Falcons at Jets Pregame

Playoff Picture:

Division Leaders

Indy 13-0
SD 10-3
Cincy 9-4
NE 8-5

Wild Card Leaders

Den 8-5
Jax 7-6

In the Hunt

Bal 7-6
Mia 7-6
NYJ 7-6

Need a miracle
Pit 6-7
Ten 6-7
Hou 6-7

Important Games:

Colts at Jaguars- The Jets need the Jaguars to lose this game because of tiebreakers.  This would take another team behind the Jets (assuming the Jets win) which is always a good thing.

Dolphins at Titans- Another loss for the Dolphins would be huge because this is yet another team that the Jets lose tiebreakers against.

Oakland at Denver- If Oakland wins this game it bring the Broncos back into the already muddled AFC wild card race.

Bengals v. Chargers- If the Chargers win this game it pretty much cements them into the second spot in the AFC and the Bengals will be solidified in the 3rd spot.  The Jets need the Bengals to have nothing to play for in the final week.

Patriots at Bills-  If the Patriots lose the Jets will have an outside shot of winning the division if they win out.

Chicago at Baltimore- Chicago needs to win and knock Baltimore out of the playoff picture.

Game Preview:

Falcons at Jets:

The Jets are 7-6 and are right in the middle of the AFC wild card race.  However, they do not control their own destiny as the Jaguars and Dolphins have the same record and both win tiebreakers against the Jets.  There are plenty of question marks coming into this game.  Will Matt Ryan and Michael Turner play?  Will Mark Sanchez be the starting QB for the Jets?  The answer to these questions could go a long way to determining the outcome of this game.

What to watch for....

• How will all the injury questions play out on Sunday?  With both starting quarterbacks and the Michael Turner questionable for this game we are largely unsure of how this game will play out.  My guess is that Ryan and Sanchez will start but Turner will be ruled out.  

• The crowd should be really into it Sunday as no Jets fan was expecting meaningful games this late in the season a few weeks ago.  This is a make or break game for the season and I expect a really loud, packed Meadowlands.

• The playoff race is heating up and everyone will be watching the scoreboard rooting for other teams to lose.  Despite being tied for the playoff spot the Jets still need a lot of help in order to make the playoffs.

Who to watch for...

• Thomas Jones has had a phenomenal season and will need to continue that effort whether Sanchez or Clemens starts in this one.  Clemens has played terribly in limited action and if Sanchez plays it will be with 2 knee braces.  Jones has had a great season and will need to keep it up in this game.

• David Harris and Bart Scott need to shut down the Falcons running attack, especially if Turner plays.  

• D'Brickashaw Ferguson will have to play a great game in order to shut down John Abraham and the Falcons pass rush.  The Jets can't allow Sanchez to be hit hard in this one (assuming he starts) especially because he's wearing 2 knee braces.

Game Thoughts:

I think the Jets will come out and play well in this one and get a big home win.  The crowd should be into it and the Jets rushing attack should be able to get going in this one.

Game Prediction:

Jets- 24
Falcons- 21