Sportsbook handicappers who were ready to write off head coach Rex Ryan and the New York Jets will have to think again as they have now won their last 2 games.
Bad Start Forgotten
The Jets were something of a joke after their opening night 10-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on ESPN Monday Night Football. But since that time they have beaten the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins to grab a share of the lead in the AFC East. The Jets are now in flight as the team to beat in the division and as a top sports book choice to contend for the AFC championship.
Sanchez Improved
Mark Sanchez had a rough rookie season last year as the starting quarterback and it looked like it was going to be more of the same after a bad performance in the opener against the Ravens. But Sanchez had his best game as a pro in the Jets 28-14 win over New England as 3 point home dogs as he passed for 220 yards and 3 touchdowns. Against Miami last week on NBC Sunday Night Football Sanchez proved he could do it again as he passed for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns. Sanchez was not intercepted in the past two games and has a stellar QB rating of 104.9 after compiling a poor 63.0 QB rating last year.
Ground Rex
Ryan’s much vaunted ground attack continues to pick up where it left off last year as LaDanian Tomlinson continues to shine for the Jets at SBG. Against the Dolphins Tomlinson had 70 yards with a touchdown and 4.7 yards per carry average. He has 208 yards rushing for the season and a much improved 5.6 yards per carry average compared to last year’s 3.3 yards per rush average at San Diego. The Jets rank 9th overall in the NFL for rushing yards and their ground game is an excellent sportsbook compliment to their defense and Sanchez.
Leaky Secondary
The Jets were fortunate to get by the Dolphins as Miami’s Chad Henne passed for 363 yards as superstar cornerback Darrelle Revis was out with an injury but is expected back this week. The Jets rank a poor 28th in the NFL for pass defense and that will not help them beat the sports book long term.