According to a Yahoo! Sports report, the NFL had its usual array of intriguing storylines in 2011. From the emergence of Tim Tebow as the starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos, to the offseason lockout, to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning losing the season due to neck surgery, the media had plenty to talk about this year.

Some of the other top stories in the NFL this year were Aaron Rodgers’ emergence as one of the premier quarterbacks in the league, and the passing of the legendary Oakland Raiders owner, Al Davis. But here in New York, Rex Ryan’s weekly trash-talking and Mark Sanchez’s passing woes dominated much of the local headlines.

Here’s a look at the top five New York Jets stories of 2011:

Jets Beat Patriots, 28-21, In Instant Playoff Classic

Mark Sanchez completed 16 of 25 for 194 yards and three touchdowns to lead his team to a 28-21 win Jan. 16 over the AFC East rival New England Patriots in what Jets coach Rex Ryan called “the second biggest game in franchise history.”

The Jets were clicking on all cylinders, as Sanchez’s incredible performance was perhaps overshadowed by New York’s stellar defense, who intercepted Patriots quarterback Tom Brady once and methodically picked apart New England’s ground game. “We came here for a reason, we got the victory, and I couldn’t be happier,” said Rex Ryan after the game. “That’s a great football team, a great franchise, but we’re not afraid of anybody.”

Sal Alosi Resigns

Jets strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi made the boneheaded decision to trip Miami Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll while the rookie was returning a punt in the third quarter of a Jets-Dolphins game last season, and the trip would ultimately cost Alosi his job. Carroll immediately fell to the turf and was slow to get up after Alosi tripped him. “I made a mistake that showed a total lapse in judgment,” Alosi said in a statement released by the Jets about 2 1/2 hours after the game. “My conduct was inexcusable and unsportsmanlike and does not reflect what this organization stands for.”

Perhaps to avoid creating any lingering distractions, Alosi announced his resignation in January of 2011, just a few weeks after the tripping incident occurred . “After speaking with Sal, he decided that it is best for him to tender his resignation at this time,” said Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum. “We appreciate all of Sal’s contributions during his tenure with the team. He played an invaluable role in our success and established what we feel is one of the better strength and conditioning programs in the NFL.”

Jets Lose Ground-and-Pound Identity

Early in the 2011 season, the Jets got away from much of the rush-heavy attack that made them so successful in 2009 and 2010. In the season-opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Mark Sanchez threw 44 times while the team ran the ball just 16 times. “You’ve got to give Dallas credit, both schematically and in the personnel,” Ryan said following the game.

“Going into the game, we thought we were going to run the ball more than we did. Give credit to my brother [defensive coordinator Rob] and Dallas. They took that away from us.”And even in a Week 16 loss to the New York Giants, Sanchez attempted a career-high 59 passes. Any time Sanchez is allowed to throw that much is a recipe for disaster.

Nick Mangold and Jim Leonard Injuries Loom Large

The Jets haven’t won a game since losing starting safety Jim Leonard to a season-ending knee injury in the beginning of December. Just how important is Leonard to the Jets? New York linebacker Jamaal Westerman told ESPN that Leonard “is a calming influence in the back end. If you can look back there he’ll tell you where to line up. We really need him because with him we’re so much better than without him.” Losing starting center Nick Mangold for several games early this season was another key injury, as the Jets lost 34-17 to the Baltimore Ravens when he was sidelined.

LT Mulls Retirement

LaDainian Tomlinson’s comments to reporters prior to the New Year’s Day clash with the Miami Dolphins sounded cryptically like a retirement speech in the making. “There’s definitely a thought that this possibly could be [my last game] because you never know how things shake out,” the star running back said. “For me, it just depends on the situation. I’d like to keep playing but if the situation is not right, I won’t. It’s possible that this could be my last game.”

Eric Holden is a lifelong New York Jets fan. Follow him on Twitter @ericholden.

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Dolphins running game vs. Jets run defense: Reggie Bush’s incredible rebound year has seen him set career highs in rushing yards (1,086) and total yards (1,382), but it is in the month of December where Bush has played like an NFL elite back, with an astonishing 519 rushing yards on 83 carries (6.3 yards per run). Even with the offensive line being hobbled significantly by injury, Bush has had his way, primarily because of the emergence of quarterback Matt Moore and the deep passing game. The question is how affected Bush will be by the injury that sidelined him toward the end of the loss to the Patriots. EDGE: Jets

Dolphins passing game vs. Jets pass defense: Matt Moore is getting the hard part done, completing beautiful throws in the vertical passing game. What is holding him back are the more fundamental aspects of quarterbacking (the center snap exchange, taking bad sacks with plenty of time to throw the ball away). Still, Moore, if he goes without an interception Sunday, will end up with the fewest interceptions by a Dolphin in a stretch greater than eight games with only three in his final nine games, and he owns a 103.8 passer rating in his past eight starts. Brandon Marshall needs 149 receiving yards to set a career single-season high. EDGE: Dolphins

