It's funny. Reading that thread about shutting down elite QBs, I instantly thought of how they did that with Revis. They haven't done it without him. Some of them also don't know our RB depth, so even without Lacy we actually have a good running game. There are few teams that shut down Rodgers, and he has bounced back to have a good game every time.
Cobb had a great rookie season, has been good since but not elite. He might have had elite athleticism before his injury but I haven't seen it since. I love the guy, I just don't know if it's fair to declare him up there with Harvin. That said, Cobb is a much better receiver than Harvin and I'd rather have a really good second WR than a speedy one trick pony.
We've shut down elite QB's post Revis. Last year we held Tom Brady below 50% passing twice, before that he hadn't had a single game below 50% in years. They also held Brees to his 3rd lowest comp. pct of the year and won the game. Also beat Matt Ryan in prime time. All that was with both starting cornerbacks who were rated in the bottom 10 of the league. Actually, the secondary has gotten
better since last year, although that was not a hard leap. Rex loves to gameplan for elite QBs and he always keeps us in it.
Also, we aren't overlooking your RBs, it's just that it isn't possible to run on the Jets. Last year they led the league in YPC allowed, at a little over 3. Harrison, Wilkerson and Richardson were all rated in the top 3 at their positions for stopping the run by Pro Football Focus. Frankly, it's the best run stuffing line in the NFL. There isn't a team in the league that can consistently run on it.
That being said, I still think the Packers win the game. It's going to be a lot closer than you all think though. The reason it'll be close is that you simply won't have the ball for long enough to blow us out. One thing the Jets excel at is being a great time of possession team. Their run game was 6th in the league last year and it added Chris Johnson and Geno has taken a liking to running as well, so it may even be improved. Also the run D is elite as I mentioned. That means that even if we aren't scoring, we'll be sustaining drives and chewing up clock with the Packers offense on the sidelines. It also means that you're going to be pretty 1-dimensional and you won't stay on the field for long strictly passing, whether it's a failed possession or a quick score.
The key against you guys is outside pressure. The Seahawks got a ton of it which is what shut your O down. The problem is that the Jets are predicated on inside pressure from the front 3, and don't have much of an outside rush. That means that instead of Rodgers being confined to the pocket, he's going to be able to elude the rush and improvise/extend the play by getting outside of the pressure. This is bad in general against him, but especially with a depleted secondary. Rex loves to play man-to-man, and the corners just aren't good enough to hold their coverage downfield for that long if Rodgers is extending plays with his legs. That could be the fatal blow to us.
My prediction is that the Jets offense has no problem moving the ball and wins TOP about 35-25. Geno has a solid day and the running game goes over 150 yards as well. However, they shoot themselves by sustaining drives and settling for a couple field goals in the red zone. The Packers have many 3 and outs but their successful drives go for touchdowns. I see something along the lines of Packers 28 Jets 20. It's a whole different ballgame if we can get a rush from the OLBs though, and I wouldn't be surprised if Rex drew something up.
Glad to give a little insight on a Gang Green perspective of the game, enjoy and good luck guys!
