I'm The Rabbi, video editor extraordinare of On The Sportslines, and the answer is yes, it still is. However, for the 3rd season in a row, there is a good discussion on both New York Football teams possibly going far in the playoffs.
One problem. It always seems around this time one of those two teams always ends up on a losing streak, dashing hopes of the postseason. In 2008, it was the Brett Favre led Jets who finished 1-4 after an 8-3 start to give the division to the Dolphins and left the playoffs far away.
In 2009, the Giants finished their season 3-8 to finish 8-8 and played an embarrassing bunch of defense. Embarrassing.
So, how do the Jets and Giants, both 6-2 at the halfway point in their seasons, get to the playoffs and possibly do stuff when they get there. 5 points for both teams:
GIANTS
1. Eli Manning needs to keep it simple.
Listen, Eli, you have three very capable WR's in Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, and Mario Manningham. They have combined for 15 TDs this year, and have a chance to be possession receivers that move the chains (Smith), and two deep threats that can get TD's from any point (Manningham and Nicks). A QB like Manning with a receiving core like that can't have 11 INT's to 17 TD's. There were too many times when Eli tried to take the game into his own hands (see Week 3 against the Titans). He needs to let the game come to him.
2. Keep Bradshaw at the lead.
Considering how Brandon Jacobs was whining and moaning at the beginning of the season, I am shocked at how Jacobs has accepted his change of pace role. Ahmed Bradshaw is 3rd in the league in running yards, and Jacobs has as many TD's as Bradshaw with 5. If both runners are on board, the G-Men have a version of thunder and lightning not seen since Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne.
3. Perry Fewell can't let up.
So yeah, that Bill Sheridan D looks like a mirage right now. 253 yards given up per game LEADS THE LEAGUE in Total Defense. Osi Umenyiora already has 8 sacks halfway through the year. However, even though the D is clicking on all cylinders, there are times (like the Dallas game in Week 7) where they've unnecessarily let the team back in the game. That can not happen, or D coordinator could be scrutenized quickly again.
4. Secondary concerns?
Shockingly not yet. They are right now 2nd in the NFL against the pass, and it's not all about Kenny Phillips, who lots thought would be the lynchpin of this defense. Tyrell Thomas has 3 INT's and has really taken over one of the CB spots which I didn't think he would do after last season. It's been a 180 for the secondary, but can they keep it up?
5. Division Closeness.
After the Cowboys visit on Sunday (yes, the 1-7 Cowboys, how great is that to say!), the Giants have to go through two teams who I feel match up very well against them. In a 7 week span, they will play the Eagles and Redskins twice. The Giants have had a horrible experience against the Eagles, not beating them since the Fall of 2008 (and they may be just as good with Vick this year then they've been with McNabb). The Redskins are not gonna push over either, as McNabb I feel will bounce back after that little sitting incident 9 days ago in Detroit. A win against each is essential to stay a playoff contender, if they go 3-1 in this 4 game stretch I feel they win the division and maybe conference.
Final Verdict: The NFC is getting better, not sure they can keep the pace. I've predicted 10-6 and Wild Card for the G-Men.
Jets
1. Get a WR rotation.
I feel the Jets always need to implore everyone in every spot to make all the dynamic personalities on the WR staff happy. Not necessary. But find a way to keep everyone in the game, but establish a pattern. I think Braylon right now should be the #1 target (he's been light years better since the DUI), and Keller should be involved more at the outset. I think Santonio has been pretty good, but he disappears very, very quickly. He can have a 100+ yard game with a long TD or do nothing at all. It makes Mark Sanchez look bad.
2. Get Shonn Greene to wake up.
Unless Shonn Greene is gonna be used the same exact way he was used a year ago, got to be better on the ground. Only 400 yards this year with as many rushing TD's as Mark Sanchez. Shonn Greene showed a lot of promise in the Jets postseason run, but considering just like last year, the #1 Back is probably gonna break down ahead of him, and Greene needs to wake up in the end.
3. Secondary needs a shake up.
Yeah, I know that Darelle Revis has been hurt most of the year, but come on Cromartie. They are 18th in the league against the pass, and it's not a problem of shutting down the #1 guy. Only 2 #1 guys have had a 100+ yard game this year against the JEts (Anquoin Boldin Week 1, Brandon Marshall Week 3). However, the names Nate Burleson, Percy Harvin, and Jabar Gaffney have burned the Jet secondary. Can't be that way, Revis and Cromartie need to be on point at the same time. There is no depth in the secondary past those 2.
4. When all goes wrong, don't get fancy.
You saw two examples on how to win a game when you're team can't move the ball and how to lose a game when you're team can't move the ball. The Jets tried to move the ball vs the Packers and once they didn't, they fake punted on 4th and 18! Almost worked, but the move looked dumb. Nothing seemingly went right in the Lion game, but the Jets waited patiently, and after a knockout of the Lions QB and Kicker, the Jets waited for the other team to make the mistakes. Backup kicker missed an extra point, and the backup QB could not even make his screen pass when the game was on the line. The Jets didn't give away points on Sunday and the result showed.
5. Dominate, then survive.
At Cleveland, Then home to Houston and Cincy. I never suggest going 3-0 in a span, but here are the 4 games after that: at New England, home for Miami, At Pittsburgh, and At Chicago. Oh boy. I'm saying 4-3 is a minimum for what will not just be division title contention, but PLAYOFF contention this season. I think the Jets really should win those first 3 to give themselves the luxury of not getting hurt in Conference standing if they lose 2 out of the next 4.
Prediction: 10-6. The way they're playing now they'll be lucky to get through that 4-3, so I say 3-4 and a win against Buffalo at the end, and the 6 spot in the playoffs.
That's it. Wanna go against me, respond to this blog or give me you're best Facebook hatred. I am out.
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