(Sports Network) – Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez aims for his fourth game in a row with two or more touchdown throws and an 85-plus passer rating. He had a career-best 369 passing yards in last week’s loss to the Raiders. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson has averaged 85.5 rush yards per game against Baltimore over four lifetime meetings. Last week, Tomlinson joined Hall of Famers Jerry Rice (208) and Emmitt Smith (175) as the only players in history to score 160 touchdowns with a scoring catch. He posted his third career 100-yard receiving game against the Raiders with a 116-yard effort and leads AFC running backs with 196 receiving yards in 2011. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes aims for a seventh consecutive game with a touchdown against Baltimore. The former Steeler has seven career touchdown catches against the Ravens, his most versus any opponent. Wide receiver Derrick Mason spent six seasons (2005-10) with Baltimore before joining the Jets this offseason and needs 38 receiving yards to become the 18th player in NFL history to reach 12,000. Tight end Dustin Keller ranks second among AFC players at his position with 249 receiving yards, trailing only New England’s Rob Gronkowski’s 281 yards.
The Baltimore defense is tied for second in the NFL with five interceptions, trailing only Buffalo’s six. Linebacker Ray Lewis (39.5 sacks, 31 interceptions) needs just half a sack to reach 40 for his career and can become the first player in league history with 40 sacks and 30 picks. Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs has 15 sacks in his past 19 games and safety Ed Reed has an interception in two of three career games against the Jets.
The Jets are ninth in the NFL in scoring (27.7 points per game), 16th in total offense (360.7 yards per game), 10th in passing (278.7 ypg) and an uncharacteristic 25th in rushing (82.0 ypg). Defensively, Baltimore is first in the league in scoring defense (13.3 ppg), 13th in total yards allowed (329.3 ypg), 17th against the pass (245.3 ypg) and sixth in rushing defense (84.0 ypg).