Game Preview: Jets v. Ravens

After a busy offseason and months of waiting opening day is upon us.  The Jets will host the Ravens at 7 PM tonight on Monday Night Football as they open one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory.  The Jets didn't get lulled into a false sense of security after a good playoff run last year and instead went out and made some moves which should greatly improve the team.  The additions of LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Cromartie, and Jason Taylor should all play a huge factor in tonight's game against a very good team.

What to watch for...

• The Jets prolific running attack will be facing one of the best defensive front sevens in the league tonight.  The Jets led the league in rushing last year and figure to be near the top this year.  The Ravens front 7 is anchored by DT Haloti Ngata and MLB Ray Lewis and should be a formidable defense against the Jets running game.  The Jets will be cautious in this one early and I could see a very disappointing offensive first half running the football.

• The Jets offensive line play will greatly depend on the play and maturity of newcomer Matt Slauson.  The Jets will be in trouble if Slauson's suspect pass protection forces Sanchez to hurry too many of his throws.  Another worry is the play of RT Damian Woody.  Reports have said that Woody looks a step slower this season and may not be playing up to the same form he did last season. 
• The Jets defense finished #1 in the league last year and made several key additions this offseason.  CB's Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson will join Darrelle Revis in a secondary which hopes to be even better this season.  Jason Taylor will start at OLB for Bart Scott and will be given the opportunity to show that he can regain some of his old form.  

Who to watch for....

• Darrelle Revis: Normally Revis is somebody that will rarely get mentioned in this part of the preview as somebody to watch for because he is so good and consistent.  However, with only a week of practice under his belt and coming off a prolonged holdout Revis may be tested early by Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin.  Revis will have to prove early that he can duplicated last year's form and force the Ravens to throw away from Boldin and towards Cromartie's side.
• Mark Sanchez: The Jets worked all offseason to load up the weapons around Sanchez to give him a better chance to succeed in the passing game.  Sanchez cannot make decisions that cost the Jets the game.
• Shonn Greene: If Greene can get going early it will make life much easier on Mark Sanchez and the rest of the Jets offense.  The offense needs to control the clock and wear down the Ravens front 7 in the first half to set up scoring opportunities against a tired Ravens defense in the second half.

Game Overview:

The Jets come into this season with a target on their backs and with extremely high expectations.  Rex Ryan has created a new culture for the Jets and that should be evident tonight.  The Jets and Ravens are two of the toughest teams in the league and both should be looking to run it down each other's throats.  I see this as an extremely even, low scoring game which the Jets should win simply because they are home.

Prediction:

Jets: 13
Ravens: 10