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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LANDOVER, Md. — Another shaky performance for three quarters by Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets. And then, another fourth-quarter comeback.

Sanchez hit Santonio Holmes for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 4:49 to play Sunday, and Shonn Greene added a pair of insurance scores to give the Jets a 34-19 win over the Washington Redskins, keeping New York in the realistic hunt for an AFC playoff berth

It was Sanchez’s 10th career fourth-quarter comeback or overtime victory, including the playoffs, and his second in as many weeks. The Jets (7-5) scraped by the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, the first step in the team’s stated mission to win out and make the postseason for a third straight year.

But the playoff surge machine again looked more like a combustion engine missing a few spark plugs as coach Rex Ryan’s team pulled off another mistake-filled win. New York had only 168 total yards after three quarters, committed untimely penalties and had another special teams turnover against the Redskins (4-8), who have lost seven of eight.

Sanchez completed 19 of 32 passes for 165 yards and avoided throwing an interception after having at least one in five straight games. Greene ran for 88 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries.

Rex Grossman hit 19 of 46 passes for 221 yards and one interception for the Redskins, and his fumble while being sacked by Aaron Maybin deep in his own territory with the score 20-16 thwarted his own chance for a fourth-quarter comeback. Calvin Pace recovered, and Greene took a direct snap and scored on a 9-yard run two plays later to give the Jets an 11-point lead.

Graham Gano’s fourth field goal, a 43-yarder with 1:59 to play, pulled the Redskins within eight. Washington then failed to recover an onside kick, and Greene scooted in from 25 yards with 1:47 remaining.

The Jets trailed 16-13 after Gano’s 46-yard field goal with 7:52 to go, but a short kickoff was returned by Josh Baker near midfield. Sanchez and the New York offense then came back to life, with the quarterback scrambling to avoid pressure before completing a 10-yard pass to Greene on a third-and-4 two plays before the big throw to Holmes down the left sideline.

Both offenses started strong. After failing to score a touchdown on their opening drive in any of their first 10 games, the Redskins got one for the second straight week. A 42-yard pass to Fred Davis (99 yards on six catches) led to a 2-yard run by rookie Roy Helu, who rushed for 100 yards for the second straight week.

The Jets responded with a real clock-eater: 17 plays, 74 yards over 9:06, including three wildcat plays and a fourth-and-1 conversion. LaDainian Tomlinson was hurt along the way, apparently reinjuring his left knee on a tackle-from-behind by safety Oshiomogho Atogwe. Tomlinson missed the previous two games with an ailing left knee and didn’t start the game. Greene finished the drive a 1-yard touchdown run.

After the teams traded field goals, rookie Jeremy Kerley muffed a punt deep in New York territory and the Redskins recovered — the NFL-high sixth special teams turnover committed by the Jets this season. It set up another field goal by Gano to give Washington a 13-10 lead at the half.

Jim Leonhard, replacing Kerley as the return man, ran back a punt 14 yards in the third quarter to get the Jets in Washington territory. Nick Folk then tied it at 13 with a season-high 51-yard field goal.

The Jets had a chance to take the lead after forcing Helu to fumble — a call that needed a replay challenge by Ryan. New York took over at Washington’s 29 but went nowhere, and Folk pushed a 40-yard field-goal attempt wide right.

LANDOVER, Md. — Another shaky performance for three quarters by Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets. And then, another fourth-quarter comeback.

Sanchez hit Santonio Holmes for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 4:49 to play Sunday, and Shonn Greene added a pair of insurance scores to give the Jets a 34-19 win over the Washington Redskins, keeping New York in the realistic hunt for an AFC playoff berth

It was Sanchez’s 10th career fourth-quarter comeback or overtime victory, including the playoffs, and his second in as many weeks. The Jets (7-5) scraped by the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, the first step in the team’s stated mission to win out and make the postseason for a third straight year.

But the playoff surge machine again looked more like a combustion engine missing a few spark plugs as coach Rex Ryan’s team pulled off another mistake-filled win. New York had only 168 total yards after three quarters, committed untimely penalties and had another special teams turnover against the Redskins (4-8), who have lost seven of eight.

Sanchez completed 19 of 32 passes for 165 yards and avoided throwing an interception after having at least one in five straight games. Greene ran for 88 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries.