Jets running game vs. Dolphins run defense: The Dolphins, who two weeks ago had the club mark for fewest rushing yards allowed in a season as an attainable goal, have allowed 232 rushing yards since then, and need a season-best 28 yards allowed or fewer to break the mark of 1,430 yards that was established by the 1994 team. The Bills’ C.J. Spiller and the Patriots’ Stevan Ridley both have gotten to the edge with success following the Dolphins’ loss of outside backer Koa Misi to a shoulder injury against the Eagles. EDGE: Dolphins

Jets passing game vs. Dolphins pass defense: The Jets’ Mark Sanchez has been awful the past two weeks, throwing 85 times for only 408 yards (a putrid 4.8 yards per pass attempt), while getting sacked nine times, throwing four interceptions and losing two fumbles. Another poor performance may seal his fate and have the Jets turning to someone else for 2012. Tight end Dustin Keller was targeted 18 times on Christmas Eve. EDGE: Dolphins

Dolphins special teams vs. Jets special teams: Speedster Clyde Gates has figured out kick returning since Thanksgiving. Since then, the rookie has averaged 32.2 yards a return with two that were a sliver away from being touchdowns. Meanwhile, Brandon Fields picked an awful time to have two of his worst punts of the season in Foxboro on Saturday, smack in the middle of the Pats’ rally. EDGE: Dolphins

Intangibles: A 6-3 finish to get to 6-10 with an elimination of the Jets would provide some optimism headed into the 2012 offseason. Jason Taylor, the Miami Dolphins’ greatest defensive player, plays his final game on Sunday. Hopefully, he will eventually join Bill Walsh, Joe Montana and John Elway as Hall of Famers who played their final career games at the stadium in Miami Gardens. EDGE: Dolphins

Prediction: Dolphins 28, Jets 17

The Miami Dolphins appear to be limping into the season finale against the New York Jets.

Not only is Todd Bowles’ team going to be playing without Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long on Sunday – which makes John Jerry the man responsible for stopping Calvin Pace – but the Dolphins have a number of starters nursing significant injuries.

Starting tailback Reggie Bush was held out of Wednesday’s practice because of a right knee injury he suffered late last week’s loss to the Patriots. Bush is walking fine, and says he’s fine.

So the hope is that the team’s featured tailback, who has rushed for 1,086 this season, will practice later this week and be cleared to play.

Starting right tackle Marc Colombo missed Wednesday’s practice because of an ankle injury, but this 10-year veteran has sat out a number of Wednesday practices this season, and played on Sunday.

Inside linebacker Karlos Dansby missed Wednesday’s practice, but his absence wasn’t injury related.

Receivers Brandon Marshall (left knee) and Clyde Gates (groin) were limited. Marshall has been battling knee soreness for a couple of weeks but played through the pain.

Gates apparently re-aggravated a groin strain that sidelined him a few weeks in November. His status will be monitored.

Tailback Daniel Thomas, who suffered a knee injury against the patriots, wasn’t even on the injury report.

Starting cornerback Vontae Davis participated fully despite the elbow injury he suffered in last Saturday’s game.

Davis’ status will be critical considering he’ll probably be responsible for covering Jets receiver Santonio Holmes. The Dolphins also don’t have much depth at cornerback these days, especially since rookie Jimmy Wilson missed practice with a hamstring injury.

On the positive side…. tight end Anthony Fasano passed his NFL mandatory baseline concussion test and has been cleared to return to practice. He’ll likely play on Sunday unless he suffers a setback.

Fasano, a four-year starter, sat out last weekend’s 27-24 loss to the New England Patriots because of the concussion he suffered the previous week.

Fasano’s presence is critical against the Jets because New York’s aggressive 3-4 scheme struggles defending tight ends, especially in the red zone.

Fasano has contributed 22 catches for 237 yards, scoring four touchdowns in the eight games he’s played against the Jets.

Fasano needs 89 receiving yards to establish a career high. He has 440 receiving yards. Last year, he logged 528.

G.G.A.T.G.

The Philadelphia Eagles face the New York Jets in a Week 15 game on December 18. The Eagles still have an outside chance at reaching the playoffs so the game has meaning. But too much needs to happen for fans to worry about that. Instead, the goal should be to simply get a win at home. The Eagles only have one so far in 2011. As an Eagles fan, the team can win this game. Here are five keys to the game for the Eagles.

1. Establish the run

The Jets are pretty solid against the run. However, the Eagles have to utilize the running game if they want to win. LeSean McCoy didn’t play well against the Miami Dolphins but he is still the best player on this team. McCoy should get at least 20 carries in this game. If he does, the Eagles will move the football and control the clock.

