Jets at Buccaneers Line

Written by Hector Garza

Tampa Bay (1-11) has lost four straight since their 38-28 win against Green Bay, and the New York Jets (6-6) will be looking to make it five in a row as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive in the AFC East. The Jets are riding a two game winning streak, their latest coming in a 19-13 win against Buffalo where starting QB Mark Sanchez left the game with an apparent knee injury. This week our NFL spreads have the Jets as the 4 point favorites. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. et at Tampa Bay.

Head coach Rex Ryan is optimistic that Sanchez will be starting, but if he can’t go Kellen Clemens will take over as play caller. It’s tough to gauge how he’ll do as he’s only 1-3 passing on the year. The offense revolves around a strong running game, where Thomas Jones leads all backs with 1068 yards on 239 attempts. He’s found the endzone nine times and boasts a 4.5 ypc average without losing a fumble. Jerricho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards are always a deep threat and demand respect from any secondary. The defense is playing well this year and is currently ranked 4th with 17.3 ppg and 2nd in overall yardage allowing a stingy 276.4 ypg. CB Darrelle Revis is one of the league’s premier shut down men with five interceptions, and did a great job in limiting Terrell Owens to three receptions for 31 yards in the win last week.

Tampa Bay has had many troubles this year, one of them being their inability to score points. They’re currently 29th in the league with 15.6 ppg and are averaging a measly 291 ypg of offense. Rookie QB Josh Freeman has been thrown into the fire and thrown for a respectable 185.7 ypg, but has ten interceptions to seven td’s, with five of those coming in the loss to Carolina last week. Carnell Williams has been getting the majority of the carries garnering 572 yards and three scores while splitting time with Derrick Ward. Most teams have figured out the major threat receiving is the tight end. Kellen Winslow has 58 receptions, which is more than the next two receivers combined, and accounts for five td’s. While the offense has struggled, the defense has played even worse. They’re giving up 365.8 ypg and a 27.5 ppg, which is second to last in the league. They have tallied 13 interceptions as a unit but they’re getting gashed in the ground game, which allows opponents to control the clock and has contributed to their eleven losses.

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