Rex Grossman hit 19 of 46 passes for 221 yards and one interception for the Redskins, and his fumble while being sacked by Aaron Maybin deep in his own territory with the score 20-16 thwarted his own chance for a fourth-quarter comeback. Calvin Pace recovered, and Greene took a direct snap and scored on a 9-yard run two plays later to give the Jets an 11-point lead.

Graham Gano’s fourth field goal, a 43-yarder with 1:59 to play, pulled the Redskins within eight. Washington then failed to recover an onside kick, and Greene scooted in from 25 yards with 1:47 remaining.

The Jets trailed 16-13 after Gano’s 46-yard field goal with 7:52 to go, but a short kickoff was returned by Josh Baker near midfield. Sanchez and the New York offense then came back to life, with the quarterback scrambling to avoid pressure before completing a 10-yard pass to Greene on a third-and-4 two plays before the big throw to Holmes down the left sideline.

Both offenses started strong. After failing to score a touchdown on their opening drive in any of their first 10 games, the Redskins got one for the second straight week. A 42-yard pass to Fred Davis (99 yards on six catches) led to a 2-yard run by rookie Roy Helu, who rushed for 100 yards for the second straight week.

The Jets responded with a real clock-eater: 17 plays, 74 yards over 9:06, including three wildcat plays and a fourth-and-1 conversion. LaDainian Tomlinson was hurt along the way, apparently reinjuring his left knee on a tackle-from-behind by safety Oshiomogho Atogwe. Tomlinson missed the previous two games with an ailing left knee and didn’t start the game. Greene finished the drive a 1-yard touchdown run.

After the teams traded field goals, rookie Jeremy Kerley muffed a punt deep in New York territory and the Redskins recovered – the NFL-high sixth special teams turnover committed by the Jets this season. It set up another field goal by Gano to give Washington a 13-10 lead at the half.

Jim Leonhard, replacing Kerley as the return man, ran back a punt 14 yards in the third quarter to get the Jets in Washington territory. Nick Folk then tied it at 13 with a season-high 51-yard field goal.

The Jets had a chance to take the lead after forcing Helu to fumble – a call that needed a replay challenge by Ryan. New York took over at Washington’s 29 but went nowhere, and Folk pushed a 40-yard field-goal attempt wide right.

___

Though the New York Jets are very much alive for a playoff spot in the AFC,
they know their overall play must improve in order for them to actually reach
the postseason.

Looking to build off a much-needed victory, the Jets try for some rare
success against the Washington Redskins on Sunday at FedEx Field.

New York (6-5) avoided a third consecutive loss by rallying for a 28-24 home
win over Buffalo last Sunday. Though the victory was far from pretty, the result
left the Jets two games behind AFC East leader New England and tied with Denver
and Tennessee, all one game out of the final playoff spot in the conference.

Still, the Jets don’t appear to have the look of a team that can once again
contend for a conference title.

Mark Sanchez(notes) threw a career-high four touchdowns but only completed 48.6
percent of his passes for 180 yards. The defense, meanwhile, yielded a 90-yard
touchdown drive earlier in the game and nearly allowed the Bills to march down
the field on the final drive in which a wide-open Stevie Johnson(notes) dropped a
catchable pass and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick(notes) failed to connect with the
receiver two other times to help the Jets clinch the victory.

“We have to keep improving, there’s no question,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said.
“We’re not going to win and we’re not going to reach our goal if we don’t get
better. But we definitely plan on getting better.”

While Ryan knows there are strides to be made, he’s getting tired of hearing
the Jets have been more lucky than good this season. Last weekend’s victory
marked New York’s third fourth-quarter comeback in 2011.

“It is funny how if we make a mistake, we’re horrible and it’s, `Oh, they’re
terrible,”’ Ryan said. “That could be bad luck there, too. But if we make a
play, it’s, `Oh, we’re just lucky.’ So, maybe it’s the green (team colors). I
don’t know. I hope karma is with us. I hope we continue to be lucky, and we’ll
take that.

“The old saying, `I’d rather be lucky than good.’ I’d rather be both, and I
think we are.”

Sanchez may be both.

Though the third-year quarterback had another mediocre statistical day
versus Buffalo, he managed to get his team into the end zone. He also hit
Plaxico Burress(notes), who made a one-handed grab for 18 yards, to convert on
third-and-11 to set up the 16-yard winning TD pass to Santonio Holmes(notes) with 1:01
remaining.

“Honestly, it sounds crazy, but things are looking good,” said Sanchez,
who threw two touchdowns and four interceptions in his previous three games.
“I’m just feeling more and more comfortable. It’s not showing quite yet, but I
know it will. We’re right there.”

