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Jets (3-2) at Raiders (1-4) (Sunday, 1:15 p.m. PST, CBS)

THE SCENE:

The “Black Hole” will certainly give Jets quarterback Brett Favre (right) an earful, a testament to Raider fans’ loyalty to the silver and black, because this team is becoming increasingly more difficult to watch. Their performance in New Orleans last week provided the latest example.  For the fourth straight game, Oakland kicked a field goal on their first possession (albeit on a short field).  Unfortunately, that was the highlight.  34 unanswered Saints points later, the early three point lead was a 34-3 defeat as JaMarcus Russell and the offense mustered 173 yards over the next three and a half quarters and the defense was tortured the precision of Drew Brees.

It’s mattered very little whether Lane Kiffin or Tom Cable or Larry the Cable Guy has called the shots, because the story stays the same: Some stretches of competitive football, sometimes long, too often short, then puke on your shoes before losing.

The Jets, on the other hand, have won two straight and are figuring how to win without being at their best. Last week against Cincinnati, they let Ryan Fitzpatrick and the 0-6 Bengals hang around until early in the fourth quarter. But ultimately, New York put them away in time with some room to spare.  Oddly enough, the Jets and Raiders were two of the busiest teams in the offseason. It’s just that New York is the only one that’s starting to put all together.

PERSONALITIES:

New York Jets

Favre, QB #4. Love him or hate him, you have an opinion. And at this point you have to admit that Favre hasn’t looked a bit like Old Man River in the Big Apple, as some of his detractors predicted.  Two weeks ago, he had six touchdown passes against Arizona. Guess the nursing home will have to wait.  The Jets will probably rely more on Favre against Oakland than they did against Cincy, in part because Oakland’s defense has looked vulnerable against the pass. If he’s in a groove it could be a bad afternoon for the Raiders secondary. Maybe it’s because he’s the guy that caught the little alley-oop fourth down pass against Miami in Week 1, but Chansi Stuckey has become one of Favre’s favorite receivers. Expect to see a deep shot or two in the direction of the former Clemson receiver.

Kris Jenkins, NT #77.  Jenkins has the kind of impact inside that can be devastating. Prior to the Jets’ Monday night game against the Chargers in Week 3, Mike Ditka told Colin Cowherd on ESPN Radio that Jenkins was playing better than any defensive tackle in football. He can rush the passer, but excels at jamming up running lanes. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler and is likely to give Raiders center Jake Grove, who’s already faced Jamal Williams and Marcus Stroud, his biggest challenge of the year.  It’s a critical matchup, since we all know what happens if the Raiders can’t move the ball on the ground.

Dwight Lowery, CB #34. The rookie has started since the opener and broke up key pass in the end zone on Miami’s final drive. He’s recorded 22 tackles and has seven pass deflections. He also put pressure on opponents because they can no longer play keep-away from Darrelle Revis, who’s arguably the Jets best defensive back. Check out this clip of the elusive former San Jose State corner returning a preseason punt to the house.  Good stuff.

Oakland Raiders

Greg Knapp, Offensive Coordinator. Prior to the game against New Orleans, head coach Tom Cable promised a balanced offense from Knapp, his new play-caller. If by “balanced” he meant “atrocious with both the run and the pass,” he was spot on.  The pressure’s on the former 49ers and Falcons coordinator to resurrect some of his inventiveness and get his stagnant unit moving.  Good luck with that, by the way.

DeAngelo Hall, CB #23. Like the defensive version of Terrell Owens, except he’s also a bit of cheap-shot artist. Every time Hall is involved in a play, a few seconds pass after the whistle where you’re not sure if he’s capable of going back to the huddle without losing his mind or accosting someone. Even in last week’s blowout loss to New Orleans, he could’ve easily been called for two horse-collar tackles on Reggie Bush. On the bright side, he’s got two INTs and the still-reckless Favre always provides the opportunity for more.

ISSUES:

JaMarcus Russell: Quarterback or hand-off artist?  Scaling things back for Russell, 1-5 as a starter, is not the worst idea. Basically, it would be a good idea to avoid situations where he has to throw 35 passes in one game. But the offense is too easy to stop with the young quarterback simply stuffing it Justin Fargas’ and Darren McFadden’s gut.

Russell’s judgment is also a problem . Despite his two-to-one touchdown to interception ratio (which would be more impressive if he had more than four TDs) his biggest problem has been holding on to the ball too long.  Russell has been sacked 12 times behind a not-terrible O-line. The Jets defensive game-plan will center on stopping the run and making Russell beat them.

Alan Faneca clears the way, Thomas Jones makes ‘em pay. Raiders linebackers Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard are aggressive run stoppers, but they’ll have their hands full with Thomas Jones. The former first round pick got lost in the shuffle at times last year, his first with the Jets, but has become a focal point as the Jets try to find balance in their offense, a point that is yet reach its full potential. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer typically runs to the left side behind Pro Bowl tackle Alan Faneca, always a smart move.

The specialists.  Johnnie Lee Higgins is becoming a weapon in the return game critical for a team that struggles move the ball, Shane Lechler is the best punter in football, and Sebastian Janikowski has yet to miss a field goal from inside 56 yards. For everything wrong with the Raiders, their special teams are rock solid. The Jets are entirely the opposite. Kicker Jay Feely is erratic and punter Ben Graham was injured, cut and resigned when his replacement got hurt. The guy to keep an eye on is Leon Washington. He’s reminiscent of former Giant Dave Meggett; small with tremendous vision and burst.

Huffing and puffing. As Drew Brees completed a 51-yard pass to receiver Devery Henderson last Sunday, Raiders safety Michael Huff trailed the play and only caught up in time to tag Henderson down at the 21 yard line. It exemplified two things about Huff’s season so far.  First, he’s had trouble defending receivers over the top and second, he’s missed so many tackles that it’s a gift when the ballcarrier falls down on his own. According to the Contra Costa Times, backup Hiram Eugene may take Huff’s place against New York.

How Cable and Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan handle that position may determine how often Favre and receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles challenge the Raiders deep.

TURNING POINT:

The game is Cable’s first at home, but he’s not the coach that matters most. Knapp must get creative, especially if they’re planning to involve Fargas and McFadden more than usual. If Russell can’t keep the Jets honest, it could be another long afternoon. On that end, Russell could use some help from his receivers.  Ashley Leile, Ronald Curry and Javon Walker actually catching the ball, for example. Dropped passes are drive killers, and while the Raiders may try to throw slants, etc. instead of the Al Davis special (70-yard bombs), it won’t make a difference if the ball clanks off somebody’s shoulder pads.

WEATHER:

McAfee Colesium, Oakland CA. Sunny, 12 mph wind, 70-degrees.

LINE: NYJ (-3)

INJURIES:

New York: Out - Mike Nugent, K (thigh); Questionable - Calvin Pace, LB (foot); Bryan Thomas, LB (calf); Jenkins, NT (back); Coles, WR (thigh)

Oakland: Doubtful - Derrick Burgess, DE (triceps); Questionable - Ben Troupe, TE (foot); Nnamdi Asomugha, CB (elbow); Isaiah Ekejiuba, LB (shoulder)

PREDICTION:

The Raiders will get an early lead and trick their faithful band of home fans into staying for four quarters, only to have Favre throw a couple of second half touchdowns and beat ‘em. Jets 21, Raiders 16.

EP

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