Jets Takeoff

The three best (and most important) Jets, and why New York’s in trouble:

Darrelle Revis: The team’s best player, and the best cornerback in the NFL. Watching what he’s done this year against Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, Marques Colston, and others has been amazing. Thank God he’s still in lineup.

Kris Jenkins: The man in the middle, and the anchor of one of the league’s most improved defenses. Jenkins was lost for the year three weeks ago and his absence leaves a huge hole. Backs couldn’t run up the middle against No. 77, he put pressure on the quarterback, and the big guy made everyone else around him better.

Leon Washington: The Jets’ most important offensive player, lost for the season two weeks ago. Kickoff return man, running back, and quarterback of the “Seminole” offense, he did it all. Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene can run, but Leon won games. Huge loss.

There's no reason to celebrate Sanchez. The uniform you're being forced to wear is awful.

What should annoy Jets’ fans at the midway point of the season. (Even more than the fact that New York has lost four of its last five games.)

First and foremost, the Jets are not making the playoffs. As I said on Sunday morning, look at all the teams ahead of New York in the standings: now New England (5-2), Indianapolis (7-0), Houston (5-3), Cincinnati (5-2), Pittsburgh (5-2), and Denver (6-1); the teams tied with the Jets at 4-3: now Baltimore and San Diego; and the teams one win behind: now Miami (3-4), Buffalo (3-5), Jacksonville (3-4). The playoffs aren’t happening.

Next, get rid of the Titans’ uniforms. You’re the New York Jets, not the Titans. Furthermore, the uniforms look hideous, and lack any sort of Jet identity. Wear your green and white and get a win.

Finally, two kickoffs returned for touchdowns by Ted Ginn Jr. on Sunday, one for 100 yards and the other for 101 yards. That’s all that needs to be said.

Look at the standings. Today’s game is a must-win for the Jets. The Patriots (5-2), Colts (6-0), Bengals (5-2), and Broncos (6-0) are all in first place in their respective divisions, and all have better records than the Jets (4-3). The Steelers (5-2) also have a better record than New York, and Houston has the same record. By that count, five teams are ahead of the Jets for playoff spots, and only six teams make the playoffs. You would expect Baltimore (3-3) to make a run as well, and maybe even the Chargers (3-3). The difference between being 5-3 and 4-4 is huge. You may need 11 wins to get into the playoffs. At the very least, you need 10.

That means the Jets must win today’s game against the Dolphins (2-4) at the Meadowlands. Miami has had two crushing losses this year. One to Indianapolis earlier in the season, then last week to the Saints at home, in a game where they led 24-3 in the first half, and 34-24 in the fourth quarter. How this young Dolphins’ team responds today will be interesting to see. Miami has already beaten the Jets this year, 31-27, three weeks ago on Monday Night Football. With Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, they can run the football. They also do a great job defending against the run. Chad Henne has been surprisingly solid at quarterback.

Meanwhile, the Jets return to the field after losing Leon Washington for the season last Sunday. Two weeks ago, they lost Kris Jenkins. So the Dolphins’ two-headed rushing attack, and Wildcat offense, will go up against a defense that’s missing it’s stud nose tackle. And Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene will try to run the ball against a Miami team that is ranked fourth in the league in run defense.

But this is a must-win and it is at home, the last time these two teams will meet at Giants Stadium, unless they somehow match up here in the playoffs. The Jets will have to run the ball and they’ll have to stop Miami’s run. Easier said than done. But I’m going with New York here, keeping their playoffs hope alive with a win over their division rival. Jets 27, Dolphins 23.