New York offense vs. Denver defense

	JETS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	15
	Pass	18
	Tot. Yds.	20
	Scoring	23
	Int's allowed	21
	Sacks allowed	26
	BRONCOS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	20
	vs. Pass	4
	Total yds. allowed	15
	Pts. allowed	27
	Ints.	25
	Sacks	14
	Turnover differential	-8

All things considered, the Jets did not put in a horrible performance last Sunday vs. the Redskins. This is an offense that has high expectations, but the fact is that the talent level is only marginal.

The Jets are without their starting quarterback and No. 2 receiver and are playing with an offensive line that was supposed to be protected by elite talent at the skill positions. Now that opponents are able to put more men in the box without concern for the passing game, the offensive line's deficiencies become exposed.

The Jets did establish a run game on Sunday and were able to spell Curtis Martin with newly acquired Bernie Parmalee. Knowing that Denver is going to attack Rick Mirer and force him to make quick decisions with the football, Bill Parcells will, more than ever, turn to the running game to set the pace early to hush the Mile High crowd. Denver's most serious concern may be against the run, where the defense has allowed an average of 154.7 yards per game.

The Broncos' undersized defensive line has been exposed over the course of the first few weeks and has been unable to protect its linebackers. Blockers are able to shed the defensive tackles and ends and get downfield to chip the linebackers and take them out of plays. Teams have been running downhill, which allows offensive linemen time to get a good angle, kick out the linebacker and give the running back room to make the cutback into the secondary.

The Jets have two inexperienced offensive guards that will be the key to their running game and possibly the entire production of the offense. If Kerry Jenkins and Randy Thomas can handle Trevor Pryce and Keith Traylor, it will allow for OC Kevin Mawae to release off the line and chase down a linebacker in pursuit of the play. Mawae is athletic enough that he becomes in essence an extra fullback if he is uncovered. He will get a lot of isolation blocks in the running game to clear out running lanes for Martin and Parmalee.

CB Dale Carter has been one of the biggest disappointments for the squad. Carter was brought in to play the roll of "shut-down" corner, allowing the rest of the secondary to roll coverage to Ray Crockett's side, or be able to help in run support. Carter has not given up many big plays, but he has been giving a huge pad to receivers, which is uncharacteristic, and allowing a lot of room underneath. Carter will line up against WR Dedric Ward, and this should be a matchup that the veteran corner dominates.

On the far side, Crocket will line head up with Keyshawn Johnson and make this a physical matchup underneath, with the comfort of knowing that his safeties are rolled over and will pick him up in the deep third. This will be very similar to a two-deep coverage, but only will be played on the right side of the defense.

The Jets realize that they began to move the ball last week when they found a way to get Keyshawn some more touches. Coach Parcells will scheme a way to get the ball in Johnson's hands anyway possible, so the biggest key to this game could be the secondaries ability to communicate and react to Johnson's motion and movement off the line of scrimmage.

Denver offense vs. New York defense

	BRONCOS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	21
	Pass	25
	Tot. Yds.	27
	Scoring	28
	Int's allowed	18
	Sacks allowed	15
	JETS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	17
	vs. Pass	23
	Total yds. allowed	26
	Pts. allowed	25
	Ints.	29
	Sacks	30
	Turnover differential	-6

A lot can be said about the passing game's ineffectiveness causing the running lanes to become cluttered, and that the offensive line has had a hard time adjusting with Matt Lepsis at right tackle, but one thing is true: Terrell Davis is not running the ball as hard as previous years.

Davis has had to work for his yardage more than any other season, but when he clears the line of scrimmage he lacks the same burst that propelled him into so many defensive backfields for big gains. With that said, the Jets are going to pack it in tight and make sure that Davis has little room to operate.

Last Sunday, and as will be the case this Sunday, the Buccaneers sent linebackers, safeties and cornerbacks at Griese on sure passing downs. The rest of the time, they sent the house against Davis. Expect to see strong safety Steve Atwater close to the line of scrimmage, and Bill Belichick 3-4 defense will be shooting each gap with a different body.

This week, however, the Broncos draw favorable matchups on receivers Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith and need to take advantage of the size difference. CB Ray Mickens, in particular, has had trouble matching up with bigger receivers, as witnessed last week with two costly pass interference penalties.

The Jets are in a compromising situation in the secondary because of TE Shannon Sharpe's ability to stretch the defense and force coverage from the free safety. New York has been able to roll coverage back and forth to help out its corners in the deep third. With Sharpe streaking down the seams, Mickens and Aaron Glenn are going to be forced into a lot of man-to-man situations. The only way to exploit these matchups will be to spread the field vertically and go up top early in the game. This will drive the linebackers back into coverage and possibly give Griese some time in the pocket to make his reads downfield.

Special teams

	NFL RANK
	Category	NYJ	DEN
	Punt return avg.	21	24
	Kickoff return avg.	9	6
	Opp. punt return avg.	26	10
	Opp. kickoff ret. avg.	19	16
	Time of possession	22	28

The Jets special teams unit has been one of the team's lone bright spots. P Tom Tupa is one of the best in the business and continues to prove it every week. He averaged 48.0-yards per punt and landed his only opportunity of the day inside the 20. Kevin Williams sparked the troops with an 87-yard kickoff return. The Jets return teams have been outstanding and continue to put the offense in good field position. PK John Hall was 2-for-2 and kept the Jets in the game in the fourth quarter.

Denver's punter, Tom Rouen, has seen his role increase ten-fold from a season ago. Rouen averaged 46.7 yards per punt on seven attempts last Sunday and kept the ball out of Denver territory for most of the game. Rookie Chris Watson has been consistent, and with time should become a top return man in this league.

Key matchups