First-place Jets begin preparing for 10-0 Titans By DENNIS WASZAK Jr., AP Sports Writer 2 hours, 26 minutes ago * Buzz Up * Print FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP)—The New York Jets had a few days off to celebrate their big win at New England and get away from football for a little while. The break’s over now. Next stop: undefeated Tennessee. “They don’t make a lot of mistakes,” coach Eric Mangini said Monday of the 10-0 Titans. “They haven’t turned the ball over much offensively and they’ve been able to generate a lot of turnovers defensively, and that always goes a long way to winning and losing.” All that leads to, well, a titanic challenge Sunday for a Jets team that has won four straight and six of seven, and sits alone atop the AFC East for the first time in seven years. “They play complementary football, and they’re talented in all three phases,” Mangini said. “They’re well-coached, they score a lot of points in the second quarter and the fourth quarter, which makes you believe that they’re very well-conditioned.” ADVERTISEMENT And the Jets (7-3) should be well rested for their big game. After beating the Patriots 34-31 in overtime last Thursday, the players had the equivalent of a mini-bye. They also had off from speaking with the media Monday. “I really like the chance to get the guys away from the building a little bit, to get them a chance to get off their feet, relax, do all those things that typically you do during a bye weekend,” Mangini said. “Over the last couple years, our byes have come later than earlier. This was a bit different for us this year. So it’s nice to have this time.” Mangini caught some of the Titans’ 24-14 comeback over Jacksonville on Sunday—“There was some competing interests there at the house”—and was looking forward to viewing the coaches’ film. He’ll probably see a confident group of Titans players, a few of whom said they feel they can’t be beaten if they continue playing as they have. “You always want your guys to have the mentality that they can’t lose,” Mangini said. “I think that’s a great spirit to have in any locker room, so I’m sure they’re really happy that they have that right now. We go into every game with the assumption that we’re going to win, as well.” After the win over the Patriots, running back Leon Washington said the Jets also have that mentality—something that has developed since their last loss at Oakland last month. “It’s what you’re looking for in a locker room,” Mangini said. “It’s much better than sitting there waiting for the other shoe to drop in any given game where you think, ‘OK, it’s going well, but what’s going to happen?”’ The Jets’ offense has been clicking lately, with Thomas Jones leading the AFC in rushing with 854 yards and Brett Favre efficiently running things. Favre, who struggled through a mistake-filled stretch a few weeks ago, has not thrown an interception in his last two games and has been sacked only four times in the last four weeks. Favre and his offense will have a tough task against the Titans’ defense, which is ranked sixth in the NFL and has given up the fewest points in the league behind defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. “They have the ability to rush the passer with a down lineman,” Mangini said. “They can bring combinations of blitzes if they want to do that. They play man coverage; they play zone coverage; they play some combination coverages, half-man, half-zone. So, it’s varied from that perspective.” The Jets’ defense, particularly the front seven, has been nearly as stout. New York ranks fourth in the league against the run, and third with 34 sacks. Tennessee might be the perfect test with the Titans ranked seventh in rushing behind rookie Chris Johnson and LenDale White. Quarterback Kerry Collins has also had plenty of time to throw, having been sacked just five times. “This time of the season, you’re really looking to be playing at a consistent level because each game becomes that much more important as you get down here through the last six games,” Mangini said. “A lot of things are decided over the course of the next six weeks, obviously, so you’re looking to play at as consistent a level as you can and work as hard as you possibly could to avoid a letdown in any situation.”
Oakland was a blessing to the new mentality.. thank the Raiders for the new Jets. Change the mentality, change the culture..... Success and nothing less.
Gotta agree, after the Jets were completely embarrassed, things started to click. It could have been the best thing that's happened to them. Although I still think they could be 9-1 easily, but oh well.
I think we can end the titans run, we are getting hot at the right moment and everything is clicking for this team. A win would solidify the fact that this is not a fluke team and that we are serious playoff contenders! I really hope they win this game cause im going to the denver game and i know the crowd will be fucking going crazy!!! LETS GET IT DONE THIS WEEK!!!
Jets need the Offense to dominate. Tennessee's strength has been their D, 13.1 points per game is rough. TJ and Leon need a huge game for the Jets to pull this one off. If not, then Favre's gotta be in gunslinger mode.
the jets chances of winning are BETTER since Tenn. WON on Sunday. An undefeated team faces more pressure to keep winning--a loss by a previously undefeated team takes the pressure off the next game.
Agreed. I fully expect our D to take care of Collins, Johnson and co. We need to control the clock and move the ball consistently...
I think that you have 2 teams that play fundamental football. Difference is that we are on a roll as as some you stated..we are hot at the right time! Titans only focus is the pressure to remain undefeated...thats when mistakes normally happen. We will dominate this game!
This is something that kinda pissed me off when I was watching all the Post Game interviews of the NE Game. Favre, Mangini and a few others kept saying "It's nice to have a few days off"..... FUCK THAT! You have a leg up on the undefeated competition. You take it! Now reading this article has only solidified that feeling. Why is Mangini giving them a few days off when they've got what could potentially be the most important game of the season coming up? You need to get ready NOW. That should've been the game plan on the flight home last Thursday. Practice what you need to a thousand times, I don't care; but this game needs to be taken seriously.
Hey, (Insert name Here). The Extra days off was due to the fact that they played a Thurs. game. Also, it is commonplace for a HC to give the players 1 extra day off after a big win. They shot their load and need to re-up. Get a grip, chillax and learn how and why it's actually done before you burn your pubes. :wink:
Sorry to be contrary but going 10-0 is quite a roll too ! And Kerry Collins has picked up his pace as defenses have made adjustments for their running game. This game is going to take 4 quarters of effort. And the CS won't have the luxury of having a brain fart in the second half. Dominate is a strong term. This might be a game that comes down to the last possession.
Man This has all the feelings of a playoff game. I seriously haven't had this much nervous excitement a week out since the Oakland playoff game in 2002. I may not get much sleep this week. Thank god it isn't a night game or I'd go nuts Sunday waiting for it. I think your right, the Jets are going to need to play a full 60 minutes on Sunday to win this game. A good defense usually beats a good offense in the NFL so it's going to take a huge effort by the O. I think like the Pats game Keller is going to need to step up again because Jones and Leon are not going to be able to chew up yards. I honestly think we are going to win but it's not going to be some 20 pt victory for the Jets. What's sad is these guys really haven't played a full 60 minutes against good teams, I think Mangini will have these guys believing last week was a must win but this week is a statement game. Now that the gorilla that is the Pats is off our back I really think the confidence will be high.
