Jets are ready to fly with Eagles

Added by Marvin Turner on December 14, 2011.

The New York Jets will face many challenges this week against the Eagles. Challenges that the Jets have not been all that great at facing against teams that are build with this kind of speed on both sides of the ball. Starting with the Jets defense, I look at this game and the first thing that comes to mind is the match-up with Revis against Jackson. There is no doubt that Jackson and the Eagles will try and use his speed against Revis. I look for Revis to have a long day trying to keep Jackson from running past him on the deep post routes. Revis will have to be at his best.

Cromartie will also be challenged as he will be asked to cover multiple receivers during this game. When looking at the Jets front 7 in this game, going against RB LeSean McCoy who is running harder than ever, getting stronger as the season comes to an end.   The Jets front 7 will have to be discipline at the point of attack, control gaps, and MUST tackle with first contact because Vick and McCoy could open this game up if the Jets are not discipline and focused.

As for the offense, to me it’s very simple. The Jets offensive line will have to win this game.  When I say win the game, I mean they will have to set the tempo as they did last week against the Chiefs. They will have to play MEAN in this game from the start, THEY MUST WIN ON FIRST AND SECOND DOWNS. The Jets don’t want to find themselves in 3^rd and long to many times in this game.  See! When I look at the style of defense the Eagles employ, if the Jets offensive line can attack the smallish, but very fast and athletic defensive ends of the Eagles, I believe they can win this game.  Again! The Jets will have to win on first and second downs..  Run the football, use an extra TE/OL and knock those small D-ends (Trent Cole, and Babin ), off the ball.

If for some reason the Eagles linebackers are playing well in the run game, this could be a big problem for the Jets, and put lots of pressure on Sanchez and the pass protection. The Eagles want to “pin their ears back”, and attack from the “wide 9 technique” that allows Coles and Babin to use there athleticism and speed. If the Eagles can stop the run, Sanchez could have a long day.

All in all, I look for the Jets to play with passion in this game. If they can duplicate the kind of performance they had against the Chiefs, the Jets might be able to steal a win on the road in a place that is hard to win at.