If the Jets are going to keep playoff hopes alive this weekend they will have to beat a quality opponent in their own building. Locked in a race for the final playoff spot with the Ravens, Dolphins, Chargers and Titans the Jets have little room for a slip up. Facing the Carolina Panther tough defense won’t make that easy.
The Panthers are coming off a humbling beating last week in the Big Easy where their offense was blitzed into submission. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton seemed confused by a Saints pass rush that sacked him five times in a 31 – 13 defeat. With their own dominant front four the Jets should be able to get a fierce pass rush against the Panthers less than stellar offensive line. Keeping Newton from breaking contain and running for big yards will be the biggest concern for the Jets second ranked rushing defense.
The Jets biggest problem offensively will be finding a way to move the ball against that tough Panthers defense. Although, as was pointed out by wide out Santonio Holmes, the Panthers secondary has been suspect the Jets do not have the weapons to exploit that weaknesses. Staying patient, not turning the ball over and taking occasional shots down the field could give the Jets their best shot at the upset.
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While the Jets will have many questions to answer this offseason, at the moment they have exceeded preseason expectations and are still alive for a playoffs spot. The Jets need to keep winning and hope that they can get some needed help against their competition. Whatever happens, Jets fans will have an opportunity to chant J – E – T- S Jets, Jets, Jets a few more times this season…
