Why the New York Jets Season Is on the Line This Sunday

Even using the most positive mindset, the New York Jets are, well...in trouble. After escaping with a Week 1 victory over Dallas and then blowing out the lowly Jaguars, the Jets have fallen and they have fallen hard.

First, the Jets gave up 234 rushing yards to the Raiders, dropping their run defense to 31st overall in the league heading into yesterday's game against Baltimore. In that game, the offense played pretty well,  Mark Sanchez was slinging the ball around and although he made his fair share of mistakes, it was the defense who was unable to hold the lead and cost them the game.

Last night, the Jets had an opportunity to prove that the Raiders game was an anomaly and get out of Baltimore with a huge win. The defense did its part, basically eliminating the Ravens offense after the first quarter, but if you didn't watch the game and just saw the score, you wouldn't know that.

The Ravens scored 34 points last night, except 21 of them came on returns for touchdowns, and the only offensive touchdown came after another Jets turnover.

The Jets offense...there are almost no words to describe it. From a team where there wasn't much expected from, maybe these kinds of offensive struggles are more acceptable. But from a team that fully expects to be in the postseason, this is just simply embarrassing.

As a Jets fan, my initial instinct is to defend them, to remain optimistic. This is, after all, a team that has been within one game of the Super Bowl the last two seasons. It angered me during the offseason when I would read negative articles or comments about the Jets. "Haters", I would say, they still had a top notch defense and running game, and Mark Sanchez has won four road playoff games his first two seasons. 

But after last night...It's getting harder and harder to remain optimistic. Sure, the Jets were playing without All-Pro center Nick Mangold, which altered their game plan greatly. Their offensive line goes from being one of the league's best to being average at best without Mangold in the lineup.

But still, that was just unacceptable. Some of the blame goes on Sanchez. There are times, last night included, where he just does not look like he is capable of being a starting quarterback in the NFL. He looks too timid, lacks confidence and misses easy throws.

But to put the blame on his shoulders entirely is inaccurate. Ed Reed got to him in two seconds to cause the first fumble, he was getting hit on almost every play and had to make quick reads and throws because if he didn't he would get sacked or risk fumbling it again. 

Now they sit at 2-2, in third place in the division and reeling. This would be the perfect week to play the Dolphins at home, but instead they get the treat of going to Foxboro to play New England. After losing to Oakland, the Jets needed to win one of the two games against Baltimore or the Pats. That doesn't change.

But even Rex Ryan cannot be confident heading into this game. The Jets simply have to play better; if they don't, New England will beat them 45-3 again.  If they don't win this game, it could be all over before it began for the Jets. At 2-3, two games back in the division, not only would they face an uphill climb in the standings, but their confidence would be shot, and the media would jump all over them.

For some teams, they can get away with 2-3, after all, none of these three games were easy. But for a team with Super Bowl bravado from New York with Rex Ryan at head coach, it is not gonna fly. 

They have responded from diversity before; no one expected them to beat San Diego or New England in the playoffs the last two seasons. At times, the Jets seem to play best with their backs against the wall. They still are capable of winning this game. But after seeing what we saw this Sunday, the changes would have to be so substantial that it is hard to imagine.

I'm not sure what team I saw on the field yesterday, but it's not the Jets I watched last year. And its not a team that is Super Bowl ready. Now is the time Jets, whatever you have, bring it out in New England. If you don't, it might be too late.