Keys 2 Sunday
Week 11 Previews
The Jets come into week 11 having just come off their second straight win in overtime. Sometimes it may be better to be lucky than good, but these guys are playing with fire a little too often for comfort. Fortunately for Rex Ryan and company they will be facing a Texans team that could be ripe for the picking; no luck here, just good football.
The Texan’s are ranked dead last against the pass and with just 14 sacks this season they will have a rough time trying to get to Jet’s quarterback Mark Sanchez (sacked 14 times this season). For New York pass protection will be a big key and there’s no better way to protect the quarterback than running the ball. With LaDanian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene the Jets will pound the pigskin inside against the Texan’s 15th ranked run defense.
Defensively the Jets will use their stud corners Revis Island and the Antonio Cromartie to slow down the Matt Schaub and the Texan’s passing attack. With a beast like Andre Johnson, you can’t hope to stop him, just get in the way a lot and slow him down.
Defensively the Jets will need lots of pressure on Schaub and it will be critical that their 5th ranked run defense contains running back Arian Foster. In nine games this season, the Jets defense has yet to allow more than 88 yards to any one runner.
With big play potential receivers like Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, a bruising ground game led by L.T. and Greene, and a stellar defense the Jets should have little difficulty getting out front early. Expect to see the Jets control tempo early and often and force the Texans offense into one dimensional. This game will stay interesting long into the second half, but the Jets will run out front early and keep their distance.
My Pick; Jets 28,Texans 20
If you have been following both teams this season this would seem like an easy read. The Colts are on the road following a two game slide and appear to be running into a buzz-saw. Last Sunday night Tom Brady and company completely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers in Steel Town.
With tomorrow’s tilt in Foxboro, the 7-2 Patirots will continue to ride the magical arm of Mr. Brady. Brady has been terrific this season passing for nearly 2,200 yards and throwing 17 touchdowns in nine games.
Historically the Patriots have owned the Colts outdoors in the northeast, so Sunday’s matchup will in all likelihood become a showcase of the two star quarterbacks doing battle once again. The Colts would appear to lack the horses to keep their attack balanced and with Belichick master-minding the defense look for Patriots to cause confusion and try to force the Colts into mistakes.
The Colts have not been good against the run and bringing a whole lot of pressure, although they do have a nice pair of speed rushers on the outside. What’s going to be key for New England is effective running on the early downs to keep the dogs at bay to open up things downfield for Brady and his bunch.
Manning is not going to down without swinging, so this one will be a fight to the end no doubt, but the Pats will have the home cooking, the crowd, and of course Mr. Brady.
My Pick; Patriots 31, Colts 24
After watching his performance last Monday night, the game plan for the Eagles will be very simple, put the ball in Michael Vick’s hands and let his arm and legs do the work. Last week Vick was dominant like we’ve rarely ever seen, throwing the ball and running with the greatest of ease.
Vick has the ability to open up the defense and shred them apart with a precision touch and rocket arm. The Giant’s 4th ranked pass defense (14 touchdowns allowed) is going to have their hands full not only trying to keep Vick in check, but keeping up with the speedy Eagle’s receivers DeSean Jackson (5 touchdowns) and Jeremy Maclin (7 touchdowns).
Unfortunately for the Giant’s defense, Vick and the Eagles are not one dimensional and not only will Mike Vick cause the defense to get sick, but running back LeSean McCoy (615 yards rushing) will be a problem as well.
The Giants are pretty good on the defensive side of the ball, but the Eagles just have too many weapons. This tilt will be a street-fight until the final gun, but the difference could come down to the how well the Eagle’s defense plays. Their key will be to pressure Eli Manning and with 26 sacks this season, there could be a couple of Eagles getting awfully close to him.
This will be a good ole bar-room brawl between two NFC East heavy weights, but the final score may not reflect just how close an evenly matched these two teams are. The Eagles are soaring and at home, they should continue to fly.
My Pick; Eagles 34, Giants 23
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