Monday Night Football: 10 Bold Predictions for the Jets-Ravens Showdown

The best thing about Monday Night Football is that we get to experience a sort of long weekend every week during the NFL season. Only during football season can we say we are looking forward to Monday, and this week's Monday Night Football matchup will be a clash of two defensive titans.

Tonight, the Baltimore Ravens will take on the New York Jets in a highly-anticipated battle at the new Meadowlands Stadium. The Jets have been in the offseason limelight through HBO's Hard Knocks, and Rex Ryan seems to believe that his team has already won the Super Bowl.

The Ravens have also had a taste of the "fame monster" with Ray Lewis' hilarious Old Spice commercial, but we really want to see what these two teams can do on the field.

Here are some bold predictions for tonight's Monday night showdown.

10. Shonn Green Won't Get Very Far

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: Shonn Greene #23 of the New York Jets in action against the Washington Redskins during their preseason game on August 27, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Ima

Expect the Jets to try and run the ball early against the Ravens' defense, and Shonn Green will be given the majority of the carries.

The problem here is that Baltimore is extremely successful defending the run, and the Ravens will be trying to force the Jets to put the ball in the air by defending early against the running back.

9. Joe Flacco Breakout

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BALTIMORE - AUGUST 28: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens passes against the New York Giants at M&T Bank Stadium on August 28, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens lead the Giants 17-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The Baltimore Ravens are known for their defense, but this will be the year in which their offense shines. The Ravens have surrounded young quarterback Joe Flacco with plenty of weapons to supply his arsenal against a strong Jets defense with the acquisitions of Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

As I've said before, I think this will be Joe Flacco's year to prove that he can run with the big dogs of the NFL's elite quarterbacks.

8. Mark Sanchez Breakdown

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 02: Mark Sanchez #6 greets David Clowney #87 of the New York Jets on the sidelines during a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Je

This might not be the boldest of predictions, but I expect Mark Sanchez to get torn apart by the Ravens defense. Sanchez is inconsistent and inexperienced, and he simply does not have what it takes to lead a team to the end zone against the Ravens.

7. Ray Rice Won't Get Far Either

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BALTIMORE - AUGUST 28: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against the New York Giants at M&T Bank Stadium on August 28, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens lead the Giants 17-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The Ravens have a great running back in Ray Rice. Too bad he won't pick up much yardage against a tough Jets rush defense.

Joe Flacco will have to make use of his receivers in this game in order to move the ball because neither team will allow the other to gain yards on the ground.

6. Plenty of Defensive Touchdowns

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after he recorded a sack against the New England Patriots during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Ravens won

The New York Jets, especially, will have to depend on their defense to capitalize on turnovers in order to score points against the Ravens.

With young quarterbacks on teams, this game cannot be won by offense alone. I am expecting both teams to rely on defensive touchdowns to put points on the board.

5. The Ravens Will Test Darrelle Revis

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NEW YORK - MARCH 16: New York Jets Darrelle Revis poses for a portrait on March 16, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

With the preseason holdout of Darrelle Revis, the Jets have encountered a big question mark regarding the cornerback.

The Ravens will test the Jets secondary early in the game with their strong receiving corps, and a rusty Revis would be very bad news for New York.

We will find out in the first quarter of this football game if Revis' game has been affected with his off-field troubles, and if it has, expect the Ravens to exploit this hole in the Jets defense.

4. Higher Score Than Expected

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BALTIMORE - AUGUST 28: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against the New York Giants at M&T Bank Stadium on August 28, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens lead the Giants 17-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Even though both of these teams are outstanding on defense, I expect the score to be higher than your usual defensive battle.

This game will come down to which quarterback has the best command of the ball, and I am predicting that Joe Flacco will outplay Mark Sanchez in every category.

3. Jets Defense Isn't the Best in the NFL

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets in action against the Washington Redskins during their preseason game on August 27, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Gett

Rex Ryan has had his fun bragging about the Jets defense, but tonight's game will be the real test. Last season, the Jets were at the top of the league in total defense, and after their game against the Baltimore Ravens, I expect them to slip in NFL defensive rankings.

2. The Ravens Will Defeat the Jets

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Lucas Oli Stadium on January 16, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/G

Even though the Jets are favored to win over the Ravens, I am predicting an upset. The Jets have been over-hyped during the preseason, and Baltimore is just waiting for the chance to put them in their place.

Predicted Final Score: Ravens 27, Jets 14

1. This Won't Be the Last Time These Teams Meet This Season

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 02: Trevard Lindley #35 and Macho Harris #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles take down Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets in a preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo

Even though I have selected the Ravens to win this football game, I still think that both teams have playoff potential.

Later on in the season, the Jets will be able to rely on former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes to work some receiving, and these two teams will find themselves going head-to-head once again in the postseason.