with this Jets/Saint's game? Why aren't the Saints favored by more than a TD? I'm not buying into the "letdown" theory after the Saint's big win against the Rams last week. Perhaps, if they were traveling, but NOT in the Dome at home!!!!!!!
I believe the Jets are getting a little more respect than they should. It's true that they've been perfect on the road this year, but take a look at the level of competition they've played. In 1st game of the season, NY traveled to New England and walked away with an unimpressive "W"(10-3). Their 2nd game on the road was against the pretty pitiful Buffalo Bills. In that game, Buffalo managed to score 36 pts. against NY and barely winning the game(42-36). Their last matchup on the road was against the Carolina Panthers, where they once again, squeaked by 13-12. It's a fact that they are perfect on the road, but once you break it down game by game, it's really not that impressing.
The Jets come to New Orleans with the absolute WORST run defense in the entire league. They are allowing opposing teams to average nearly 160 yds. on the ground. I think this is an extremely significant stat, due to the Saint's most powerful offensive weapon in Ricky Williams. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ricky get close to #30 touches in this game. He leads the NFC in rushing, accumulating 557 yds. and averaging 22 carries per contest. New York has allowed a 100-yard rusher three times this season and let a team amass over 200 yards in a game twice in seven games.
However, the NY Jets have the leading ground gainer in the NFL in Curtis Martin. Martin will have a pretty tough time going up against the sixth best rushing defense in the league. A lot of Martin's success can be attributed to the Jet's powerful offensive line, who will actually be missing a key ingredient, Randy Thomas. Thomas sprained his ankle in last week's game, and is doubtful to suit up against New Orleans. In his place, the Jets will be starting JP Machado, whose 1st NFL start comes tomorrow.
Testaverde started the season off with some very impressive stats. However, in his last two starts, he has thrown FOUR interceptions! Vinny unfortunately led the league last year in interceptions with 25. He'll also be throwing against one of the better corners in the league, Sammy Knight. So far this year, Knight has intercepted the ball FIVE times! Quarterback Aaron Brooks played perhaps his best game of the season last Sunday against the Rams, completing 20 of 31 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns. He did not throw an interception.
Brooks established career-highs in completion percentage (64.5) and passer rating (122.2) and matched his career-best for touchdown passes.
Although the offense played better, it's still not playing well enough, Haslett said.
"We didn't score enough touchdowns in the red zone and kicked five field goals," Haslett said. "That's one area we need to get better in on offense. We scored 25 points in the third quarter and we left points on the field. A lot of that was field goals. Imagine if we can do something in the red zone and make some of those touchdowns."
Pushing the ball across the goal line, rather than settling for more John Carney field goals, will be the Saints' main focus against the Jets this Sunday.
Although the offense played better, it's still not playing well enough, Haslett said.
"We didn't score enough touchdowns in the red zone and kicked five field goals," Haslett said. "That's one area we need to get better in on offense. We scored 25 points in the third quarter and we left points on the field. A lot of that was field goals. Imagine if we can do something in the red zone and make some of those touchdowns."
Pushing the ball across the goal line, rather than settling for more John Carney field goals, will be the Saints' main focus against the Jets this Sunday. New Orleans has won the last two meetings while posting a shutout each time.
The Saints may finally be hitting their stride offensively and that could mean bad news for the New York Jets this Sunday night. If this is some sort of trap, then I guess I'll be biting b/c I really feel they'll have their way with the Jets.
I believe the Jets are getting a little more respect than they should. It's true that they've been perfect on the road this year, but take a look at the level of competition they've played. In 1st game of the season, NY traveled to New England and walked away with an unimpressive "W"(10-3). Their 2nd game on the road was against the pretty pitiful Buffalo Bills. In that game, Buffalo managed to score 36 pts. against NY and barely winning the game(42-36). Their last matchup on the road was against the Carolina Panthers, where they once again, squeaked by 13-12. It's a fact that they are perfect on the road, but once you break it down game by game, it's really not that impressing.
The Jets come to New Orleans with the absolute WORST run defense in the entire league. They are allowing opposing teams to average nearly 160 yds. on the ground. I think this is an extremely significant stat, due to the Saint's most powerful offensive weapon in Ricky Williams. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ricky get close to #30 touches in this game. He leads the NFC in rushing, accumulating 557 yds. and averaging 22 carries per contest. New York has allowed a 100-yard rusher three times this season and let a team amass over 200 yards in a game twice in seven games.
However, the NY Jets have the leading ground gainer in the NFL in Curtis Martin. Martin will have a pretty tough time going up against the sixth best rushing defense in the league. A lot of Martin's success can be attributed to the Jet's powerful offensive line, who will actually be missing a key ingredient, Randy Thomas. Thomas sprained his ankle in last week's game, and is doubtful to suit up against New Orleans. In his place, the Jets will be starting JP Machado, whose 1st NFL start comes tomorrow.
Testaverde started the season off with some very impressive stats. However, in his last two starts, he has thrown FOUR interceptions! Vinny unfortunately led the league last year in interceptions with 25. He'll also be throwing against one of the better corners in the league, Sammy Knight. So far this year, Knight has intercepted the ball FIVE times! Quarterback Aaron Brooks played perhaps his best game of the season last Sunday against the Rams, completing 20 of 31 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns. He did not throw an interception.
Brooks established career-highs in completion percentage (64.5) and passer rating (122.2) and matched his career-best for touchdown passes.
Although the offense played better, it's still not playing well enough, Haslett said.
"We didn't score enough touchdowns in the red zone and kicked five field goals," Haslett said. "That's one area we need to get better in on offense. We scored 25 points in the third quarter and we left points on the field. A lot of that was field goals. Imagine if we can do something in the red zone and make some of those touchdowns."
Pushing the ball across the goal line, rather than settling for more John Carney field goals, will be the Saints' main focus against the Jets this Sunday.
Although the offense played better, it's still not playing well enough, Haslett said.
"We didn't score enough touchdowns in the red zone and kicked five field goals," Haslett said. "That's one area we need to get better in on offense. We scored 25 points in the third quarter and we left points on the field. A lot of that was field goals. Imagine if we can do something in the red zone and make some of those touchdowns."
Pushing the ball across the goal line, rather than settling for more John Carney field goals, will be the Saints' main focus against the Jets this Sunday. New Orleans has won the last two meetings while posting a shutout each time.
The Saints may finally be hitting their stride offensively and that could mean bad news for the New York Jets this Sunday night. If this is some sort of trap, then I guess I'll be biting b/c I really feel they'll have their way with the Jets.
