By Rikki GreenbergÂ
Well I know who I am voting for this week.
The sexy Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini for Coach of the Week of course! Although the brooding, beady eyes of 49ers interim coach Mike Singletary were a close contender, it was the luscious protégé of Belechick that captured my heart and vote. With the Jets (7-3) coming off a rocking win against their division rival/arch nemesis the New England Patriots (6-4) and climbing back to the top of the AFC East, the leader of the Gang Green machine receiving Coach of the Week props isn’t the only bright spot coming out of the Meadowlands these days.
However, the Jets can’t soar too long because this Sunday’s opponent is none other than the undefeated Tennessee Titans (10-0). Can the Green and White end the chances for a team’s perfect season like their stadium-mate Giants did to the Jets’ greatest rival in Super Bowl XLII?Â
With the sexiness of Coach Mangini, the newly crowned sexiness of Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week nominee tight end Dustin Keller, and the fine-wine sexiness of GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Week veteran linebacker Eric Barton, the slightly unsexy Titans don’t stand a chance.
Jets offense vs. Titans defense
Old Man River (26-of-33 for 258 yards against the Patriots) and his arsenal of big-play talent are going to have to step it up against the Titan’s sixth ranked defense (first in scoring defense.) The Jets offense should look out for Titans defensive end Dave Bell, who’ll be seeking for a sack for the fourth consecutive time, 7-year defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, former Memphis defensive end Tony Brown and veteran defensive end Jevon Kearse (2.5 sacks, 1 FF). If the Jets O-Line can perform like they did during the first half of the Patriots game last week and the Rams in Week 9, the Big Cheese shouldn’t see too much time on the ground during the course of this game.Â
Key Match Ups:
Titans Cornerback Cortland Finnegan vs. Green Machine wide receiver Chansi Stuckey
Jets quarterback Brett Favre vs. Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth
Titans cornerback Chris Carr vs. Gang Green wide receiver L.C. (probable with thigh injury) or wide receiver Brad Smith (probable with shoulder injury) and they should watch out for those Wildcat plays (rrrraaahhhrrrr) with Smith
Titans offense vs. Jets defense
The Titans offense shares the same seasoned offensive leader as the Jets. Instead of a salt and pepper Favre in the driver’s seat, it’s a charged up Kerry Collins. The 14-year veteran continues to put up impressive 2008 season numbers with 271 attempts, 160 completions, 1,755 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. Collins’ 82.0 passer rating doesn’t hurt his fantasy status either. Rookie cornerback Dwight Lowery should be putting in overtime coverage with red hot Titans wide receiver Justin Gage. The sixth-year receiver out of Missouri caught four passes for 147 yards against the Jaguars, making the Week 11 match up Gage’s best game yet.Â
The Titans have proven that they can win with either the passing game or the running attack, so it is important for the Jets to shut down at least one. Since the Green and White have a giant defender (a.k.a nose tackle Kris Jenkins) to hopefully clog up running lanes, the safest bet is for Mangenius to focus his game plan there. There’s a reason, well two reasons, why the Titans are ranked 7th in rushing yards per game: 3rd year running back LenDale White and rookie running back Chris Johnson. White has 11 rushing touchdowns this season already.
Key Match Ups:
Titans quarterback Kerry Collins vs. Mangini’s merry band of defenders led by end Shaun Ellis
Titans wide receiver Justin Gage vs. Jets rookie cornerback Dwight Lowery
Titans offensive line protecting vs. the vicious Green and White d line unit
