Just two weeks ago the Jets were sitting pretty with a 9–2 record needing only a win against their rival, the New England Patriots, to put themselves in the driver’s seat for home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Two losses later, their toothless offense is going to have to find a way score enough on the road against the league’s fourth ranked defense—and easily top-ranked against the run—just to keep their wild card hopes alive.
They’ll have to do it with Wayne Hunter starting at right tackle in the place of the injured Damien Woody (knee).
Still, the ever-confident Rex Ryan seems to like his chances saying in his Thursday press conference, “No question there’s going to be some great matchups. I really want to see the Nick Mangold and Casey Hampton match up. That one is going to be a lot of fun to watch.”
The Jets biggest questions all week have been the job statuses of quarterback Mark Sanchez and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Sanchez, after a hot start, now ranks 28th out of 31 quarterbacks with a passer rating of 74.2, but seems to have Ryan’s full confidence, “He’s good. It’s just eye of the tiger. He wants it. This game can’t get here soon enough for him. He’s ready to go.
“I think he realizes, too, that this opponent is really good. You have to be smart. You have to take care of the football. He understands that. The competitor in Mark Sanchez, he’s out there and he’s ready.”
Meanwhile, Schottenheimer isn’t going to have the defensive-minded Ryan meddling with his offense, despite their troubles. “For me to go in and think I can add something and it will be the magic thing to get us to play better, no matter what it is, you’re giving me way too much credit. I’m not that guy,” said Schottenheimer.
“I’ll be there in a supportive role. Whatever is asked of me, I’ll do. If I see some things, I’ll throw it out there: ‘Did we consider this’ or ‘Did we consider that?’”
Injuries Mounting on D
Despite the ongoing struggles of the Jets offense, their defense (save for the Patriots debacle and despite the growing list of injuries) has been consistently great. Heading into Week 15, the Jets rank in the top six in both total yards and points allowed per game.
That defense will be thinned a little more this week as safety Eric Smith (concussion) is out and defensive end Trevor Pryce is questionable (hip).
Among others who will probably play but didn’t practice was safety James Ihedigbo, “I think, number one, it’s going to be hard to keep Dig [Ihedigbo] from playing against Pittsburgh,” said Ryan.
“That’s his kind of game, a physical game. I think he’s going to play for sure. Trevor, I’m not sure on right now. Again, he’s a veteran guy that’s been in the system a long time. He knows his body well. Hopefully, he’ll play, but I’m not 100 percent right now.”
As for who’ll start in place of Smith and call the defensive plays on the field, Ryan didn’t seem to be too concerned saying, “Who do we have left? We have D-Lo [Dwight Lowery], Brodney [Pool]. We’ll figure it out.”
Hopefully, the offense will figure out their problems too.
