Two teams have won a Super Bowl in the last decade with a below average offense, the 2002 Bucs and the 2008 Steelers. It's three for twelve if you go back to the 2000 Ravens. So having an average offense is not a critical limiter but it definitely makes the odds longer. Four teams have won with a defense that was below average for the season, although two of those four teams were the Giants who then played very well defensively in the Super Bowl in the respective seasons.
The Giants D was great in both postseasons and tghe key to winning both of those SBs. I don't care what reg season rankings tell us.
sorry should have specified...im referring to passing defense which is where the obvious drop off occurred.
Actually that's not true. The passing defense is where they excelled. Clay Matthews and Woodson both had amazing years. Their passing D was ranked #5, while their rushing D was like 17th. Average the 2 together in yards and it's 5 overall. Same as the Jets D last year. 2010 - Packers had the #9 overall offense and #5 overall defense and they won a superbowl. 2011 - Packers had #3 overall offense and #32 defense and look where it got them. It just shows that a balance between O and D is important. Obviously there are exceptions, but you can't just have the best offense and expect success, just like you can't expect to just have the best defense and expect success, especially in the post season when you play better defensive teams. Both can obviously help the other side win, but it's certainly not just about offense today, like the other dude claimed. 2011 - If the Jets have a top 3 D, and a top 15 O. It'll be close and those are realistic projections.
so what isn't true? they went from #5 passing defense to #32 overall defense? the major decline was in pass defense and less of a decline in run defense. That's my overall point to begin with. If you take that #32 defense and say it is a #15 defense you're telling me they don't goto the SB last year? In fact I'll go so far as to say they go undefeated.
Ah yeah, my bad. I misunderstood your post. I thought you were saying the Packers passing D was bad in 2010. Yes, there was definitely a big drop off in that from 2010 to 2011. Defense can make or break you. It definitely shows that even with the best offense in the league, you still aren't guaranteed to win when your defense can't get stops. Patriots and Packers are perfect recent examples. You have to find a balance.
Just don't turn the freaking ball over and get better on 3rd down, that's all the Jets really need at this stage. Oh and knowing when to run and when to pass.
I think the only way 17-21ppg is a winning season (i.e. Playoffs) is if 3rd Down Conversion is high and turnovers are low.
Our Defense isnt what it was 2 years ago. Therfor, we need our Offense to be a little better than it was 2 years ago (which it is far from even being close)
3 things. Don't turn the ball over. And the next two tie together. They need to stop consistently going 3 and out. It is going to happen, but they can't let themselves string 3-4 3 and outs in a row. The other is big plays. The lacked the big play last year. It made effective drives only possible when executed to perfection. The big thing is turnovers. If they cut them down, they can be an average offense if no improvement from last year besides the turnovers. If they add some big play ability to the lack of turnovers I think they can be low above average but right outside the top 10, so 11-13 range.
If the Jets sputter on offense and have a rash of 3 and outs, then the defense, elite or not, have no chance at helping this team survive. They will be gassed and will always be defending a short field. Don't fool yourself in thinking that a defense alone can get it done.
flashes of greatness? puhleeaassseee, LOL. greatness>sanchez the two don't even belong together! sanchez has shown signs of competence at times, hardly the word to decribe greatness. you must have had a momentary brain fart!
