Same Old..... No No No Not Today

Jets-Bucs

They were on the brink of victory, when a boneheaded play by their linebacker cost them the game, Same Old ...... Bucs (What?!). The roller coaster of emotions Gang Green put their fans on during the last 5 minutes of Sunday's opener against Tampa Bay was nothing short of amazing.

Nick Folk hit a 30-yard field goal with 5:05 left in the game to give the Jets their first lead since 1:07 in the first quarter. Then, Josh Freeman led the Bucs on a nine play, 61 yard drive, sparked by a 37 yard reception by Vincent Jackson, to put Tampa back up 17-15 with just 34 seconds left in the game. After an incomplete pass, rookie Geno Smith fired a 25 yard completion to Kellen Winslow, and followed it up with a 10-yard run to the Tampa 45. Then, which brought back shades of Eric Barton in the 2004 playoffs, Lavonte David was called for a 15-yard personal foul, which set up Folk's game winning 48-yarder.

After hearing all offseason how they would be one of the worst teams in the league, Rex's crew came out to prove a point on Sunday, defeating a team many figured will compete for the NFC South title, thanks to the addition of former Jet, Darrelle Revis. The defense played a great game, which is expected by a Rex Ryan coached team. The question was, how would rookie Geno Smith play in his first career start. While there were some bumps in the road, Smith (24-38, 256 yds, 47 yds rushing) came up big when the moment called for it. After two first half turnovers, Geno settled down and showed tremendous poise battling back in the second half.

The offense showed signs of struggle, and there are a few issues for the long term, but for now football is back, and one New York team is 1-0, and they wear green.

 Week 1 Quick Notes

• Speaking of the Blue guys, Eli did his best Sanchez impersonation, throwing a pick to Demarcus Ware on his first throw of the season, the first of six turnovers for Big Blew It in their season opening loss to Dallas. Not even a clearly injured Tony Romo could rescue the G-Men from themselves. All that was missing was a butt-fumble.
• Chip Kelly unleashed his quick strike, no-huddle offense on the NFL Monday night, in a 33-27 win in Washington. The Iggles are going to be fun to watch this season. 
• In the biggest upset of Week 1, the Titans demolished the Steelers, who were shutout offensively, with a grand total of 2 points. 
• I hope none of my readers have the unfortunate situation I found myself in, with David Wilson and Steven Ridley rushing for a combined 65-yards on Sunday for my fantasy team. 
• After preparing all off-season for the read-option offense, Jim Harbaugh threw Green Bay for a loop, with Kaepernick throwing for 412 and 3 TD's in a rematch from last season's division round playoff. Kaep and RG3 have a target on their backs this season after the option offense befuddled defensive coordinators all of last season.
• "Tom Brady pulled out too early"- a Sportscenter anchor during Pats-Bills highlights
• Speaking of the Patsies, the Bills and rookie EJ Manuel gave them all they could handle, and now both Danny Amendola and Shane Vereen are out with injuries. 
• Falcons fans had nightmares of the NFC Championship Game, as Matty Ice failed to score from the Saints 7 yard line late in the 4th Quarter as Sean Payton gets a win in his return to the NFL.
• That Peyton Manning guy is pretty good. I think he has a bright future ahead of him.

Jets-Patriots

No rest for the weary, on Thursday when arch-nemesis' the Jets and Pats look to rekindle their rivalry in 2013. Gang Green has lost their last four against the Pats, with their last victory coming in the 2010 playoffs. The last time these two teams met was Thanksgiving 2012, in a game us Jets fans would like to forget. 

These aren't the same Pats that played that game 10 months ago. Welker, Gronkowski, Hernandez, Vereen, and Woodhead will all be out of action, as will new acquisition Danny Amendola. Like a wounded animal, however, any team with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick is always dangerous. 

The key to this game is for the Jets defense to hit Tom Brady early and often, as he is known to get rattled. Geno Smith should have an easier time moving the ball against the Pats than he did against Revis and the Bucs. 

I don't think the Jets are going to win, but this game is a hell of a lot closer than Vegas is predicting with a 12 1/2 point spread. Maybe Rex can keep preaching the message of us against the world to the locker room, and you never know what could happen when they take the field Thursday night. 

Prediction: Patriots 30 Jets 20