Burress has caught 11 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns over the last
three games. He had 10 receptions for 133 yards in his last game against
Washington while with the New York Giants in 2008.

The Jets hope the momentum they earned from last weekend’s victory will help
them improve on their 1-8 all-time record versus Washington. New York has lost
four in a row to the Redskins dating to their only win, 3-0 on Dec. 11, 1993.
This is the teams’ first meeting since Washington’s 23-20 overtime road victory
in 2007.

Washington (4-7) returns home after snapping a six-game skid with a 23-17
win at Seattle last Sunday. Like the Jets, the Redskins also needed a
fourth-quarter comeback, overcoming a 10-point deficit to score the game’s final
16 points.

“That’s what you’re in this game to do, is to win,” Washington coach Mike
Shanahan said. “But at the same time, when you’re around a football team that’s
giving you everything they’ve got, you feel good.

“That’s why I feel good about the character of this football team, and it
was nice to find a way to win because they deserved to win. Our players have
been working extremely hard, and hopefully we can keep it going.”

Rex Grossman(notes) set season highs by completing 73.4 percent of his passes for
314 yards. His 50-yard TD pass to Anthony Armstrong(notes) with 6:18 left in the fourth
quarter gave Washington the lead for good.

Rookie Roy Helu(notes) solidified himself as the Redskins’ starting running back at
least for one more week after he ran for a career-high 108 yards with a
touchdown on 23 carries and caught seven passes for 54 yards.

“He’s our starter, for sure,” Shanahan said.

Washington, which won two straight games to open the season, has dropped its
last three against AFC East opponents since beating the Jets in 2007.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — A sense of urgency is driving the struggling Buffalo Bills and New York Jets these days.

Mounting losses. Injuries. Fading playoff chances.

They’ve all combined to turn a pair of promising teams that once appeared poised to dethrone the New England Patriots in the AFC East into scuffling squads desperate for a victory.

“It’s a must-win game for us,” Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes said. “We know what’s at stake right now. We have to come out firing just like we did against these guys the last game we played them.”

The Jets (5-5) host the Bills (5-5) at MetLife Stadium in a game New York coach Rex Ryan said marks the start of his team’s playoff push. It was only three weeks ago that the Jets won their third straight game by dominating the Bills 27-11.

Neither team has won since. Two bad losses by New York; three straight for Buffalo.

“They’ve been in a little slump, as well as we have,” Holmes said. “We know it’s another game on the schedule and they get paid just as well as we do, so they’re going to be ready to come out and put a real good stamp into our playoff chances right now. So we have to be on high alert right now.”

That’s for sure. But, so do the Bills. As far as both teams are concerned, their playoff chances depend on it.

“I think especially the last (few) weeks have been hard on us,” Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. “The biggest thing for us is we’ve really fallen down early, fallen behind and taken big deficits. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to come back from those.”

Fitzpatrick’s play has been one reason. Since signing a six-year, $59 million contract extension Oct. 28, he has mostly struggled with four touchdowns and eight interceptions in four games after a terrific start. In Buffalo’s past three losses, the Bills have been outscored 106-26 — including a 35-8 thrashing at Miami last Sunday.

“Well, we’re not playing the way we were playing earlier in the season and it’s not necessarily (Fitzpatrick), even though I think he believes he can play a little bit better than he has been playing,” Bills coach Chan Gailey said. “But we can all do better, every one of us can, me included. I watch him play and it seems like we’ve had a different offensive line in there each week for the last three or four weeks and it seems like we’ve had different receivers going out there each week, so it’s been hard on him.”

There will be some more of the same lineup-shuffling this week for the Bills as running back Fred Jackson, their biggest offensive star, was placed on injured reserve with a broken bone in his lower left leg. That means the speedy C.J. Spiller will get more playing time in the backfield instead of at wide receiver, where he has been lined up a lot this season.

“We lost a great player, but this season’s far from over,” Spiller said. “I’ve just got to elevate my game to a higher level. I’ve got to play at kind of a level that Fred was playing at. Of course, we won’t replace him, that’s obvious. So we’ll just have to try our best and go out there and execute.”

Andy Levitre struggled to replace the injured Eric Wood at center, so Kraig Urbik will be moved to center this week while Levitre slides back to his normal left guard position. Starting cornerback Terrence McGee and wide receiver Donald Jones were placed on injured reserve because of injuries, and starting safety George Wilson (safety), wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt (shoulder) and kicker Rian Lindell (shoulder) are sidelined for the game against the Jets.

