NFL Preview: Only a Win Will End Jets Circus

The Ines Sainz affair is the least of the Jets’ problems. Al Dannity says Rex Ryan and pals badly need a win at home to New England.

Just another day in Jets-land
The scandal surrounding the Jets treatment of TV Azteca reporter Ines Sainz isn’t something this franchise needs right now. The only positive thing to come from the affair is that it is distracting people from the team’s awful offensive performance against Baltimore on Monday Night Football. Mark Sanchez went just 10 of 21 for 74 yards as the Jets put together just 176 total yards. It would have been less but for an inspiring 62 yards on 11 rushes by LaDainian Tomlinson. Things simply have to get better against New England.

Tom Brady and Wes Welker were outstanding in the opener against the Bengals. Randy Moss was fine, at least on the field, but the sideline rumblings from the man that defines the diva position are a cause for concern. While lacking the TMZ style coverage of the Jets, a sulking Moss can be a disaster for a franchise. Just ask the Raiders who essentially paid him to phone it in for his last two seasons in Oakland before he revived his career in New England. If Moss was happy, I’d say this game is New England’s to lose. When Randy starts sulking, well it’s time to take a step back.

The Jets remain a fierce defense; we saw that on Monday night. If Moss isn’t a weapon for New England then the passing game becomes less of a mis-match. Right now this Jets team is wounded. This weekend it can either lie down and die or come out fighting. Given the veteran talent in New York, I expect the latter to prevail. Bet on the New York Jets as a +2.0 underdog with Sports Interaction.

Speaking of bad passing performances
Matt Cassel flat-out stank against the Chargers. He was awful. I heard some announcers describe his performance as so-so. A 10 of 22 for 68 yards performance is nothing less than pathetic in this league. Sure he threw for a touchdown but that one shining moment aside, Cassel added nothing to the Chiefs offense.

Luckily for Cassel, he’s facing a quarterback that did almost as badly in week one. Kansas City travels to Cleveland this weekend where Jake Delhomme lies in wait. Delhomme had a 20 of 37 with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions against Tampa Bay and looked like anything but the answer to the Browns’ prayers. NFL betting fans are counting down the day to the start of the Seneca Wallace era in Cleveland.

Kansas City should, at least I hope, use Jamaal Charles and Dexter McCluster more in week 2. Cleveland’s ground game has potential too but only if they unleash the under-used Jerome Harrison. Last season these teams served up a classic, I wouldn’t be as confident this time around. Bet on the Kansas City Chiefs as +1.0 underdogs with Sports Interaction.