The Jets have been terrific offensively thus far in 2010, scoring the fifth- most points in the league, ranking No. 2 in the NFL in rushing, and possessing a starting quarterback in Mark Sanchez (711 passing yards) who has eight touchdown passes, zero interceptions, and a sterling 105.3 passer rating through four weeks. In last Sunday’s thumping of the Bills, Gang Green rang up 444 yards of total offense, the attack’s best showing since a 447-yard onslaught against the Raiders last Oct. 25th. The 38 points tied the Jets’ top output of the Rex Ryan era. A soft Buffalo front seven had little clue against the Jets running game, which received big efforts from both LaDainian Tomlinson (341 rushing yards, 3 TD. 12 receptions) and Shonn Greene (223 rushing yards), who combined for 250 yards and two touchdowns on 41 collective carries. Sanchez threw touchdown strikes to Braylon Edwards (12 receptions, 3 TD) and Dustin Keller (19 receptions, 5 TD), both of whom could see their chances diminished with Holmes in the fold this week. The Jets rank No. 1 in the NFL in turnover margin (+8), turnovers committed (1) and interceptions thrown (0).
It is highly unlikely that the Jets will have as much success running the football as they did in Week 4, as a Vikings run defense led by the ‘Williams Wall’ of defensive tackles Pat Williams (9 tackles) and Kevin Williams (8 tackles, 1 sack) remains one of the best in the business. Minnesota has prevented two of its first three opponents from reaching the 80-yard rushing plateau, including a scant 63 for the Lions in Week 3. Linebackers E.J. Henderson (19 tackles) and Chad Greenway (29 tackles) will look to continue to make plays behind the beefy front wall. When Sanchez drops to throw, Jared Allen (10 tackles, 1 sack) and Ray Edwards (4 tackles) – who have gotten off to a bit of a slow start after combining for 23 sacks last year – will attempt to dial in on the QB. Cornerbacks Antoine Winfield (22 tackles, 1 INT) and Chris Cook (5 tackles) will have primary responsibility for Holmes and Braylon Edwards, with safety Madieu Williams (15 tackles) among those lending support.