“We’ve had a good amount of guys go down, but to be honest, the way that this team is structured, a lot of the guys that have gotten the chance to play and to prove themselves had to do it by waiting their turn in line,” Fitzpatrick said, trying to put a positive spin on things. “A lot of young guys that are hungry and ready to get out there are really looking forward to the opportunity.”

The Jets are a significantly healthier bunch than the Bills, but running back LaDainian Tomlinson and rookie wide receiver Jeremy Kerley were both questionable with sore left knees that kept them out of New York’s last game.

Both are understandably itching to play, especially with how important the team considers today’s game. The Jets are in the middle of a muddled AFC playoff picture, but have some winnable games on the schedule — starting with this one.

“If we win the rest of our games, we’ll be fine,” linebacker Calvin Pace said. “I think that’s the mindset we have to have going in. Stop putting ourselves in a hole, hoping somebody kind of slips up.”

They’re in this position again, as it seems they are every year under Ryan, where they need to play their best football down the stretch just to get into the playoffs.

“That’s the story of our seasons these past three years,” Pace said. “We’ve had to make these miraculous pushes at the end when it should’ve never come to that.”

After all, finishing 5-1 and 10-6 overall might not be good enough this season.

“Six-and-oh,” Pace said of the team’s goal. “Sometimes when you get caught losing to teams you’re not supposed to lose to, you end up kicking yourself in the (butt) saying, ‘Man, we put ourselves behind the 8-ball. These are games we should win.’”

The Jets are still trying to get over letting one slip by them Nov. 17, when Tim Tebow drove the Broncos 95 yards for the winning touchdown. The defense insists it’ll be better, as does the offense with a fired-up quarterback, Mark Sanchez, whom Ryan took a few snaps from in practice as a motivational ploy — which worked last season.

Both the Jets and Bills know if they lose this game, the focus suddenly will be on looking ahead to next season rather than finishing in the playoffs.

“Whether people believe about the Jets on the outside or not, we believe in ourselves, and we’re going down swinging,” Ryan said. “If we go down, we’re going down swinging. But we think that we have a good enough team to where we can right the ship and get back to winning and get in those playoffs. That’s what it’s all about.”

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – A sense of urgency is driving the struggling Buffalo Bills and New York Jets these days.

Mounting losses. Injuries. Fading playoff chances.

They’ve all combined to turn a pair of promising teams that once appeared poised to dethrone the New England Patriots in the AFC East into scuffling squads desperate for a victory.

“It’s a must-win game for us,” Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes said. “We know what’s at stake right now. We have to come out firing just like we did against these guys the last game we played them.”

The Jets (5-5) host the Bills (5-5) at MetLife Stadium in a game New York coach Rex Ryan said marks the start of his team’s playoff push. It was only three weeks ago that the Jets won their third straight game by dominating the Bills 27-11.

Neither team has won since. Two bad losses by New York; three straight for Buffalo.

“They’ve been in a little slump as well as we have,” Holmes said. “We know it’s another game on the schedule and they get paid just as well as we do, so they’re going to be ready to come out and put a real good stamp into our playoff chances right now. So we have to be on high alert right now.”

That’s for sure. But, so do the Bills. As far as both teams are concerned, their playoff chances depend on it.

“I think especially the last (few) weeks have been hard on us,” Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. “The biggest thing for us is we’ve really fallen down early, fallen behind and taken big deficits. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to come back from those.”

Fitzpatrick’s play has been one reason. Since signing a six-year, US$59 million contract extension on Oct. 28, he has mostly struggled with four touchdowns and eight interceptions in four games following a terrific start. In Buffalo’s last three losses, the Bills have been outscored 106-26 — including a 35-8 thrashing at Miami last Sunday.

“Well we’re not playing the way we were playing earlier in the season and it’s not necessarily (Fitzpatrick), even though I think he believes he can play a little bit better than he has been playing,” Bills coach Chan Gailey said. “But we can all do better, every one of us can, me included. I watch him play and it seems like we’ve had a different offensive line in there each week for the last three or four weeks and it seems like we’ve had different receivers going out there each week, so it’s been hard on him.”

