The battle of unbeatens will unfold tomorrow afternoon in New Orleans, as the New York Jets (3-0) will take on the New Orleans Saints (3-0). Additionally, this will also be a matchup between arguably the best offense in the NFL and one of the best defensive units. The Jets have held opposing QBs to a 50.2 passer rating (2nd in the NFL) and a 47.9 completion percentage, best in the NFL. New Orleans QB Drew Brees leads the NFL with 118.1 passer rating and is second in the NFL in completion percentage (69.1). The Jets's defense that ranks 3rd in the NFL (256.0 yards/game) and second in points allowed (11.0 points/game) will face the Saints' offense that leads the NFL in total yards (438.0 yards/game) and scoring (40.0 points/game).
The key to winning this game will be obviously stopping the high powered New Orleans' passing attack that averages 267.3 yards/game. The Saints will be playing without their starting OLT Jermon Bushrod, which should provide the Jets with more opportunities to rattle Drew Brees. OT Zach Strief, who has just 3 NFL starts, is expected to fill Bushrod's spot. So, look for the Jets to load up with blitzes on the left side of the Saint's offense.
The Jets running attack that has struggled lately and is ranked 11th in the league (130 yards/game) will have to step up in order to keep Brees and Co. off the field. This might be problematic, however, as the Saints are ranked 5th against the run (only 67 rushing yards/game allowed).
The absence of CB Lito Sheppard and CB Donald Strickland will have a greater impact than last week, as the Saints have four players who have caught 10+ passes this season. CB Darrelle Revis will be covering another top receiver, Marques Colston, who has 15 receptions for 195 yards, 3 TDs.
The Saints rushing attack that is ranked 2nd in the NFL (170.7 yards/carry) will be missing RB Mike Bell who leads the team with 229 rushing yards (5.1 yards/carry). He's out with a knee injury and will be replaced by RB Pierre Thomas.
Current streaks and upcoming milestones:
LS James Dearth will play his 132nd consecutive game
DE Marques Douglas will have his 82nd career start, 110th straight game
OG Alan Faneca will have his 173rd career start, 116th consecutive start, 178th career game
DE Shaun Ellis will play his 143rd career game. He's second all-time among DE on the Jets (1st-Marty Lyons, 147). This will also be Ellis' 129th career start. He needs 2.5 sacks to tie Gerry Philbin for 3rd all-time Jets at 64.5.
LB Larry Izzo will play his 192nd career game.
NT Kris Jenkins needs 1 sack to reach 25 for the career. This will be his 97th career start.
RB Thomas Jones needs 4 rushing yards to reach 8,000 rushing yards and is looking to become the 40th running back to reach 8,000 in NFL history.
Fast facts:
Jets: Club aims to start season 4-0 for 1st time since ’04 and seeks 2nd consecutive win at NO. QB Mark Sanchez (1st round, No. 5) can become 1st rookie QB to start and win team’s 1st 4 games of season in Super Bowl era. Recorded 1st career rush TD last week. Aims for 4th consecutive game w/TD pass. For career, RB Thomas Jones averages 102.6 rush yards per game when he has 20+ att. Has 4 rush TDs in past 3 against NFC. Teams are 31-14 (.689) when he records 20+ att. WR Jerricho Cotchery is averaging 95 receiving yards per game (285 total) in ’09 and posted season-high 108 receiving yards last week. TE Dustin Keller averages 15.6 yards per catch in ’09. Defense ranks 2nd in NFL allowing 11 points per game (Denver, 5.3). LB David Harris registered 1st career INT last week. Leads team in tackles (21) and sacks (2) in ’09. S Eric Smith posted 1st INT of ’09 last week. DT Kris Jenkins has 19 career sacks vs. NFC. Since ’01, Jets lead NFL with 11 KR-TDs.
Saints: Lead NFL with 120 points, most by team in 1st 3 games since 1968 (Dallas, 132). QB Drew Brees leads NFL with 118.1 rating and 9 pass TDs. Since joining NO in 2006, leads NFL with 14,751 passing yards, 97 TDs and 25 300-yard games. In past 23, Brees has 15 300-yard games (65.2 pct.). RB/PR Reggie Bush has 25 career TDs (13 rush, 8 rec, 4 PR) and is only player in team history to score via rush, rec. and PR. RB Pierre Thomas rushed for 126 yards and 2 TDs last week. Has 11 TDs (8 rush, 3 rec.) in past 8. RB Lynell Hamilton scored 1st career TD last week. WR Marques Colston has 7 TDs in past 6. TE Jeremy Shockey has 435 receptions since 2002, 3rd most in NFL among TEs. WR Devery Henderson averages 21.4 yards per catch in career. Had 30-yard TD in last game vs. NYJ. LB Jonathan Vilma played 4 years with NYJ and was selected to Pro Bowl and named Defensive Rookie of Year. S Darren Sharper leads active players with 57 INTs. DE Will Smith had sack in last meeting. Had sack and 1st career INT last week.
New York Jets Injury Report:
Out: CB Lito Sheppard (quadricep), CB Donald Strickland (ankle)
Probable: LB Larry Izzo (hamstring), DT Kris Jenkins (groin), S Jim Leonhard (knee), DT Sione Pouha (ankle), CB Darrelle Revis (hamstring), S Kerry Rhodes (knee), G Matt Slauson (ankle), T Damien Woody (shoulder), WR Wallace Wright (quadricep).
New Orleans Saints Injury Report:
Out: RB Mike Bell (knee), T Jermon Bushrod (knee, ankle), DT Kendrick Clancy (knee), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot)
Questionable: CB Malcolm Jenkins (ankle)
Probable: WR Rod Harper (foot), LS Jason Kyle (knee, ankle), DE Bobby McCray (back), WR Lance Moore (hamstring)
The game will be broadcast by CBS (see if you can catch it on your local station). The kickoff is at 4:05PM EST.