To get you ready for week 2, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is your New York Jets vs Baltimore Ravens preview.
2007 Records:
New York Jets 0-1 (t-2nd in AFC East)
Baltimore Ravens 0-1 (t-3rd in AFC North)
Last Meeting: October 2, 2005, Ravens beat the Jets 13-3.
When the Jets have the ball: Well, they are breaking in Kellen Clemens as the QB with Chad Pennington out. Since Clemens is making his first ever start, look for a heavy dose of Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. This will keep the Ravens from, somewhat, teeing off on Clemens. Oh, boy, will they go after him! However, Clemens arm is much stronger than Pennington's ... so expect to see the Jets to attempt some big plays down the field to Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery.
When the Ravens have the ball: Baltimore must do a better job protecting Steve McNair, who hurt his groin in the loss to the Bengals on Monday. First and foremost on the docket will be giving the ball to Willis McGahee ... who was effective in Cincinnati when they actually gave him the ball. New York's front seven isn't something to fear. The Ravens also will do all they can to value the ball ... since they turned it over six times in the Nati.
The Edge: Both teams lost in embarassing fashion last week. The Jets were spanked at home by the Patriots and have been a big part of that whole Spy Story this week. B-more imploded on Monday Night Football in front of a national audience to a hated rival. Despite the injuries, the Ravens should be able to dominate both lines of scrimmage and control the game.
Keep an eye on:
The Doctors - Both team's medical staffs have been busy of late. Jonathan Ogden, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs and Air McNair all had issues on Monday night. The Jets' most important offensive players ... Chad Pennington and Thomas Jones ... are both familiar with their doctors. Ogden and Pennington won't play in this one, but the rest will try their best to stay on the field as long as they can.
