titans likely know that, and the Jets know that.
They're more experienced, more talented and should pull out an easy victory. But coming off an emotional win over the Giants last week, this game has all the makings of an infamous "trap game." It's going to fall on Bowles' shoulders in order to make sure the team doesn't drink too much of its own Kool-Aid.
Throughout the course of this season, Bowles has been about as mild-mannered as they come. The first-year head coach never gets too high, nor does he ever get too low. His team has taken on that approach, too. Rarely is anything said that's back-page worthy, rarely is there ever any trash talk and it's even more uncommon to hear anything that raises an eyebrow.
But still, these are humans, and none are dumb. They know the Titans are 3-9. The X-factor in this matchup is Bowles, and his ability to make sure the Jets don't look past the Titans or assume this one is a victory.
That's likely going to be a little easier said than done, too. See, many on the Jets roster haven't experienced team success much in their NFL careers. Heck, Marshall and Fitzpatrick have never been to the playoffs in any of their 21 combined years in the playoffs. The Jets, at 7-5, are in the playoff picture, and it'll likely take 10 wins to get there.
The Titans should be victory No. 8. But if the Jets sleep on Tennessee, the team could just as easily be loss No. 6.
Prediction: Jets 34, Titans 16
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The Jets were humbled during their little skid a few weeks ago. When they were dropping game after game, they realized victories in the NFL don't come as easily as they seemed to during their 4-1 start.
And because the Jets went through that earlier slide, they'll handle Tennessee on Sunday. New York is the better team, and that will be evident when the two square off.
Look for Fitzpatrick to have a good game (finally) against his former team. Look for Marshall and Decker to go off and likely each cross the 100-yard mark. Mariota will make some plays for the Titans, as he's an up-and-coming star in the league, but it won't be enough to ever really threaten the Jets' chances.
The offense plays well, the defense plays well and the special teams doesn't melt down. That'll be the storyline on Monday.
Jets 34, Titans 16
Connor Hughes is the New York Jets beat writer for the Journal Inquirer and Scout.com. All quotes, practice observations and advanced stats referenced are gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Connor can be reached on Twitter (@Connor_J_Hughes) or via email (Connor_j_hughes@yahoo.com)
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