NFL Picks Week 4: 5 Ways Jets Will Air It Out to Their Demise against Baltimore

A little while ago, NFL.com posted an article by Dan Hanzus called "Jets Have Moved Away from 'Ground and Pound.'" In this article, he correctly reports that the New York Jets have opted to air it out on offense. 

Against Baltimore today at M&T Bank Stadium, this strategy could backfire severely. Here are five reasons that the Jets will air it out to their own demise.  

Stick to the Basic Philosophy

Rex, don't be afraid to win a Super Bowl like the Ravens and Brian Billick did in 2000. You pride yourself on having the strongest, toughest and best defense in the league. Don't become enticed by the world of offensive fireworks.

Run the ball. And then run some more. You can still be creative with your passing game. You have a young, mobile quarterback in Mark Sanchez. He can be fantastically successful in a system where he can use those talents on roll out play action schemes.

You don't have to conform to win. You can build the morale of your team my running the ball against the mighty Ravens front seven. You want a team of bullies, right? There is no better way to intimidate your opponent than by playing savage defense and dominating time of possession by running the ball.

If the Jets try to air it out against the Ravens, they will lose. 

New York Jets Offensive Line Has Been Suspect

The New York Jets offensive line has been suspect this season. Last week, against the Oakland Raiders, they gave up four sacks. They also gave up four sacks in the opener against Dallas. 

Baltimore's defense is kind of good at destroying quarterbacks. In fact, they are downright scary. 

This is a bad combination. That is, if you like to have a healthy starting quarterback. If they air it out, Mark Sanchez and the Jets will be under constant harassment and the Ravens will terrorize yet another quarterback. 

Terrell Suggs: The Quarterback Killer

Terrell Suggs is turning into one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL. He's at it again this season and is tied for fourth with four sacks. The leader, DeMarcus Ware, has only one more. 

The thing that sets Suggs apart from the other leaders is his ability to attack at an elite level from both the outside linebacker position and the defensive end position.

His partner in crime on the line, Haloti Ngata, is no slouch either. His dominance on the inside gives Suggs the ability to have one on one matchups on the outside. He likes those odds.

If the Jets decide to air it out today, Terrell Suggs will get his fill of quarterback pressures and sacks, and the Jets will lose.

Ed Reed: Phantom in the Night

Ed Reed is the guy nobody ever sees. Until, that is, he leaps in front of a pass and intercepts the ball. 

When Ed Reed retires, he will be considered to have been the greatest ball hawk in the history of the NFL. Last season, he only played in 10 games and still managed to have eight interceptions. Oh, by the way, he also won the Defensive Player of the Year.

If the Jets air it out on Sunday, Reed might add to the two interceptions that he already has this season. 

Joe Flacco Has Weapons and Knows How to Use Them

Joe Flacco has weapons and he knows how to use them. He threw for 389 yards last weekend, and he looks like he is clicking with his receivers. 

The Jets must win the time of possession battle if they have a hope to win this game. In addition to their potent passing attack, Ray Rice has been very good as well. 

If the Jets try to win by airing it out they will lose.