Plenty of people hand out game balls after the game. That’s easy. Watch the game, see who does well, give them the game ball. We’re doing something a little different. We’re handing out a pre-game ball. Before we watch the game, let’s settle on a player or players we think might be a decisive advantage for the Jets in the upcoming game. Occasionally we might hand out a pre-blame ball. If we think the Jets are going to get slaughtered, we’ll try to identify a prime culprit.
One caveat: the quarterback
is off limits. Nothing personal against quarterbacks, but they are obviously the most important players on the field. We could give out a pre-game or pre-blame ball to the quarterback virtually every week, but that would be boring, so we’re not going to do it. We’ll try to identify somebody besides the quarterback for the glory or the ignominy.
This approach comes with the obvious drawback that predictions are difficult, especially about the future. We’re destined to get many of these wrong. No matter. We’ll have some laughs along the way. Let’s get to it.
The pre-game ball for the Jets game against the Las Vegas Raiders goes to (drum roll please) – the offensive line!
The Raiders have struggled in run defense this season. They have allowed a league worst 5.0 yards per carry on the year. They have allowed an average of 143+ rushing yards per game, good for 31st in the NFL. The Raiders have allowed 165+ rushing yards in three of the last four games. In short, the Raiders’ run defense has been putrid.
The Jets have not run the ball particularly well this year. They have averaged less than 97 rushing yards per game, good for 24th in the NFL, and they have averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, good for 26th in the NFL. The Jets have done better lately, averaging 113 rushing yards over the last three games.
On Sunday the Jets will get guard Dylan Parham back in the lineup for the first time since game 3 of the season. With the full set of starting offensive linemen healthy and ready to go on Sunday, the Jets should be focused on running the ball against the Raiders’ very bad run defense. I don’t know who will be running the ball. Breece Hall may or may not suit up for this game. But whoever is running the ball, this is a game the Jets’ offensive line needs to dominate. Clear holes for the running backs consistently. Allow for long, grinding drives. Give Geno Smith time to throw. That’s how the Jets can win this game.
Jets offensive line, come on down! It’s time to live up to your pre-season billing against an opponent tailor made for your success. You get your opportunity on Sunday. Let’s see you dominate.
What about you? Who would you give the pre-game ball to? Let us know in the comments
