2012 New York Jets Predictions
Odds to win Super Bowl XLVII: 25-1

The Jets struggled last season on offense (ranked 25th overall), so they decided to sign Tim Tebow. Hello controversy. Tebow will start off as a backup quarterback/fullback/running back/wild cat-type. New offensive coordinator Tony Sparano will find a way to get Tebow involved, but he also has to keep Mark Sanchez’s confidence up. The Jets have more issues than just the quarterback position. They did pick up a raw but talented offensive weapon in the draft, with the selection of Stephen Hill from Georgia Tech.

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Offense:

Sanchez threw for 3,474 yards and completed just 56.7% with 26 TDs and 18 picks (78.2 qb rating). It wasn’t a banner season for Sanchez and now Tebow waits in the wings if he fails. Their passing offense ranked just 21st in the NFL, while the rushing offense ranked 22nd (3.8ypc). The Jets didn’t exactly address that situation in the offseason. They signed Chaz Shilens, a talented but oft-injured receiver from Oakland who can help some. Santonio Holmes (51 catches for 654 yds) is the number one receiver by default. Hill (6-4, 215) is big and fast but will need to transition from the triple-option to the NFL. Shonn Greene had a solid season with 1,054 yards and six TDs. (4.2ypc). He needs a compliment as LaDanian Tomlinson (280yds) was expected to retire. Joe McKnight (13 catches for for 139 yards) will be the third-down back. They drafted Baylor RB Terrance Ganaway (6-0, 239) from Baylor who will give the ground attack another bruiser. The offensive line is led by Eric Mangold (6-4, 307), one of the best centers in the game. LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson (6-6, 310) made his third straight Pro Bowl but struggled against speedy pass rushers. This is still a good line that is the strength of the offense.

Defense:

The defense has been the calling card of head coach Rex Ryan’s Jets since he took over four years ago. That is still the case as the Jets finished fifth in the NFL in yards allowed per game at 312.1 ypg. They were strong against the pass, but just 13th against the run. For the Jets to get back to the playoffs, they need to get more playmakers on the defensive side. They drafted Quinton Coples (6-6, 284), a big pass rusher from North Carolina, who is big enough to play 3-4 end. The Jets’ leading pass rusher last year was Aaron Maybin, a backup outside linebacker, who had six sacks, while Calvin Pace and Bart Scott added 4.5 each. Scott (6-2, 242) is aging, last year, recording 54 tackles last year. David Harris (6-2, 250) is the team’s best linebacker. Last year, he recorded 65 tackles with four picks. At outside linebacker, Pace (6-4, 265) and Bryan Thomas (6-4, 250) need to be more productive. The secondary lost SS Jim Leonhard to a season-ending knee injury in December and may not return. They added LeRon Landry (6-0, 220), a hard-hitter from Washington, who had 48 tackles last season but he’s limited in coverage. FS Eric Smith doesn’t make enough plays and isn’t very athletic. CB Darrelle Revis is the best corner in the game, who had 4 picks and 52 tackles last year. Antonio Cromartie is a very good number two corner, while Kyle Wilson was exploited some last year as a nickel corner.

Special Teams:

The Jets had a tough time returning kicks. Penalties and fumbles all contributed to their problems. Jeremy Kerley averaged 10.9 yards per punt return while Joe McKnight averaged a whopping 31.6ypg on kicks, including a 107-yard TD return. Nick Folk made his first 11 field goal attempts and then made 8 of his final 14, including costly misses against the Patriots and Giants. P T.J. Conley averaged 38.8 yards net but will see some competition against Travis Baltz.

Outlook:

Sanchez will struggle at some point in the season and Tebow will come in and lead the Jets to win some games. The locker room was divided last season over the “Sanchize’s” performance. This move can’t help team chemistry.

2012 Schedule:

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