The Vince Lombardi Trophy is arguably the most notable prize in all of sports, and
whether a team's hoisted it recently (Giants) or haven't in some time (Jets), it's
a feeling that they'll tell you has no parallel. There are so many pitfalls that
teams must avoid during the regular season that makes winning a Super Bowl super
difficult.
There's always pressure to win in New York, but that's especially the case for the
Jets, who have reached the last two AFC championship games in two seasons under
Rex Ryan.
The training wheels must come off for third-year quarterback Mark Sanchez, who has
been under center for both playoff runs. He's been along for the ride more so than
taking the wheel, having thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. Still, when
it's mattered – the postseason – he's flourished. Sanchez tossed three TDs in Gang
Green's victory at New England and he went for 233 yards and two scores in the loss
to Pittsburgh.
Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery are out at wide receiver; in are Plaxico Burress
and Derrick Mason. The duo goes alongside Santonio Holmes, who re-signed with the
Jets, and incumbent tight end Dustin Keller. Their weaponry isn't flashy but it
ought to be enough in Brian Schottenheimer's run-heavy offense that features Shonn
Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson.
Greene, like Sanchez, has to prove himself in his third year. A bruising back at
5-foot-11, 225 pounds, he's scored just four times in two seasons, and after a pair
of 100-yard games in the '09 playoffs, he had just one in all of 2010. Still, Greene's
upside is high and he's very much a part of the Jets' game plan. Behind Pro Bowlers
Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson on the offensive line, running room shouldn't
be an issue.
Defensively, the Jets are the most hyped-up unit in some time, and they have the
talent to back it up, too.
Ryan wouldn't leave his front seven bare, so they must be confident that their top
draft picks Kenrick Ellis and Muhammad Wilkerson can do the job; the evidence of
that is allowing 11-year Jet Shaun Ellis to sign with the Patriots. While Ryan will
get to the quarterback one way or the other, whether it's the front four or with
linebackers and D-backs, the Jets haven't had a true edge rusher since John Abraham
left for Atlanta.
The linebacking group of David Harris, Bart Scott, Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas
is one of the best in football. Harris is the heart of Ryan's defense, and at just
27 years old, he's primed for another big season. The Jets did well to sign him
to a new four-year contract in the off-season.
Darrelle Revis is one of the game's top five or 10 players, never mind defensive
backs. "Revis Island" has quickly become a place where no quarterback wants to send
a football spiraling toward. The Jets lost out on the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes,
but they did re-sign Antonio Cromartie, a formidable No. 2 cornerback, as well as
safeties Jim Leonhard and Eric Smith.
With Eli Manning, Ahmad Bradshaw, Hakeem Nicks and Justin Tuck, the Giants still
have impact talent, but after the feeding frenzy of free agents, fans of Big Blue
have to be disappointed with the lack of impact moves made by their squad. Meanwhile,
NFC East rival Philadelphia added arguably the market's hottest commodity, Asomugha,
to join former Cardinal CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie as well as pieces like RB
Ronnie Brown and former Giant WR Steve Smith.
The Giants will still score points. Manning, now 30, comes off a season in which
he threw for career highs in touchdowns (31) as well as interceptions (25). Arguably
their biggest off-season move was re-signing Bradshaw, whose big-play ability is
almost unmatched in football. He rushed for 1,235 yards in his first season as a
feature back, and ranked second in gains of 20 or more yards. The thunder to his
lightning, Brandon Jacobs, had 823 yards and nine TDs in roughly half the attempts.
Nicks exploded onto the scene in 2010's first half, catching nine scoring passes
in the first eight weeks. A toe injury slowed him, but back at full strength, he
figures to be Manning's top option again. Losing Smith as well as TE Kevin Boss
(Raiders) stings, necessitating a rise in production from Mario Manningham, but
as for protecting Manning and paving the way for the Giant backs, the offensive
line is a top-tier unit.
Defensively, the Giants led the NFL in takeaways with 39 last year; though they
were still minus-3 due to Manning's misfires as well as an NFL-high 17 fumbles.
Osi Umenyiora is back in the fold after nearly being traded, and Big Blue figures
to be stout up front once again. Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul are forces on the outside,
and they'll count on a now-healthy Chris Canty at defensive tackle.
Once their calling card, the linebacking position is this defense's weakness, even
with the re-signing of veteran Mathias Kiwanuka. The secondary was one of the game's
stingiest; it still has Corey Webster on which to rely, but Terrell Thomas' torn
ACL in the preseason paired with rookie Prince Amukamara's fractured left foot leaves
the G-Men's depth chart in question.
Predictions: Jets 10-6; Giants 9-7