There will be some more of the same lineup shuffling this week for the Bills as running back Fred Jackson, their biggest offensive star, was placed on injured reserve with a broken bone in his lower left leg. That means the speedy C.J. Spiller will get more playing time in the backfield instead at wide receiver, where he has been lined up a lot this season.

“We lost a great player, but this season’s far from over,” Spiller said. “I’ve just got to elevate my game to a higher level. I’ve got to play at kind of a level that Fred was playing at. Of course, we won’t replace him, that’s obvious. So we’ll just have to try our best and go out there and execute.”

Andy Levitre struggled to replace the injured Eric Wood at centre, so Kraig Urbik will be moved to centre this week while Levitre slides back to his normal left guard position. Starting cornerback Terrence McGee and wide receiver Donald Jones were placed on injured reserve because of injuries, and starting safety George Wilson (safety), wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt (shoulder) and kicker Rian Lindell (shoulder) are sidelined for the game against the Jets.

“We’ve had a good amount of guys go down, but to be honest, the way that this team is structured a lot of the guys that have gotten the chance to play and to prove themselves had to do it by waiting their turn in line,” Fitzpatrick said, trying to put a positive spin on things. “A lot of young guys that are hungry and ready to get out there are really looking forward to the opportunity.”

The Jets are a significantly healthier bunch than the Bills, but running back LaDainian Tomlinson and rookie wide receiver Jeremy Kerley were both questionable with sore left knees that kept them out of New York’s last game.

Both are understandably itching to play, especially with how important the team considers this game Sunday. The Jets are in the middle of a muddled AFC playoff picture, but have some winnable games on the schedule — starting with this one against Buffalo.

“If we win the rest of our games, we’ll be fine,” linebacker Calvin Pace said. “I think that’s the mindset we have to have going in. Stop putting ourselves in a hole, hoping somebody kind of slips up.”

They’re in this position again, as it seems they are every year under Ryan, where they need to play their best football down the stretch just to get into the playoffs.

“That’s the story of our seasons these past three years,” Pace said. “We’ve had to make these miraculous pushes at the end when it should’ve never come to that.”

After all, finishing 5-1 and 10-6 overall might not be good enough this season.

“Six-and-oh,” Pace said of the team’s goal. “Sometimes when you get caught losing to teams you’re not supposed to lose to, you end up kicking yourself in the (butt) saying, ‘Man, we put ourselves behind the 8-ball. These are games we should win.’”

The Jets are still trying to get over letting one slip by them last Thursday night, when Tim Tebow drove the Broncos 95 yards for the winning touchdown. The defence insists it’ll be better, as does the offence with a fired-up quarterback Mark Sanchez, whom Ryan took a few snaps in practice from as a motivational ploy — which worked last season.

Both the Jets and Bills know if they lose this game, the focus will suddenly be on looking ahead to next season rather than finishing in the playoffs.

“Whether people believe about the Jets on the outside or not, we believe in ourselves, and we’re going down swinging,” Ryan said. “If we go down, we’re going down swinging. But we think that we have a good enough team to where we can right the ship and get back to winning and get in those playoffs. That’s what it’s all about.”

Note: The opinions expressed here are my takes on each player’s individual matchup. As always, use your best judgment and conduct your own research on who to start or bench each week. You know your individual team and/or league situation better than anyone else.

Mark Sanchez(notes), QB

The problem with Sanchez from a fantasy perspective is his game is either on or off. There is often no in-between. Sanchez had another “off” game last week against the Denver Broncos scoring only 9.08 fantasy points. He will have a chance to redeem himself this week as he faces off against the struggling Buffalo Bills. Buffalo is giving up 17.84 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks allowing me to believe an improved performance is in store. Coach Rex Ryan has also been allowing backup quarterback Mark Brunell(notes) to get some reps with the first team offense to show Sanchez he needs to improve quickly.

Shonn Greene(notes), RB

Despite the recent rib injury Green is expected to play this Sunday against the Bills. Buffalo is allowing 21.98 fantasy points per game to running backs this season, however Green scored only 7.60 fantasy points when the two teams met in week nine. Expect Green to get the majority of touches with backups LaDainian Tomlinson(notes) and Bilal Powell(notes) still not practicing due to injury.

Plaxico Burress(notes), WR

Averaging 8.70 fantasy points per game, Burress is a solid fantasy receiving option. He scored 7.90 fantasy points when the New York Jets last faced the Bills and looks to have a similar matchup this time around. Buffalo is allowing 22.58 points per game to wide receivers this season giving me confidence he will have another solid performance this week as well.

