Jets Crush Favre in Text-Book Fashion

For at least one week, the Jets weren’t the focus of media hype, but relegated that role to the Vikings. The talking helmets on ESPN spent hours concerning the implications of the Randy Moss trade (or is it Favre that is Randy?), as well as on the continuing NFL Series of Quarterbacks behaving badly. Outside of a bit of trash talk from the Jets secondary concerning Moss dogging it when New York played the Patriots several weeks ago, there was a noticeable lack of controversy, as New York’s Green Gang behaved like choir boys during the week. Of course, Moss was just being Moss; he had been doggin’ it, Belichick became fed up, and hence he became a Purple People Eater mid-week.

For over a half, the Jets defense completely smothered the Viking offense. Favre indeed looked like a 41 year old QB, the Jets DL putting constant pressure on him, and his pre-game pledge to his teammates to play “lights out” against the Jets appeared to translate as lights out on a career that was perhaps a year too long. He passes were off-line, and he fumbled twice, both times leading to Jets Field goals. Randy Moss was covered like a blanket by Antonio Cromartie, (perhaps working all the harder in order to support his nine children by eight different mama’s) taking over Darrelle Revis’ role of going one-on-one with the opposing teams best wide-out.

The Jets offense controlled matters in the First Half, led by LaDainian Tomlinson, who rushed for 94 yards on 20 carries. The Jets place kicker was their Folk-hero, nailing five consecutive field goals, giving New York a 15-0 lead, which at the time seemed to be more like a 4 TD lead, given Minnesota’s offensive incompetence. The troubling aspect of the first 40 minutes of the game was the Jets inability to score inside the Red Zone. However, the Vikings defense had only allowed 3 touchdowns in their first three games, and at least some of the Jets frustration was perhaps due to the Vikings Defense, which is one of the more formidable units in the NFC. The heavy rains, often accompanied by thunder-boomers and lightening– the game had been delayed over an hour due to the intensity of the storm – also contributed to both team’s inability to mount long drives.

Suddenly, with a bit more then a quarter of football to go, the Packers Offense magically regained their mojo. Favre threw a perfect high arching pass to Moss; this time Cromartie was unable to prevent its completion, and the score became 15-7. Brad Smith countered with an 86 yard return of the following kickoff, but once again the Jets were unable to complete the deal, settling for a field goal. A rejuvenated Favre once again quickly struck pay dirt; this time with a 34 yard pass to Percy Harvin, the lead shrinking to 15-13 after Minnesota failed to pick up a 2 point conversion. The Jets finally countered with a touchdown, as Shonn Greene broke free for a 23 yard run. However, Favre was on fire; continuing to shred the Jets once impermeable D with another TD pass to Harvin, whose footwork in the end-zone was superb. The once insurmountable lead was now 22-20, with over three minutes left. The Vikings stopped New York, forcing them to punt, and Favre had one more shot. However, Brett’s curious but lamentable habit of playing brilliantly, but making last minute foolish passes resulting in interceptions, continued, as Dwight Lowery intercepted Favre, and returned it 26 yards to seal the deal.

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The Jets escaped with a win, but obviously have some work to do this coming week. Rex Ryan is certainly troubled by the apparent collapse of his Defense in the last 15 minutes of play. One can’t assume that New York’s D was tiring on the field, as the offense has a sizable lead in time of possession up to the 4 th quarter. The inability of the Jets offense to score from the Red Zone is something that needs attention, although Santonio Holmes was obviously rusty following his 4 game suspension, dropping several passes. Braylon Edwards also dropped several catchable passes, but this has nothing to do with rust; Braylon just has trouble holding on to the ball, which is problematic for a wide-out. The bottom line, however, is that the Jets are 4-1 record, are tied for the best record in the NFL, and have swept their Division rivals. Along with perhaps the Ravens and the Steelers, New York has to be considered as one of the upper echelon teams in the AFC, and is certainly a force to be reckoned with.

Jets wrap-up – Darrelle Revis obviously was compromised; he was responsible for coverage on Harvin’s first TD. His hamstring issue is apparently not resolved, and he is questionable for next week. The Jets had penalty issues; Holmes was called for a holding penalty, negating a Jerricho Cotchery screen pass that went for long yardage. Tony Richardson also was called for holding, which negated a 17 yard run by Tomlinson. Calvin Pace was called for a facemask penalty. Mark Sanchez has not as yet thrown an interception this season. The Jets are now +10 in turnover ratio.

By: Paul J. Nebenfuhr
ProFootball-fans.com New York Jets Correspondent