Both the New York Jets and Giants (both 8-7) head into Sunday’s contests with a clear agenda: win or go home.
For the Giants it’s pretty simple. With both NFC wild cards already clinched, a win over the Cowboys (8-7) that they beat 37–34 earlier in December, gives them the division title and the fourth seed in the upcoming playoffs. “We’ve known the circumstances these last two weeks, that we have to win these games. Obviously Dallas is coming in, we’re both playing for the same thing, for the same prize, so we know we’re going to get their best effort,” said Giants quarterback Eli Manning, according the team’s website.
The Jets’ situation is a little more murky. Rex Ryan’s team is competing with the Bengals, Titans, and Raiders for the final wild card spot. The 9-6 Bengals have a one-game lead though over the other three, so if they win, they’re in.
Should they lose, they open up a number of possibilities for the final spot. But none of them involves the Jets if they don’t win at Miami first.
To do that, they will need a better performance on offense than they’ve had lately, specifically from their much-maligned quarterback Mark Sanchez.
The third-year pro had a very forgettable game last week against the Giants Saturday in the 29–14 loss—committing three turnovers while averaging just 4.4 yards on each of his 59 pass attempts. “We’re just focused on the things we can control and that’s trying to play well against Miami and coming up with a win, so that’s first and foremost on our list of goals,” said Sanchez on the team’s website.
To accomplish that goal the Jets will need to come out with a lot more passion than they’ve played with in losses to the Eagles and Giants the past two weeks—and a turnover-free game from Sanchez.
