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This analysis of this Sunday's game is somewhat different and is prompted in part by the Jet fan forums that have declared the Saints as "soft" and the Jets as a "smash mouth" team. Those descriptions seem half right.
The Jets are certainly a smash mouth football team. They win with defense--the middle of their defense looks outstanding; emphasize pressure on the quarterback; and are certainly physical. On offense, their strength is their offensive line. Overall, they are substantially stronger in the trenches than Buffalo was. Their passing game is a work in progress with a rookie quarterback and their receivers as their weakest unit.
The Saints are not a "soft" team and are physical enough to win this Sunday and a championship--if they stay relatively healthy. But we are not a smash mouth team.
So what does this game remind you of? To me, this contest reminds me of the great contests between the Saints and San Francisco in the late 1980s and early 1990s when we had our Dome Patrol defense and San Francisco had more balance and finesse. Again, for me, it's 1990 or thereabouts: The Jets and Ryan are the Saints and Mora circa 1990, and the Saints and Payton are the 49ers and Walsh (though I am not after three games putting us on that Olympian level).
Incidentally, my prediction is Saints, 22-20. I like the Saints to win and the Jets to beat the spread (which apparently opened at Saints minus 4 and 1/2 and has surprisingly jumped to minus 6 or so). The Jets have a better offensive line and front seven than Buffalo. But we will be back at home where wind and a slippery field will not be concerns. It will be all about our offense establishing some rhythm, and the friendly confines of the Superdome certainly help.
The Jets are certainly a smash mouth football team. They win with defense--the middle of their defense looks outstanding; emphasize pressure on the quarterback; and are certainly physical. On offense, their strength is their offensive line. Overall, they are substantially stronger in the trenches than Buffalo was. Their passing game is a work in progress with a rookie quarterback and their receivers as their weakest unit.
The Saints are not a "soft" team and are physical enough to win this Sunday and a championship--if they stay relatively healthy. But we are not a smash mouth team.
So what does this game remind you of? To me, this contest reminds me of the great contests between the Saints and San Francisco in the late 1980s and early 1990s when we had our Dome Patrol defense and San Francisco had more balance and finesse. Again, for me, it's 1990 or thereabouts: The Jets and Ryan are the Saints and Mora circa 1990, and the Saints and Payton are the 49ers and Walsh (though I am not after three games putting us on that Olympian level).
Incidentally, my prediction is Saints, 22-20. I like the Saints to win and the Jets to beat the spread (which apparently opened at Saints minus 4 and 1/2 and has surprisingly jumped to minus 6 or so). The Jets have a better offensive line and front seven than Buffalo. But we will be back at home where wind and a slippery field will not be concerns. It will be all about our offense establishing some rhythm, and the friendly confines of the Superdome certainly help.