Attempting that stupid 52 yard FG when our 2nd half drive stalled was a killer ... but that's not why we lost. We lost because we settled for 3 after we recovered that fumble deep in their end with 3 minutes to go with a 14-6 lead. We needed to go up 21-6 there, and use up the rest of the first half. We didn't get it done and went in at 17-13 instead. Game over. Anyway ... definitely DEFER.
Second half kickoff is a factor in the decision, but I think the larger consideration is that you kick off because you think your D has a good chance to get the opponent to go three and out and you then play a field position game. It tends to have more utility where the expectation is it will be a low scoring, field position determining game. I don't think this will be a low scoring game where field position will be a dominant factor. Hence I voted to receive. I would rather the Jet O get on the field before the Indy O has already scored. Not that Indy cannot play from behind - witness last year. And the Jets unlike during the Chad era can play from behind. But, despite all that, I'd rather the Jets not have to play from behind. I think I just exceeded my anti-gay quota of use of the term "from behind" though.
Defer....dont want Indy having the chance to score at the end of 1st half & then get the ball right back.
I think you're thinking way too much into it. Getting the ball to start the second half is huge, especially when dealing with a guy who tends to score a lot in the final 2 minutes of a half. Even then, our D leads the league in those 3 and outs you speak of.
Plus, Peyton is a guy who figures out a defense as he goes along, so I'd rather he get that extra possession to start the game then after he's had a half to look at us and come out of the locker room with a plan. I'd rather get the ball to start the third, and assuming it's a close game, score and use up about half the quarter, ideally.
I'm more concerned about this part than wether or not we start with the ball. We CANNOT give him a 2-minute drill to close the half. If it's 4th and 3 on our own 40 with 2:35 to go we go for it rather than punt it. I'd rather give him the TD before halftime than see him orchestrate a 90 yard, soul-crushing unstoppable Peyton TD drive.
That's what Belichick did on 4th and 2 at the end of the game that year. It didn't work but that's why he did it and I can't say I disagreed with it, even though it didn't work. It doesn't matter where you give Peyton the ball when he's playing in his living room there, try not to give it to him at all.
Jets are lead by their defense and Sanchez seems to be better in "clutch" situations anyway. Defer seems like the obvious choice to me.
I want to see us get the ball to start so we have more control over the game. Peyton has the ability to go down the field and score a touchdown no matter how well a defense plays, and that could be a big emotional blow if our D plays their asses off and the Colts still start off with a TD. If the Jets can put the first points on the board I think that gives us an emotional advantage... this team plays better when they are confident.
We lost b/c our D couldn't stop the Indy O. Playing for 3 after the fumble and the bad decision to attempt that long FG hurt us but the score of that game could have been alot worse, Indy's O dominated our D from late in the 1st half through the end of the game.
Agreed ... but I can't stop wondering what that second half might have looked like if we came out leading 21-6 with all the momentum on our side and a chance to go up 28-6. Maybe we don't settle for a long FG attempt there. We'll never know.
Even though weather (e.g. setting it up to have the wind in the 4th quarter) isn't a factor here, there still is a slight advantage to deferring. 2nd half adjustments often win games. The Jets can delay part of their strategic offensive plans until more information rolls in about how the game is going, i.e. how the Colt's are looking to play it.
Take the ball first and put points on the board. If Manning goes down and scores first, I think it'll be a long day for the Jets. I think the most important thing for the Jets is not to get down by more then one score. I don't think they can win if they do. I think Revis will handle Wayne and Cromartie will be ok with Garcon. The big issue will be handling Price in the slot and Tamme.
Defer, Stop them, the Score on a long drive. Get the ball in the second half & score on a long drive. Now, what we do in between?
I might be just a tiny bit biased, but I think Faulk got the 1st down and the refs blew the spot. :up:
