The New York Jets surprised most NFL observers by going 10-6 and earning an AFC wild-card berth in their first season under coach Eric Mangini in 2006. But they followed that up with a dismal 4-12 performance last season, which put them right back at square one in terms of football betting.
They lost six games in a row through the middle of last season, and wound up with seven defeats of a touchdown or less, thanks to an inefficient offensive attack and a porous run defense. New York ranked a paltry 29th in total offense last season at 295 YPG and 19th in rushing at 106 YPG, 18th in total defense at 332 YPG and a weak 29th vs. the run at 135 YPG. The Jets also ranked 22nd in total yardage at -37 per game and 26th in average time-of-possession at -1:48.
QBs Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens combined to average just 188 passing yards per game and posted a 15/19 TD/INT ratio, and while RB Thomas Jones ran for over 1,100 yards, he averaged just 3.6 YPC and scored one – repeat, one – rushing touchdown. WR Jerricho Cotchery caught 82 balls for over 1,100 receiving yards, but scored just twice all season long. And NY only hit the 20-point mark on offense five times all last season, which helped them go just 6-9-1 vs. the NFL betting lines, and 0-3-1 ATS as favorites.
The Jets initially expressed limited interest in Green Bay QB Brett Favre during that whole debacle over the offseason, then nabbed him in a trade just before their first exhibition game. In #4, New York gets a 38-year-old pivot with a ton of experience and still with a cannon for an arm, even if his decision-making is shaky at times. Unfortunately for him, Favre is not stepping into a situation that offers certain success.
The Jets were one of the bigger buyers on the offseason talent market, adding G Alan Faneca and T Damien Woody to the offensive line, and NT Kris Jenkins and LB Calvin Pace on defense. And New York grabbed DT Vernon Gholston with the 6th overall pick in the draft and Purdue TE Dustin Keller with the 30th pick. Favre can still throw the long ball, and NY was in desperate need of someone who could stretch defenses. Gholston could help New York improve upon its 29 sacks of last season, which ranked 25th in the league.
The Jets fell hard last year, and even with Favre, they should not be considered contenders yet. They play the 7th-easiest schedule in the league, which might help some. But New York can only hope the addition of Favre and a few others will instill some vigor into a team that had none last season.
Related posts:
- New York Giants
- NFC East: Football Betting Preview
- Green Bay Packers
- AFC East: Football Betting Preview
- NFC North: Football Betting Preview
