Friday, November 27, 2009

My Panthers-Jets pick

For sheer entertainment value, I love New York Jets coach Rex Ryan. He said in the offseason that he didn’t come to New York to “kiss Bill Belichick’s rings.” He cried in front of his team after a recent loss, then jokingly introduced Kleenex as his new sponsor a few days later.

Ryan also said last week he felt “disrespected” by the Patriots, who unsuccessfully threw deep with 30 seconds to go with a 31-14 lead. I hope Ryan does something controversial Sunday against Carolina – it’s just a shame he doesn’t coach an NFC South team so we’d get to see him twice a year.

-- My unofficial “over-under” on total interceptions thrown in Sunday’s game: 2.5. Jets’ rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez is second in the NFL with 16. The Panthers’ Jake Delhomme has slowed down his pace some, thankfully, but remains tied for third with 14. (Chicago’s Jay Cutler leads the NFL with 18 picks).

-- The Jets are mediocre at stopping the run, so DeAngelo Williams better get at least 20 carries today. He only had 13 last week, which was a crime given that he averaged 9.4 yards per carry and Carolina lost by a TD. Expect the Jets to run a ton, too – they’ve got one of the NFL’s best rushing offenses (ranked No.2 to Carolina's No.3).

-- The Jets have one of the NFL’s great home fan bases (J-E-T-S), but this game should test those fans. Two 4-6 teams, the Sunday after Thanksgiving when lots of people are traveling – it’s not exactly your ideal circumstance. Still, it will be a greater homefield advantage than the Panthers would have if this game were in Charlotte.

-- The Panthers may as well get used to the visitor’s locker room – they return to the same stadium in a month to play the New York Giants in what seemed like a great game in September but now looks like it won't mean much more than this one.

-- My prediction (albeit reluctantly, given the Panthers' doggish performance vs. Miami): Carolina 23, New York Jets 21.

Notes: I'm only 6-4 picking Panther games this season -- they fooled me with that loss against Miami. Check back on this blog either very late tonight or else sometime Saturday -- I'm going to post some thoughts about the Bobcats and LeBron James after covering tonight's Bobcats-Cavs game in Charlotte).

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jets 31 Panther 19

Anonymous said...

Panthers 21 Jets 17

Anonymous said...

Carolina 2 Jets 0

Anonymous said...

Jets 42 Carlolina 7

Jason said...

This is the second article by an Observer sportswriter that mentions incorrectly that the game is "TODAY". (Tysiac about the UNC-State game is the other) Today is Friday!

Anonymous said...

neither of thes teams are very good (and I like both of these teams)

JETS 10 - Carolina 6

Anonymous said...

Carolina 41 - Jets 38!!!

both QB's suck... comeon boys run the football all day!

Anonymous said...

Jets 3 - Carolina 2

The Reid said...

Big game for the Panthers. If they win, there's a chance that they'll remain just one game out of the wild card! The chances aren't good that they'll make the playoffs but there's still some legitimate hope if they win! Panthers 27 Jets 19

Anonymous said...

I really think that the Panthers will lose, but I also think maybe Fox is campaigning for a job back to New York. So its really a toss up.

Anonymous said...

Panthers 34
Jets 10

Curtis Watkins said...

Come on Jason...use some common sense. Of course the local Sports Writers know that the local NFL team doesn't play on Friday. Scott and the other writers post these comments early on the web and they stay out there through the start of the game on Sunday. They also get published in the Sunday paper...you're just getting an early preview on the web.

Interesting comments on here...and I use the term interesting very loosely. 2 - 0? 42 - 7? Fox will lose this game so he can get a job in New York? Yeesh...can we get some posts with some actual realistic thoughts/insight please?

