New York Jets at Atlanta Falcons Preview

By Jonathan Solomon | Saturday, October 22, 2005 | ( 0 )

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The Monday Night Football schedule took a turn for the worse when the New York Jets suffered major injury after major injury. This Monday night's game in Atlanta with the Jets taking on the Falcons has the makings of a big-time beat down. The Jets are 0-2 on the road in 2005 and Michael Vick will be back in the huddle after a lackluster game versus the Saints last week.

The New York Jets will continue to juggle their offensive line. When Kevin Mawae was announced as being out for the rest of the year with torn biceps, Pete Kendall was told he would be moved to center. Although it's not a foreign position for the lineman (he played center in Arizona for a number of years), it will be the first time in a couple of years that he'll be counted to be the king of the line. Tackles Jason Fabini and Adrian Jones have swapped spots due to the fact that Fabini is hurt but will continue to play. However, with all that said, Curtis Martin rushed for 148 yards against the Bills, his best game of the year.

The Atlanta Falcons won by the skin of their teeth against a bad New Orleans Saints team thanks to penalties, which cut a Saints potential tying field goal away. The leader of the defense, Keith Brooking has been moved to inside linebacker after free-agent Ed Hartwell was injured earlier in the year. Against the Deuce McAllister-less Saints, they allowed 211 rushing yards.

The Jets quarterback situation is in disarray with Vinny Testaverde at the helm. Jets wide receivers only have a single touchdown, which belongs to Laveranues Coles. The only hope for the Jets would be a strong outing from Curtis Martin. Even then, the Falcons would attack with all their might, Testaverde. In two games, Testaverde has four turnovers, three interceptions and a fumble.

Still, this will be Monday Night Football and every team plays with a special mentality when the world is watching. It will be an interesting match-up to see the Jets aggressive defense against Michael Vick. Players such as John Abraham, Shaun Ellis and Jonathan Vilma have never played opposite Vick. Most strategists believe the only way to stop Vick is to act aggressive with speed. That is exactly what the Jets are able to boast.

Any logical-minded football fan must put their chips on the Atlanta Falcons this week. However, if they play as sloppily as last week, the Jets could pull off the upset.

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