Rested New York Jets host depleted Green Bay Packers
The New York Jets will be coming off their bye week, sitting tied atop the AFC, well rested, and ready to go against a Green Bay Packers side that is struggling to stay healthy. The two teams go head-to-head at the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey this
Sunday.
Previous meetings and recent games
Since 2001 the Jets and Packers have only met twice, with the Jets blowing the Packers out both times, outscoring Green Bay 80-27.
Despite all the injuries they've sustained so far this season the Packers have done remarkably well and sit tied for first in the NFC North with the Chicago Bears who appear to be on their way down losing three of their last four. The Pack recently put an
end to Brett Favre's win-streak against them by defeating the Minnesota Vikings 28-24 last Sunday.
Since losing their opening game of the season, the Jets have been virtually unstoppable dominating teams on both sides of the ball. The Jets weren't in action last Sunday, but most recently beat the Denver Broncos 24-20 on October 17.
How they matchup
At quarterback the Packers appear to have the edge with Aaron Rodgers having the benefit of experience over his counterpart Mark Sanchez. Despite some concussion trouble Rodgers has been in every game and has been instrumental to his team's success.
Before being picked off twice in their win over the Broncos, Sanchez had had the longest passing streak without an interception and has improved considerably over last season.
Along the ground, the Jets have a distinct advantage. A rejuvenated LaDainian Tomlinson, along with second-year running back Shonn Greene, have led the Jets with the NFL's second best running game. The Jets defence also has yet to allow an opposing rusher
to run for 100 yards in a game this season. The Packers are in the bottom half of the NFL in both run offence and defence and with several injuries to their linebackers, it will be an obvious area for the Jets to exploit.
Rodgers has managed to spread the ball around to several receivers throughout the season with six receivers with 17 catches or more (although one of them, tight end Jermichael Finley, is out for the season). Sanchez, on the other hand, has thrown eight of
his nine touchdown passes to two different targets, Braylon Edwards and Dustin Keller.
The Jets defence, which was number one in the NFL last season, haven't been as dominant when it comes to conceding yards, but they will be bolstered from the return of cornerback Darrelle Revis who claims to finally be 100 percent fit after struggling with
a nagging hamstring injury since the start of the season.
What to expect
With two weeks between games, Rex Ryan and the Jets have had virtually a lifetime to prepare, while the Packers have been scrambling to just field a full lineup with 10 players currently on injured reserve.
The Jets also have home field advantage, a whole lot of confidence, and, oh yeah, a pretty good team as well.
A third consecutive blowout could be in the cards. Jets win 33-10.
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