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SDOGO · 10-18-2005, 04:41 PM

Why To Watch

Week 7 will end on a Monday night with two teams headed in opposite directions.

The Falcons have gotten by despite quarterback Michael Vick being hobbled. They have leaned on running backs Warrick Dunn and T.J Duckett, and tight end Alge Crumpler remains the team's top receiving threat while the young wide receivers mature. Meanwhile, a speedy and attacking defense has kept Atlanta in every game.

The Jets have had more than their share of quarterback injuries and thus have tabbed to 41-year-old Vinny Testaverde. After a solid outing in a win over Tampa Bay, the Jets took a step back at Buffalo last week. On the bright side, running back Curtis Martin had his best game of the year (148 yards) and will continue to carry a heavy load. The defense must continue to create turnovers and a short field for and the offense. On the downside, the injuries have continued as the Jets' line has lost veteran center Kevin Mawae (torn triceps) for the season.

Both the Falcons and Jets are struggling with inconsistent pass protection brought on by opponents' blitz schemes. Both defenses have come through with takeaways to produce scores or give their offense short fields.

Atlanta needed two late penalty flags to defeat the Saints at the Alamodome last week. The Jets -- 0-5 in their last five road games -- now head to what should be a raucous Georgia Dome. Both teams must avoid looking ahead to next week's bye.

Jets Keys For Success

1. Run the ball and work the clock. The last thing the Jets want to do is give Vick too many opportunities to make things happen. The Falcons' defense allowed 211 rushing yards last week to a Deuce McAllister-less New Orleans offense. Look for the Jets to use more power-blocking schemes to open the inside run for Martin against Atlanta's undersized defensive front.

2. Throw screen passes to tight ends and backs. New York will look for high-percentage passes to supplement its running game. Screen passes, such as the ones to tight end Doug Jolley and fullback Jerald Sowell, allow Testaverde to get rid of the ball quickly and use the Falcons' one-gap penetration scheme against them.

3. Evaluate and self-scout offensive sets. Teams will self-scout or review their own games to see if they are showing tendencies that defenses can pick up on. In the two weeks with Testaverde at quarterback, the Jets ran the ball or threw short passes with two backs in the backfield while the bulk of their deep passes were from one-back sets. If the trend continues, Atlanta will adjust its strategy toward formation rather than down-and-distance.

Falcons Keys For Success

1. Challenge cornerback Ty Law. When you have a rule unofficially named after you for illegal contact, it's tough not to be the focus of an official's eye on each passing down. Even though he has had an interception in each of his past two games, penalties and poor tackling led to Law watching from the sidelines for several second-half plays last week. Expect the Falcons to challenge Law to test his injured foot and style of play.

2. Use "trap" and "wham" blocks. The Jets' defense has produced 13 negative yardage plays on first down in their first five games, a testament to their ability to penetrate and reestablish the line of scrimmage. To slow down an aggressive defense, look for Atlanta to trap-block the defensive tackles and "wham" -- attacking the ends using an outside-in block thrown by the offset fullback or tight end aligned off the line.

3. Mix coverages. Testaverde always has struggled to read defenses, especially when both safeties are aligned deep. New York will use one-back sets to force one of those safeties out of deep coverage, creating an easier read for Testaverde. Atlanta must mix coverages, creating looks that will signal the Jets' quarterback to look downfield before dropping an extra defender deep to take away "seam" and "in" routes.

Injuries at a glance

Jets injuries

10/18/05 Jay Fiedler QB Shoulder Could return 11/6
10/17/05 Ty Law CB Back/groin Questionable for Week 7
10/17/05 John Abraham DE Thigh Week 7 status unclear
10/17/05 Kevin Mawae C Triceps Out for season
10/10/05 Derrick Blaylock RB Foot surgery Out till at least Week 12
10/10/05 Chad Pennington QB Shoulder Should be ready for 2006 season

Falcons injuries

10/18/05 T.J. Duckett RB Ankle Questionable for Week 7
10/12/05 Chris Cash CB Arm fracture Out for the season
9/29/05 Kevin Mathis CB Knee Out for the season

The Bottom Line

The Jets are counting on Martin, 32, to carry the offense and keep the pressure off Testaverde, 41. The Falcons will follow Buffalo's game plan last week and rattle Testaverde with a variety of blitz packages. Look for Atlanta to get an early lead and force the Jets to play from behind. The Jets lack the firepower to compete in a shootout or to stage a comeback.

Pick: Falcons 28, Jets 14

**imported_Leroy Salmon** · 10-19-2005, 06:23 AM

I´m worried how our rush d plays this week, after last week´s embarassment, 211 rush yds allowed. We better get it fixed ,otherwise Curtis Martin will run over us the whole ****in game. 14-10 to Falcons

**The Archduke** · 10-19-2005, 07:54 AM

Martin did finally show up this past weekend, but the offensive line is in shambles. Mawae was the centerpiece. Pete Kendall, who isn't a slouch, will replace him.

John Abraham is questionable for the game. If history repeats itself, he probably won't play, meaning that the pass rush will be stagnant.

Attacking Ty Law might be a moot point, considering he might not play, either.

If Vinny makes some plays, and Martin is able to find some holes and generate a running game, the Jets have a chance.

Still, I say:

Atlanta 27
N Y J 10

**ouchy** · 10-19-2005, 10:09 AM

Jets 20
Atlanta - 16

DOnt know why but I got a feeling the Jets will get some crazy plays and win this one. Maybe Coles will finially do something productive or actually make a big play.

**DHNF** · 10-19-2005, 10:22 AM

Atlanta plays really well at home. Ever since Arthur Blank took over the team and they got Vick this town has been Falcon crazy.

I tried to tell Moe that before the Eagles/Falcons game and he acted like I was crazy. That dome is loud as ****.

The Falcons should not have a problem winning this game.