Santonio Holmes(notes), WR

While Holmes is traditionally a solid fantasy performer he has been struggling with consistency this season. He scored only 3.90 fantasy points last week against the Broncos but had a solid 8.90 fantasy point game in week nine against the Bills. With the same favorable matchup as Burress, expect a similar performance to week nine this week.

Dustin Keller(notes), TE

Keller is a good tight end option for deeper leagues this week but there are far better performers for standard leagues. He scored just 4.00 fantasy points last week against Denver but had a 6.40 fantasy point game against Buffalo in week nine. The Bills are allowing 7.97 fantasy points per game to tight ends this season giving me confidence he will have a typical game for him this week.

Nick Folk(notes), K

What concerns me most about Folk is he has missed four of his last seven field goal attempts. He had a solid 8.00 fantasy point game against the Broncos last week and earned 12.00 fantasy points against the Bills in week nine. Buffalo is allowing 7.20 fantasy points per game to kickers this season proving that despite the concerns, he should be a safe bet this week.

Defense

Averaging 11.00 fantasy points per game, the Jets have one of the top team defenses in fantasy football. They scored 10.00 fantasy points against the Bills in week nine and face a Buffalo team whose offense is a complete mess at the moment. Look for a strong performance this week.

Sources:

All data provided by Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football

Paul Rados is an avid fantasy football participant and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook. For a complete look at his freelance work please visit his Blog.

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“J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets!! Jets!!!” This is what every person yells who bleeds green and white on a football day or night because they know the New York Jets are in their flight mode, or as Santonio Holmes likes to say, ‘Tone Time,’ ready to win this game so they’re a step closer holding the Lamordi Trophy. Because everyone knows, when a team holds the Lombardi Trophy, they have every right to say they were the best in the world that year. Yes, the Jets deserve to say that!

I’m definitely not the one who is going to talk bad about the NY Jets because I believe they are strong, tough, fun trash-talkers, intelligent nice guys who all need a Super Bowl ring and many more. The flight boys can make some mistakes every now and again but making mistakes helps people learn to make better choices on and off the field.

The offense is coming together in ways that we may not always have to count on defense to win games. No one really talks about quarterback Mark Sanchez’s weapons, so I will! He goes from wide receivers Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes to Jeremy Kerley, then to his tight end number 81, Dustin Keller (remember this name!) and if he wants to run the ball, running backs Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson are there backing him up. While Sanchez is busy throwing the ball, he has the best center, Nick Mangold, leading the offensive line.

When I watch the Jets offense, it gives me the idea that if I put my mind to something, the end results will be fantastic. Touchdown! The Jets defense, though, teaches me to never give up and be tough.

Where should I even begin with their defense? Rex Ryan had made comments about how it would be sweet if his defense were better than the 85 Chicago Bears defense. But 26 years from now, people will want their team to be like the 2011 Jets defense. When I finally own a NFL team in my future, I would want it so bad; I might beg linebackers Bart Scott, David Harris cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis to be on my team.

I love number 51 on defense, Aaron Maybin. He is a role model that people should look up to. He dealt with some personal issues in football and out of football by being labeled as a burst to losing a child. To escape from problems, he draws. He doesn’t cause issues and I think doesn’t want to be a part of any problems unless it involves hitting the quarterback.

Also, Eric Smith and Jim Leonhard are the best safeties in the league. I mean, they would never let a rookie catch a touchdown pass; cough cough, Troy Polamalu.

But one thing I want to tell everyone, including New England Patriot fans: Just because your team won against the Jets before does not mean you guys are the best football team ever and the Jets suck. It means you were better that day. Repeat this in your head a couple of times!

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Tom Brady‘s late touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski gave the New England Patriots a 13-9 halftime lead over the New York Jets on Sunday night in an AFC East showdown.

With Buffalo losing earlier in the day, the winner will have sole possession of the top spot in the AFC East. All three teams entered Sunday at 5-3, with the Jets having won three in a row and the Patriots dropping their past two.

New York also is undefeated at home in four games.

The second quarter was filled with mistakes by both offenses, along with some pretty staunch defense, something the Patriots have not been known for this season. They had three sacks in the half, two by veteran Andre Carter.

But the Jets got points out of one of their rare pressures on Brady. Linebacker Jamaal Westerman got to Brady in the end zone and the reigning league MVP threw the ball away left-handed. Brady was called for grounding and a safety.

