Now is the time for Jets fans to say the beating at the hands of the Raiders was "only one game", it's not the end of the season, come down from the ledge, the problems will all be corrected, etc. We'll even hear how bad the officiating was, how much the Raiders have improved, and other various excuses. But in all honesty, the Jets were thoroughly beaten in every phase of the game by a team with presumably less talent. And an abortion of an offseason nonwithstanding, we are still not the same team as we were one year ago.

The once feared "ground and pound" running game that dominated the point of attack, beat down defenses and broke their will, is nothing but a toothless paper tiger. We've gone from the best running game in football to one of the league's worst in two short years. The O-line, once the backbone of the offense, is broken, and the chemistry that made it special is gone. Not only do they seem incapable of winning matchups to create running lanes, the pass blocking is just as ineffective. Sanchez has been sacked 9 times already and is responsible for 5 turnovers in 3 games. Sound pretty bad? Now consider that this is against the league's 23rd, 13th, and 28th ranked defenses respectively.

Sorry for bringing up defense. Because the unit that is supposed to define the New York Jets and be #1 in the league isn't even in the top ten. Rex Ryan's loud, trash talking, intimidating defense that likes to suffocate QB's and beat you up physically got punched in the mouth on Sunday. And they didn't get back up. This was different from the blowout loss in New England last year when we were outplayed, out-schemed, and beaten with finesse. Because Oakland lined up and just kicked our ass. The beat us up like bullies on the playground. No wonder Sione described the loss as "humiliating". The swagger is gone. So is the mystique, as this defense has been exposed. The blitzes scare no one anymore, and we still have no pass rush. Jason Campbell doesn't even need to wash his jersey this week, because aside from being untouched, the guy probably never even broke a sweat. Our QB got sent home with a broken nose... It's not just about one loss. Look at the way this team is playing. If Romo didn't gift wrap our home opener we're 1-2 with everyone else yammering about the very issues I'm bringing up now.  

Championship teams are rare. And dynasties can be counted on one hand, because teams don't stay good for long. There is a small window of opportunity to take advantage of your talent and good fortune. We've been on the doorstep, and blown it two years in a row now. Look what two years did to the Minnesota Vikings. The window is closing.   

First off, anybody here knows I've never been a believer in Mark Sanchez. Lots of reasons but that's for another thread. And lots of fans pile on the OC and I've never understood it, rationalizing that he can only work with the talent he's got and a QB who's inaccurate and makes bad decisions. My eyes have been opened - Sanchez isn't the greatest by any stretch, but he was not given a fair opportunity to be successful tonight. Kids go back to the main page because the gloves are coming off for this rant.    

Brian, I can't blame you for the 1st half defensive breakdowns and poor tackling. Or the bullshit one-sided calls that are a part of every Steelers game. But this AFC Championship was potentially lost on YOUR playcalling, and 53 players are going home early because you're a fucking idiot. Maybe you helped in Sanchez's development, and maybe he likes you. But I don't and neither does 90% of this fanbase. We're down 2 TD's in the 4th qtr deep in Pittsburgh territory as precious seconds tick away because YOU don't have a play ready??? What? I've never even heard of that! And Greene is GOUGING their defense because LD was useless in this contest, yet you call TWO pass plays in a critical sequence from the 2 yard line?? It's 4th and goal by the time you realize what a fucking moron you are since we're a run-first offense with an all star O-line and you've just pissed away 2 downs. Your next call is on 4th and goal from the 2. Tough one here. Do you hand it to Greene, who's averaging 5.8 yds a carry? Or LD, who's averaging 1.8? Woody is wasting his money on a POS like you. Half the guys in the bar we watched the game in would have made better play calls.  

The ensuing safety is irrelevant because time was such a huge factor at that point. We NEEDED a TD on that series. I'm sick of the painfully predictable offensive formations. Sick of watching the talent we've signed squandered because the latest incarnation of Paul Hackett doesn't know how to utilize it. You're a lifetime loser just like your old man. And I'm sick of seeing you on the Jets sideline. Take your pedigree, your great reputation as this brilliant offensive mind, take your clipboard and kick rocks. Make like a shepherd and get the flock out of here. And don't let the door hit you in the ass.

I think we're all familiar with Mark's horrific statline in the trips he's taken to Foxborough. 2 games, 300 total passing yards, 0 TD's and 7 INT's. So what if this trend continues? If he can't get the offense moving (and it will certainly be on his shoulders to do that as our running game will be New England's first, second and third priority) do you sit him? And if so, how long do you wait before giving him the hook? Keep in mind this is a very talented team built to win now, with many players who won't be back, and if Mark doesn't play well they all go home early. It's a tough call to make, though I don't think Rex has the balls to do it. Even if Sanchez keeps turning it over. But against the Patriots, a couple bad turnovers and it could already be too late..

