Jets-Colts... My Two Cents

Since my co-horts have all blogged about the Jets... I figured... I should too... I just want to put my thoughts out there so either I will look like a prophet or an idiot when all is said and done... I'm guessing I will be somewhere in the middle. Listening to talk radio, a lot of fans are comparing the Jets run with the 2007-2008 Giants run that won them the Super Bowl. There are some similarities. There was a big hub-bub about a team going for a perfect season. Should the game be played straight or should starters be rested? In 2008 it was the Patriots who were going for perfection. They were putting pedal to the medal. The question was would the Giants play their starters since their playoff fate was already sealed... They couldn't move up or down. The Giants DID play all their starters and lost a very close game but it seemed to give the Giants confidence that they could play with the elite... We all know what happened afterwards.

The Jets also ran up against a team going for a perfect season. The Colts, unlike the Patriots did not embrace their opportunity. They sat Peyton Manning and many of the other starters midway through the third quarter and brought in Lolita Lopez, Bob Taute and myself to finish the game. Matt still couldn't crack the lineup. The Jets understandably came back and won the game. They have been trying to justify the win ever since. Well the Jets have their chance now to prove that they can beat the Colts.

I'm not sure that they can. The Jets defense has been playing well... Darrelle Revis has been all world but this Colts team poses a huge challenge. Obviously problem #1 is Peyton Manning. This man can cut up a defense at will. He has big time targets to throw to, a good running game and the Jets will have to get pressure on him. But that seems to be when Manning is at his best. There's all kinds of craziness going on around him but he stays right in the pocket and finds his receiver. Manning is quick in his decision making and its usually the right decision. But I still think the Jets need to get as much pressure on Manning so the secondary namely Revis can do their magic... Don't forget a revitalized Kerry Rhodes.

That being said, I think Manning will be eager to shut up the chatty Jets (mostly their coach) and have a big game. I say Colts will win 31-20. Am I expecting the Colts to win? Yes. Will I be shocked if the Jets won? No. If the Jets win... I think they win a shootout... One of those "last team to score wins" type of games. I don't think the Jets will stop Manning, so they will just have to outscore him. But I won't hedge my bet... I say:

COLTS 31
JETS 20

The magic carpet ride ends here... But it was fun while it lasted.