2. Open up the passing game

It is no secret that the Jets have dominant cornerbacks. But that doesn’t mean the Eagles shouldn’t try to throw the ball deep. DeSean Jackson looks like he might have regained his desire and he looked good against Miami. As strong as New York is in the secondary, Jackson should be able to break away a couple of times. It will be important for Michael Vick to find him.

3. Protect the quarterback

The Eagles know that Vick is going to try and do too much and absorb too many hits. It is up to the offensive line to take some of that heat away but protecting better. The Jets don’t have an elite pass rush so that should help the line protect Vick. If the quarterback can stay in the pocket and deliver the ball in a timely fashion, the offensive line will have done its job.

4. Stay aggressive on defense

The Eagles got nine sacks and three turnovers against Miami. That is a pretty remarkable game and it is asking a lot to duplicate that effort two weeks in a row. But the Eagles can put together a strong performance if they stay aggressive. Mark Sanchez is vulnerable to mistakes and he will turn the ball over if the Eagles keep the heat on him. That could mean the difference between winning and losing.

5. Stay composed

The last time the Eagles played at home, fans started chanting for Andy Reid to be fired. If the Eagles play like they have in most of the home games this season, those chants will start again. This team has a tendency to stop playing when things don’t go well. That can’t happen in this game. If they fall behind early, they have to remain focused and composed.

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By Chris Celletti

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Dec 14, 2011 – Three straight wins, with some help from others around the National Football League, have launched the New York Jets into the final playoff spot with just three games left in the 2011 season. The goal is now crystal clear for Gang Green, win and in, and they really couldn’t have asked for much more when they were .500 having come off a brutal loss to the Denver Broncos. But the final three games for the Jets won’t be as easy as the past three, starting this week when they try to do something they haven’t done in the history of the franchise — beat the Philadelphia Eagles. The once-lauded “Dream Team” Eagles have stumbled to a 5-8 record, but looked quite good last week in dismantling the Miami Dolphins 26-10. They are still alive in the mediocre NFC East race, so they will be playing with desperation.

We’re also getting down to the nitty gritty of the fantasy football season, with playoffs in many leagues in full swing. If you have any Jets on your roster, here’s your primer on how to play them this week.

Start

RB – Shonn Greene – numberFire projection: 14.86 carries, 64.73 yards, 0.41 rushing TDs, 3.65 receptions, 25.66 rec. yards, 11.69 fantasy points

Greene has earned must-start status, finally, after his solid performances the past few weeks. Last week against the lifeless Kansas City Chiefs, Greene had his best overall day of the season, with 129 yards rushing (and a score) and 53 receiving yards. He’s improved leaps and bounds as a receiver out of the backfield, and I would expect the Jets to try more screens this week against an aggressive Eagles defense. It will also likely be a close game, meaning Greene will get a lot of touches.

QB – Mark Sanchez – numberFire projection: 17.35 completions, 202.12 yards, 1.00 TDs, 0.86 INTs, 12.61 fantasy points

Sanchez has been a solid fantasy quarterback this season. He’s thrown for 21 TDs against just 11 interceptions. He doesn’t put up huge yardage numbers, but the Jets are the NFL’s number one red zone team, so Sanchez is getting them in the end zone. He’s also been a threat rushing, as he has five run scores this season.

TE – Dustin Keller – numberFire projection: 3.71 receptions, 39.80 yards, 0.36 TDs, 6.14 fantasy points

The Jets have finally started to include Keller consistently in their game plan, and he’s received a lot of targets from Sanchez in the past few weeks. I would expect the Jets to be able to get Keller in mismatch situations against the Eagles and exploit them.

WR – Santonio Holmes – numberFire projection: 3.21 receptions, 55.13 yards, 0.30 TDs, 7.30 fantasy points

It’s been a statistically disappointing season for Holmes, who hasn’t had any real breakout games. I’m not sure if one will come this week going up against a talented Eagles’ secondary, but he has touchdown catches in three consecutive games. Hopefully that streak continues this week.

Sit

WR – Plaxico Burress – numberFire projection: 3.98 receptions, 47.76 yards, 0.26 TDs, 6.43 fantasy points

Burress had no catches last week against Kansas City, so its hard to say he should be an automatic start against the Eagles, who have a talented secondary. Maybe Burress is wearing down a bit late in the year after not playing football for two years prior to this season.

Jets Defense/Special Teams – numberFire projection: 20.22 points allowed, 2.74 sacks, 2.16 turnovers, 8.99 fantasy points

NumberFire seems to really like the Jets this week, ranking them as the number four projected defense. I have my reservations, as the Jets’ aren’t equipped to matchup with fast teams. I don’t think the Jets defense gets shredded, but I don’t think it’s a banner day, either.

Read More: Santonio Holmes (WR – NYJ), Plaxico Burress (WR – NYJ), Dustin Keller (TE – NYJ), Shonn Greene (RB – NYJ), Mark Sanchez (QB – NYJ), Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos

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