One of the most prolific and respected players in the history of the sport seems to think so. Pay attention, Rex:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Peyton-Manning-thinks-the-Patriots-may-bug-visit?urn=nfl-287763

Peyton Manning, for reasons unspecified, believes the visitor's locker room at Gilette Stadium is wired with eavesdropping devices. Wouldn't be much surprise at all, coming from the secretive, shady, underhanded organization also known as the New England Patriots. Just as their cheating head coach's unscrupulous spying brought the team 3 Superbowl titles, could even more of his scumbag tactics account for New England's improbable success on their home field?  

I don't ever remember 3 overtime games in one weekend, and 3 out of 4 AFC division leaders lost today: Patriots, Colts , and Chiefs. While Kansas City still maintains a half game lead in the West, they suffered a conference loss as did New England. The upcoming game against Cleveland, which at the start of the season was nothing more than a mere blip on our radar, now looms much larger. With a 2 game streak of convincing wins over the Superbowl champs and the previously 6-1 Patriots (not to mention capable QB play, at long last) the Browns are looking competitive. Bad time to run into a hot team playing disciplined football when the 6-2 Jets are squeaking out sloppy wins and haven't looked good since week 4 at Buffalo. And how bad do you think Mangini wants this one?

The Raiders and Chargers are back from the dead. The Patriots and Colts are not in first place. Now we need to take Cleveland seriously before they clobber us too. What is going on in this league?

It's just been reported that Manning declined to consider a new contract offer, which is being pushed by Indy's ownership, until season's end. The assumption is that he wants his focus to remain on playing. But what if there's more to the story? What if there's some other underlying reason for putting it off? Regardless, the guy will be the league's highest paid player next season. But it doesn't mean he has to be wearing the same uniform.

How do you not make this phone call? Manning is 34 and has plenty of football left. Comparing him to what we have now is laughable, since he is a dramatic upgrade in every aspect of the QB position. Nevermind the daydreams about what he could do behind the Jets O-line and with our running game and all-star list of wideouts (even though one of them may not return). The move makes sense because we are a team built to win now led by a player who is anything but. Not only that, but trading Sanchez would be painless for any other team in the absence of a salary cap. Same goes for paying Manning, who in any case is worth more than any player on our roster.

Yeah, it's a long shot. A bad year from the Colts would certainly help the cause, though a Monday night win over Houston puts Indy in the driver's seat for the division once again. But you have to make the phone call to find out if it's possible. Manning is a fierce competitor, and if he was convinced he had a better chance to win in football's biggest market? Across the street from his brother? Who knows? We'd be replacing the guy who won least valuable player this week with a Hall of Famer who's been league MVP 4 times. Dial him up, Tanny.

I can't believe how many people are blaming this guy today for the nauseating offensive performance we were forced to endure last night. It's almost as if Brian was the one bobbling shotgun snaps, tossing errant passes, and running the 2 minute drill with the authority of a frightened high school kid. Schotty's hands are tied. We're potentially wasting 3 roster spots; one on Sanchez and another on Brunell who's only here to babysit him, and Clemens who isn't allowed to play anyway. Does anyone still believe that Sanchez gives us the best chance to win? His sickening 3.5yd avg is less than Shonn Greene rushed for, and Greene got benched. Kevin Kolb, 1st year starter, had a better completion pct than Sanchez, and he had a concussion. It's frustrating when you have a team loaded with talent, who have all gotten in line to follow a player who cannot lead.             

Sanchez looks overwhelmed, as in completely. He has already decided, before the ball is snapped, where he's going with it. He doesn't go through progressions, or read a defense to find soft spots. Every pass is perfectly telegraphed to his intended receiver for anyone who bothers to take notice. This was never more evident than on the short dumpoffs he rushed to complete before even checking to see if there was a downfiled option. Even though he wasn't pressured. I mean, doesn't 74 yards passing on your home field tell you all you need to know about Mark Sanchez?. Let that sink in. And with drives STARTING at the Raven's 35, 31, and 10 yard lines, no TD's. Add up those 3 "drives" alone and that's more yardage than he could pass for in the whole game. And how can you not even reach the 50yd line against a prevent defense with 1:37 left and all you need is a FG? That's truly pathetic. Both teams have great defenses. But only one has a QB. There's your winner. 

Schotty plays with the hand he's been dealt. He did it with a flawed QB in Pennington, and he's doing it with a guy who's far worse in Sanchez. It would be one thing if the guy was throwing 3 picks in a 350yd passing effort, but he's not. He can't crack 200 on a good day, and if he's allowed to push it downfield it's a pick-a-thon anyway. How else can you play a guy like that? You can't risk turning it over when your'e a defensive team that relies on ball control and field position. Want an explosive offense? Find a QB who can lead one. Blame the coach for being stubborn. Blame the QB for being incompetent. But don't blame the OC for protecting the team from it's only major liability, who also happens to play the most important position on the field.