2011 NFL Predictions: Why the New York Jets Will Run Away with the Division

The past two seasons, the New York Jets have come close to getting to the Super Bowl. But they have stalled for the past two years in the AFC Championship Game.  Maybe it's due to still-new QB Mark Sanchez; maybe it's because of still-new head coach Rex Ryan. 

Yes, the New York Jets have four playoff wins, all from the road, but when they reach the AFC Championship, they fall flat and run out of steam. It could be because they have a long road to the AFC Championship.

They need to win the division to get the rest they need after a long season. It's important they get home-field advantage in order to get past the AFC Championship and into the playoffs, somewhere they haven't been in over 40 years.

Ever since Rex Ryan was made head coach of the New York Jets two years ago, he has promised nothing less then a Super Bowl for the organization and its fans. The team and Rex are determined to make it happen this year. This is the Jets' time to shine, and the way to make it possible is to win the division and beat the New England Patriots.

The Jets will have a lot of wins this season.

Here's why they will accomplish it.

Third-Year QB Mark Sanchez

Mark Sanchez has been inconsistent in his first two seasons with the New York Jets, but no one can deny that he has been a clutch performer in the playoffs, when it counts.

Mark is in his third year now, so he is more comfortable and familiar with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's playbook. 

Look for Mark to be more accurate and more effective.  He now has the freedom to call audibles on the line and the head coach and the offensive coordinator will let Mark air it out this season.

The "Sanchize" will lead the New York Jets over the hump this year and will play with the intensity he has played with in the playoffs, throughout the entire season.

RB Shonn Greene

Last year was supposed to be Shonn Greene's time, after the Jets release Thomas Jones.  But signing LaDainian Tomlinson stopped that from happening, as LT outshined Greene in the preseason to beat him for the starting spot.

This season is different. Greene is the starter. Look for him to have a big year. Greene is a hard runner and will be running over opposing defenses behind a great Jets' O-line. Rex Ryan has said that he has improved his catching skills (a problem he had last year) so he will be adding a threat to the receiving corps.

If Greene can stay healthy, he will be productive and open up the pass game for Mark.

"Tone Time"

Santonio Holmes was the New York Jets' focus this offseason and signed him to a big contract.  Everyone is happy, the Jets and Holmes.

Mark's favorite target, Holmes will be with the organization for the next few years, terrorizing opposing secondaries.

Holmes, now the primary receiver, is in his second year as a Jet, and has built rapport with Mark Sanchez; he is also more comfortable and familiar with Schottenheimer's playbook.

WR Holmes is a big-play receiver and makes clutch plays when it counts. Last season he helped the Jets get four wins on big plays he made in those games in the final few minutes. Look for him to have a lot more this season.

He posted good numbers and he only played 12 games last year. This year he will have a full season.

Darrelle Revis and the Jets Defense

"Revis Island."  Enough said.

Revis will have a huge year, as always. He played well last season even with contract disputes lingering and even with hamstring problems. This season he has managed to stay healthy and has played in the preseason. He will have another year of leaving big-time receivers stranded in "Revis island."

The past two years, the Jets have been ranked No.1 in defense and No. 3 in defense, respectively. It will be no different this year. The Jets defense will shut down opposing offenses.

The Jets organization have re-signed Cromartie and he has shown improvement. He has shown a bit more toughness and consistency on the line, which was a problem in the past but doesn't look to be a problem anymore.

The Jets may have lost some key players on defense, but the majority have come back; Jim Leonhard is back at safety after suffering a season ending leg injury, last year.  This defense is something to fear and will be a headache for offenses and their offensive coordinators.

Continuity

In a league where continuity is almost rare, especially after the lockout, the Jets have managed to keep the majority of their roster and personnel intact. 

Rex Ryan is back for his third year and already making Super Bowl guarantees. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is back and the offense is more familiar with his playbook.  Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is back, as well as special teams coach Westhoff.

With an organization familiar with the system and culture, the Jets will be as effective as ever and more dangerous. They're hungry. It's just not enough to get to the AFC Championship, after being so close to the Super Bowl two years in a row, this organization wants it all this year.

The Patriots Aren't Invincible

Yes, the Patriots have been a super team this past decade. 

The Patriots had a monster season last year at 14-2, with Brady having another great season. Yes, the past few years the Jets and Pats split games throughout the season. But the past few years, the Jets have outlasted the Pats in the playoffs. 

The Pats have been a superior team for too long; it's time to step aside for the new team to beat.  The Jets have had the Pats number in the playoffs. Look at last year's playoffs: Who won that game again?

The Jets are very familiar with how the Pats play and that familiarity will help them edge the Pats this season and take the division.