New York took the free kick and moved 65 yards on seven plays, including a 21-yard run by LaDainian Tomlinson and the first catch of the season by Patrick Turner, good for 22 yards. Mark Sanchez ran in from the 2 on a quarterback draw for a 9-6 lead.

Back came the Patriots after New York opted not to try a pooch kickoff following a 15-yard penalty on New England‘s Vince Wilfork, and Nick Folk kicked the ball through the end zone. Brady hit five passes on an 80-yard drive, with Gronkowski getting open over the middle for the 18-yard score with 9 seconds left in the half.

New England lost top cornerback Devin McCourty midway in the second quarter after he collided with teammate Sterling Moore. He walked to the sideline appearing dazed and holding his right shoulder stiffly against his body. McCourty then went to the locker room.

Jets coach Rex Ryan called the prime-time meeting “a great opportunity.” His team did not seize it in the opening 15 minutes, but did better after that, only to trail after two quarters.

Stephen Gostkowski kicked a pair of field goals and New England’s maligned defense came up with two sacks by Carter for a 6-0 edge after one quarter.

Ignoring their ground-and-pound philosophy, the Jets went to the air on the first series, and completions of 16 and 27 yards to Santonio Holmes helped them get deep in New England territory. But they couldn’t score from the 9 and Folk missed a 24-yard field goal to the left.

An ominous sign against the Patriots, and Brady went right to work. Completions of 12 yards to Aaron Hernandez, 21 to Gronkowski — Brady loves those tight ends — and 12 to Chad Ochocinco got them in field goal range. Gostkowski did what Folk couldn’t, squeezing his 50-yarder just over the crossbar for a 3-0 lead.

Ochocinco’s catch was his first in a month; his last was against the Jets on Oct. 9 in a Patriots victory.

Sanchez overthrew a wide-open Dustin Keller on the next Jets possession, then was sacked by Carter, forcing a punt and quieting the crowd. The fans were nearly silent when Ochocinco broke free behind star cornerback Darrelle Revis — the Jets appeared confused in their alignment — and gained 53 yards on a throw from Brady.

Again, the Patriots stalled and Gostkowski made it 6-0 with a 36-yarder.

Carter got his second sack on the final play of the first period.

For star power, the Patriots went with Jon Bon Jovi as the team’s guest, while the Jets welcomed Donald Trump.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Stephen Gostkowski kicked a pair of field goals and New England’s maligned defense came up with two sacks by Andre Carter to lead the New York Jets 6-0 through one quarter of their AFC East showdown Sunday night.

Jets coach Rex Ryan called the prime-time meeting “a great opportunity.” His team did not seize it in the opening 15 minutes.

With Buffalo losing earlier in the day, the winner will have sole possession of the top spot in the AFC East. All three teams entered Sunday at 5-3, with the Jets having won three in a row and the Patriots dropping their past two.

New York also is undefeated at home in four games.

Ignoring their ground-and-pound philosophy, the Jets went to the air on the first series, and completions of 16 and 27 yards to Santonio Holmes helped them get deep in New England territory. But they couldn’t score from the 9 and Nick Folk missed a chip-shot 24-yard field goal to the left.

An ominous sign against the Patriots, and Tom Brady went right to work. Completions of 12 yards to Aaron Hernandez, 21 to Rob Gronkowski — Brady loves those tight ends — and 12 to Chad Ochocinco got them in field goal range. Gostkowski did what Folk couldn’t, squeezing his 50-yarder just through the uprights for a 3-0 lead.

Ochocinco’s catch was his first in a month; his last was against the Jets on Oct. 9 in a Patriots victory.

Sanchez overthrew a wide-open Dustin Keller on the next Jets possession, then was sacked by Carter, forcing a punt and quieting the crowd. The fans were nearly silent when Ochocinco broke free behind star cornerback Darrelle Revis — the Jets appeared confused in their alignment — and gained 53 yards on a throw from Brady.

Again, the Patriots stalled and Gostkowski made it 6-0 with a 36-yarder.

Carter got his second sack on the final play of the first period.

For star power, the Patriots went with Jon Bon Jovi as the team’s guest, while the Jets welcomed Donald Trump.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Stephen Gostkowski kicked a pair of field goals and New England‘s maligned defense came up with two sacks by Andre Carter to lead the New York Jets 6-0 through one quarter of their AFC East showdown Sunday night.

Jets coach Rex Ryan called the prime-time meeting “a great opportunity.” His team did not seize it in the opening 15 minutes.