I'm torn on this one. I think, talent wise, the Panthers are better on paper even if only slightly. But the questionable play calling in the Miami game leaves me shaking my head still - why they got away from the previous game plans that worked so well for them baffles me. The only think is they a) wanted to loosen the reigns on Jake and b) wanted to catch Miami off guard. It reminded me of the Arizona playoff game...try and "switch it up" I suppose by doing what you haven't done all year to catch the other team off guard, only to be painfully reminded why you haven't done those things all year. Ultimately, it cost us big against Arizona and it cost us last week against Miami. If the coaches don't get back to what the Panthers can do, i.e. let D'Lo run the ball 20 - 25 times with J Stew sprinkled in there around 10 - 12 times and keeping Jake's throws to around 15 - 20 attempts, and try to do this "other game plan" crap, we're in trouble.

As for the Jets...I haven't watched them at all this year so they are tough to evaluate. All I do know is they came out completely opposite of the Panthers (winning their first 3) but have not been so great since. Their QB has more INTs than Jake, which can't be good for the Jets.

If the coaches stick to the right formula, I think the Panthers win this one. And I have to think the coaches will make the right call on this one and shorten the leash on Jake and give the ball back where it belongs, in Williams' hands. That should be enough to win this game.

Panthers 24, Jets 17.

Jennifer said...

I'm doing the happy dance already this week, I sat out in the freezing cold to watch the 3rd round of HS playoffs last night...

Pep if youre reading this <:-) ..how about those SNSH Firebirds..woot woot...

Now lets keep this flow going for the rest of the week and beat the Jets, and keep the offense on the field most of the day, so Sanchez can enjoy his hotdogs in peace!!!

Curtis Watkins said...

Well...here in the second quarter, down 7 - 3, not sure we can say the Jets have done much to make them ahead in the game. A freak play that bounces of a foot returned for a TD is sort of appropriate for how this season has gone. But, defense keeps playing like they have and we'll be okay. Eventually Sanchez will make a mistake.

Stay with the run...I know it's painful sometimes to watch a 3rd and long draw or power run...but it is what we need to do.

Curtis Watkins said...

And what do we do just now after getting the ball back? Jake throws deep (but short) and it is a pick. Good grief.

Curtis Watkins said...

Jake throw on second down to Moose...too high, over his head. Jake throw on third down to ?...third pick of the game. He didn't even look, he just tossed it up for grabs.

Ladies and gents, if this continues, this is going to get even uglier.

For the love of all things big and small Coach, just pull Jake. This tap dance is beyond old.

***Sigh***

Curtis Watkins said...

“Hey, I know you feel like crap. I mean, you’re not a very handsome guy anyway, so. But, the performer, the quarterback … I never really liked you as a quarterback. But as a person, that’s who I love. I love you as a person.” - Steve Smith to Jake Delhomme

Curtis Watkins said...

Panthers get the ball back, 4th quarter, down 14 - 6...second down, Jake throws high. Third down, Jake throws high.

Curtis Watkins said...

If anybody had any hope left for the rest of the season, this game had to end that. There was always that small sliver of a chance this team would somehow turn things completely around and pull some big wins down the stretch. But, the injuries...the turnovers (aka Jake's INTs)...the undisciplined play resulting in penalties...the stubborn coaches refusing to take Jake out...the baffling play calls at times...the inability to score when in the red zone on too many occassions...the inconsistency...this clearly is not a team that deserves to be anywhere near a playoff discussion.

Nothing left to play for now but pride...and when you have over a month left in the season that is a hard thing to say.

Anonymous said...

Ha enjoy your loss Curtis. Poof be gone like your playoff hopes loser! LOLOLOLOLOLOL! You guys will have a great team when Lucy finally lets Charlie Brown kick the football. Carolina Kitty cats MEOWWWWWWWWWWWW

Anonymous said...

I came close to it (I said both have bad QB's and Jets 10 -Carolina 6)

needless to say... Panthers will probably give a fight to the Pats, Vikes, Giants Vikes and Saints and may win 2 or 3 of those "underdog" type games but could very well lose to the Bucs next week.

panthers never beat the teams "they should beat" and seem to contend with teams that are favored.

how terrible if they finish 4-12 after going 12-4 last year.