New York Stock Exchange Week 10

The Jets and Giants share the same record.  They both own first place in their respective divisions, Giants outright and Jets by tie-breaker.  But they are in very different positions.  While the Giants seem to be clicking on both sides of the ball, the Jets struggle at times to move the ball down the field, and they play the best "bend, don't break" defense.  While not giving up many points per game, the Jets give up large chunks of offense, but capitalize on plus-minus turnovers. 

The New York Jets 6-2 1st Place AFC East

Rex Ryan should be very nervous.  His Jets played sloppy and penalty prone for 55 minutes in Sunday's overtime victory over the lowly, however much improved, Detroit Lions.  It's necessary to point out that the Jets won because of an injury to Detroit place kicker, Jason Hanson.  If not for that injury the Jets would be 5-3, and one game behind the Patriots, who played worse than the Jets on Sunday.  But, hey.  A win is a win is a win.  So let's give credit where it is due. 

On the Plus Side....
Darelle Revis looks like he is completely healed and definitely played like it.  Revis shut down one of the most dangerous wide outs in the game on Sunday.  Calvin Johnson, who was shadowed by Revis all game, had one catch for 13 yards.  He broke up 2 passes out of four targets.  He set the tone for Johnson's game on the very first play of the game, when Matthew Stafford went deep to Johnson, and Revis knocked it away.  Mark Sanchez threw lots of passes over the heads of his receivers, but when crunch time came around, he zoned in.  He ran a very efficient two minute drill in over time, using the no huddle, and connected with Santonio Homes on a big 52 yard pass play that setup the game winning field goal.  While LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for a mediocre 3.7 yards per carry, Shonn Greene is coming around.  Greene had 46 yards on 10 carries. 

On the Other Hand....
The Jets were flagged 11 times for 99 yards.  This team is more disciplined than that.  Rex Ryan was kicking and screaming on the sidelines at the sloppy play.  The Jets are usually on the positive side of the turnover battle, but not on Sunday.  Mark Sanchez threw an interception,  and also fumbled 3 times, although he didn't lose one of those.  Braylon Edwards lost a fumble, making the Jets -2 for the game.  The Jets put the ball on the carpet a total of 5 times, but only lost it once.  They should still be concerned about that stat though.  Although Calvin Johnson was shut down by Revis, Nate Burrelson had himself quite a game.  Burrelson had 113 yards on 7 catches with a touchdown.  Early on, the Jets were playing man to man, but zoned off the field, and still couldn't contain Burrelson.   

The Road Ahead....
@ Cleveland- Last two games- Beat the Saints and Patriots.  Don't underestimate this team.
vs. Houston- Dangerous team offensively.
vs. Cincinnati- Talented offensively, but are not performing to their capabilities.
@ New England- Tom Brady hasn't lost a game in New England in forever.
vs. Miami- Have only lost once to the Jets in last 5 meetings.
@ Pittsburgh- Top 5 team in the NFL.
@ Chicago- Should handle this team with ease.
vs. Buffalo- Their record speaks for itself, though they are getting closer each week to their first win.

Buy or Sell....
This team was one of the preseason favorites to go to the Superbowl.  The Jets do not look like a Super Bowl team right now.  Sell.


New York Giants 6-2 1st Place NFC East

The New York Giants are playing some of the best football in the league.  Perry Fewell has this defense playing like they did in '08.  The defense didn't record a sack in Sunday's blowout victory over the Seattle Seahawks, but they didn't blitz all game.  The defensive scheme called for the linebackers to drop into coverage and let the running game beat them.  The running game never got started because the Seahawks fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter, forcing Seattle to pass all game.  They boast the best balanced offensive team in the league.  With weapons like Nicks, Smith, and Bradshaw, the Giants have the 7th best passing game and the 3rd best rush attack.  

On the Plus Side....
Amhad Bradshaw is third in the NFL in rushing yards.  Eli Manning is the 8th ranked quarterback in the league.  He is third in the league with 17 TD passes.  Hakeem Nicks is tied for first with 9 TDs, and 6th in yards with 653.  Brandon Jacobs is one of the best complementary backs in the league, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.  The offensive line protects Manning as well as any other line in the league.  

 Osi Umenyiora is third in the league with 8.0 sacks, and far and away first in the NFL with 7 forced fumbles.  The Giants are the 2nd ranked rush defense in the league, allowing 80.9 yards per game.  Their pass defense is just as good, also ranked 2nd.  The secondary is allowing 170 yards through the air per game.  While not as talented as Revis and Cromartie, Corey Webster and Terrel Thomas have put together very nice seasons.  Webster made an outstanding interception on Sunday on a pass intended for Mike Williams.  

On Sunday, the Giants outgained Seattle 487 yards to 162.  New York held the ball for a staggering 42 minutes and 34 seconds.  The defense held Seattle to 1/8 on third downs.  The biggest stat to me is this.  In 2006, the Giants were called for 11 false starts in Seattle.  On Sunday, the Giants weren't flagged once for a false start, and limited their total penalties to 5 for 40 yards.  Webster limited Mike Williams to 2 catches in 8 targets for 25 yards.  

On the Other Hand....
There wasn't much to criticize the Giants performance on Sunday.  But once again, there is the special teams that needs to be addressed.  Although the special teams squad did force a fumble, they still frequently give up big chunks on kick off and punt returns.  Leon Washington almost broke one for a touchdown, but got tackled from behind on a nice pursuit from Duke Calhoun.  

The Road Ahead....
vs. Dallas- Dallas might play for a new coach.  Don't sleep during week 10.
@ Philadelphia- The Eagles play well with Vick under center.  By far the the Giants biggest competition in the NFC East.
vs. Jacksonville- Beware of a rejuvenated David Garrard.
vs. Washington-  The Giants should handle this team with ease.
@ Minnesota- Depending on their record, this game could mean a lot to the Vikes. 
vs. Phiadelphia- See above.
@ Green bay- Top 5 NFC team.  Depending on record, this game could mean a lot to the Pack.
@ Washington- The Redskins should be out of it by the last week of the season, but the Giants may be looking for a better seed, or at worst, a wild card berth.

Buy or Sell....
At the beginning of the season, many things needed to go the Giants way to be where they are right now.  Two things have happened.  The defense is playing a fierce game under Perry Fewell, and the Giants are rushing the ball better than last season, when they were ranked 17th.  They might not be the best team in the NFL, but they are the class of the NFC right now.  Buy, Buy, Buy