With Buffalo losing earlier in the day, the winner will have sole possession of the top spot in the AFC East. All three teams entered Sunday at 5-3, with the Jets having won three in a row and the Patriots dropping their past two.

New York also is undefeated at home in four games.

Ignoring their ground-and-pound philosophy, the Jets went to the air on the first series, and completions of 16 and 27 yards to Santonio Holmes helped them get deep in New England territory. But they couldn’t score from the 9 and Nick Folk missed a chip-shot 24-yard field goal to the left.

An ominous sign against the Patriots, and Tom Brady went right to work. Completions of 12 yards to Aaron Hernandez, 21 to Rob Gronkowski — Brady loves those tight ends — and 12 to Chad Ochocinco got them in field goal range. Gostkowski did what Folk couldn’t, squeezing his 50-yarder just through the uprights for a 3-0 lead.

Ochocinco’s catch was his first in a month; his last was against the Jets on Oct. 9 in a Patriots victory.

Sanchez overthrew a wide-open Dustin Keller on the next Jets possession, then was sacked by Carter, forcing a punt and quieting the crowd. The fans were nearly silent when Ochocinco broke free behind star cornerback Darrelle Revis — the Jets appeared confused in their alignment — and gained 53 yards on a throw from Brady.

Again, the Patriots stalled and Gostkowski made it 6-0 with a 36-yarder.

Carter got his second sack on the final play of the first period.

For star power, the Patriots went with Jon Bon Jovi as the team’s guest, while the Jets welcomed Donald Trump.

Make no mistake about it, the New York Jets (5-3) need to win more so than the New England Patriots (5-3) when the AFC East powers face off at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

Forget that New York knocked New England out of the playoffs last season, that it has advanced to two straight AFC Championship games and done so by winning four playoff games on the road. Those are admirable accomplishments, but still just accomplishments of the past. This is about the now.

Head coach Rex Ryan and quarterback Mark Sanchez(notes) have proven themselves worthy adversaries of their Patriots counterparts, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady(notes), but after suffering a 30-21 loss to New England in Week 5, the Jets’ chances of winning their division in 2011 will take a huge hit should they fall short this weekend.

The Jets, Patriots and Buffalo Bills (5-3) are tied atop the AFC East entering Week 10. New York bullied Buffalo at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Week 9, limiting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick(notes) to 191 passing yards on 15 of 31 pass attempts—two of which were intercepted—en route to a 27-11 win. Sanchez overcame an early interception in the contest and completed 20 of 28 passes, including an 8-yard TD to receiver Santonio Holmes(notes) that gave New York a 20-3 lead in the third quarter.

New England, having lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants in Weeks 8 and 9, respectively, is looking for its first win this month. With 1 minute and 36 seconds left to play in last Sunday’s Super Bowl XLII rematch, Brady, on fourth and 8, put the Patriots in front 19-17 (before the extra point) when he threw a 14-yard TD to tight end Rob Gronkowski(notes).

But just as the crowd at Gillette Stadium could taste victory, Patriots safety Sergio Brown(notes) was called for pass interference while covering receiver Victor Cruz(notes), allowing New York to advance to the goal line. On the ensuing third and goal, QB Eli Manning(notes) completed a game-winning, 1-yard TD to TE Jake Ballard(notes) with 15 seconds remaining.

Despite the Patriots’ last-minute loss to the Giants, the Jets have more at stake in Week 10.

The specter of New England will persist until New York can become the preeminent power in a division that is still up for grabs. The Jets winning Sunday’s game would be an important step toward such, but a defeat gives the Patriots a sweep in the season series.

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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y., Nov. 6 (UPI) — Mark Sanchez capped a 17-point third quarter with a touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes that carried the New York Jets to a 27-11 win over Buffalo Sunday.

Sanchez found Holmes on an 8-yard strike with 3:27 left in the frame, topping off a run during which the Jets extended a 3-0 halftime lead to a 20-3 advantage.

Sanchez finished 20-of-28 in the passing department for 230 yards and an interception for the Jets (5-3), who also got rushing touchdowns from LaDainian Tomlinson and John Conner while logging their third straight win.

Ryan Fitzpatrick completed 15-of-31 passes for 191 yards, one score and two interceptions as the Bills (5-3) lost for the second time in three games.

Fred Jackson’s fumble early in the third quarter led to a Tomlinson score that put New York up 13-0.