New York Stock Exchange

This will be a continuing theme for New York Sports.  The popular Buy or Sell argument seen on television, heard on radio, and read in print.  I will analyze two New York Sports teams.  This week, it's football.

The New York Jets

The Jets are heading into their bye week tied for 1st in the AFC at 5-1.  Are they the best team in the AFC East?  And if so, are they the class of the AFC?  Let's break it down.

The Jets have gotten above average quarterback play from Sophomore Mark Sanchez.  While relying on a heavy rush attack, Sanchez has managed the game like a veteran QB, not like a second year player.  Through six games, Sanchez is only averaging 183 yards a game, but has only turned the ball over three times, throwing two picks and fumbling once.  He's also thrown 9 touchdown passes, five going to emerging Pro Bowler in Dustin Keller.  The Jets rely on their run game, however.  LaDainian Tomlinson is experiencing a rebirth in New York after two injury plagued seasons in San Diego.  Tomlinson has rushed for 490 yards through six games at 5.3 yards a pop.  He has 5 carries for 20 yards or more, already eclipsing his total for 2009, while scoring 5 touchdowns, which also puts him on target to surpass last year's total.  At the beginning of this season, I predicted Tomlinson would take over as the starter for Greene, and it looks like he will at least be splitting carries for the rest of the season.  Greene hasn't been as effective as predicted rushing for 323 yards at 4.5 yards per carry and a touchdown, but it's because he hasn't gotten as many touches as predicted through the first six games.  The defense has been touch and go with the Jets.  They're playing a lot of bend, don't break defense, which, up to this point, has worked.  They are definitely the team to beat in the East, but to call them the class of the AFC, is doing so a little early. 

This fan's opinion:  Buy cautiously.  The Jets have played very well through the first six games, but the road does get a little tougher going ahead.  Next week they play a Green Bay Packer team who has not played up to snuff.  This young team might want to prove something against the Jets.  The remainder of the schedule will see some cakewalks, but also games that look like easy W's, but they are against teams no one should overlook.  The Dolphins, who you can never discard easily, the Patriots, Texans, Steelers, Bengals, and even a Lions team that shouldn't be cast off as a sure win.  So buy, but buyer beware. 

The New York Giants

The Giants finally start their divisional schedule.  60% of the Giants remaining games are against the Eagles, Cowboys, and Redskins.  At 4-2 overall and 0-0 in the division, they are in tie for first place with the tiebreaker, since the Eagles lost to the Redskins and the Giants have yet to play anyone in the East.  Is this the team that got blown out by the Colts or are they the dominating defense that pounded the undefeated Bears and upstart Texans? 

The Giants are very much a Jekyll and Hyde team.  In the first three weeks, they dominated the lowly Panthers, got blown out by the Colts, and beat themselves against the Titans.  Then, in week 4 they clobbered Jay Cutler en route to a 17-3 win over the Bears.  The following week against the surprising Texans, they had a good showing on both sides of the ball for the first time all year, beating the Houston 34-10.  In week 6, they came back home to beat the Lions 28-20.  So which team is it? The team that beats itself?  Or the team that can control a game on both sides of the ball?  Let's break it down.

Amhad Bradshaw is looking like a back that doesn't need an offensive line.  Even short yardage gains, look and see where Bradshaw first gets hit, and then where he winds up with ball.  He's a dynamic, fast back, with a lot of potential.  The only negative I can think of is that he needs to hold on to the ball.  Rule #1 in Coughlin's coaching manual.  Don't turnover the ball.  Eli Manning is growing into a top 10 QB.  He's completing more passes, throwing for more yards, and keeping his mistakes to a minimum.  Now if the receivers could only help him out.  5 of Manning's 8 picks have been off receivers' hands, and that's inexcusable.  I'm a firm believer in, "If the ball hit's your hands, the ball should be caught."  The Giants defense, after getting torched for 38 points by Indy, and 29 by Tennessee, has played extremely well against the Bears, who, in this fan's opinion, are still just a facade.  They only allowed three points, and that's only because of a turnover.  They also shut down a high flying offense in Houston, and allowed 20 points to the best offense in the NFC......The Lions?  Yes, statistically, the Lions are the best offensive team in NFC.  So where does this leave the Giants stock?

This fan's opinion: Buy.  In a weak NFC, the Giants are actually in the conversation as one of the best teams in the conference.  While they have a tough schedule ahead barring records, they have a decent shot at winning this division, and making a deep run in the playoffs.  At the beginning of the season, I said that the Giants could make the playoffs, although it would be a tough going.  A lot of things had to go right for the Giants, and they are.  Osi is playing like it's 2007-8, the secondary is healthy, and surprise Jonathan Goff is filling in nicely at MLB for Bullock, and might just win the starting job.  So buy, but again, buyer beware.

This fan's lock of the week:  Baltimore Ravens

This fan's upset of the week:  Miami Dolphins