New York Jets vs Cincinnati Bengals preview: the # 1 matchup to watch in the NFL game
The New York Jets take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 in 2016. Out of all the factors that take place this Sunday, this matchup will determine the winner on NFL Kickoff.
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Jets vs. Bengals: At a glance – Football – NorthJersey.com Gang Green will open the season vs. the Bengals at home. |
| Source: www.northjersey.com/sports/football/jets-vs-bengals-at-a-glance-1.1655604/ | |
Jets offensive line vs Bengals front 7
This is the matchup that will decide the game. Defensive end Carlos Dunlap (franchise-record 13.5 sacks in 2015) is a Pro Bowler. All-Pro Geno Atkins is one of the top 3 defensive tackles in the NFL who had 11 sacks in 2015 (led all DTs) and has 40 sacks over the past five seasons. Domata Peko and Michael Johnson are solid defensive linemen. These 4 players were the reason why the Bengals were the top 5 in defense last year and will face… who? The New York Jets best left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson retired in the offseason. The LT they traded for from the Denver Broncos (Ryan Clady) missed all of last season with a leg injury and has to learn a new system. Their starting right tackle Breno Giocomini last year is out for 6 weeks with a back injury and is on the PUP list (physically unable to perform). RT Ben Ijalana has played 7 games in 5 seasons as a LT while Brent Qvale, who is in his 2nd year in the NFL, has never started a game as a RT. New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles could play both Ijalana and Qvale at RT against the Bengals and rotate them in every game.
“It’s possible until it sorts itself out” Bowles said.
Dunlap and Johnson will break through both of these 2 inexperienced players and get to Ryan Fitzpatrick. Not only will Ryan have these 4 Bengals in his face but there will also be blitzes from linebacker Rey Maualuga and the defensive backs. The Jets reshuffled offensive line can not handle all of these players on such short notice. Two of their five starters are gone from last year. Clady, Ijalana and Qvale need at least 4 games to develop chemistry with center Nick Mangold and the other 2 guards.
If Fitzpatrick is constantly getting quarterback hit and thrown to the ground, the football will never get into the hands of playmakers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. New York’s offense will not be able to move down the field and score points. Protecting Ryan and holding the pocket long enough for him to throw the ball to his receivers will determine whether Gang Green wins the game.
