(Was last week a fluke for Sanchez and the Jets?)
Monday Night Football brings the best out of most teams. Sadly, though, in recent history at least, it rarely does so for both teams competing on the same night.
However, with one exceptional comeback win by the Jets back in the day of Vinny Testaverde, this Jets vs. Dolphins rivalry still has some bite when the lights go on.
But what are we going to see? Is Mark Sanchez going to fold on the biggest stage the league has to offer? Are the Dolphins going to pick-u where they left off last week against Buffalo?
And most of all, is this actually going to be a hard-fought rivalry game; the kind we’ve grown to expect out of the AFC East?
We’ll find out soon enough. For now, here’s some updates and fantasy advice heading into tonight’s final match-up of week five.
Jerricho Cotchery (WR)
Cotchery is in fact active for tonight’s game, despite the team raising doubt all week long with reports that his hamstring was giving him issues.
He still isn’t an incredibly safe play, as hammy’s can act-up at any given moment, but if you’re desperate, he could definitely help you if he toughs out the entire four quarters.
Braylon Edwards (WR)
He’s only a week into the system, but coming from an Eric Mangini offense in Cleveland, the terminology isn’t too different. If Cotchery is even slightly slowed down by his hamstring, Edwards could reap the benefits.
The loss of Mark Sanchez’s second receiver, Chansi Stuckey, also gives Edwards a higher ranking on the target totem pole for his Jets’ debut.
Mark Sanchez (QB)
Sanchez is coming off of an absolutely horrid game against the Saints in week for, where he threw three picks, lost a fumble, and failed to generate any points by his own doing.
He should see much more success as he faces a very beatable Miami secondary. If you’re fighting between him and Chad Henne, Sanchez is still your guy.
Dustin Keller (TE)
Keller was basically operating as Sanchez’s number two guy, even when Chansi Stuckey was in town, so if you’re not high on Braylon Edwards scoring touchdowns in his first game, then you could bank on Keller getting more targets than usual.
Miami could try shutting down the run early and force Sanchez into mistakes, but if it backfires and he plays well, Keller could have a big game.
Both Thomas Jones and Leon Washington figure to be obvious starts at this point in the week, unless you have Ricky Williams and/or Ronnie Brown. Brown scored twice and topped 100 yards last week, while Williams also continues to find success. Both are good starts, but will have to work for their points against a solid Jets front line.
Ted Ginn Jr. (WR)
Ginn is not a safe option right now, as Miami continues to break-in Chad Henne by running the ball as much as possible. Even if Henne is forced to go to the air, Ginn’s one catch in the past two weeks suggest his 11-catch outburst in week two was very much a fasad.
Davone Bess (WR)
Like Ginn, it’s difficult to gauge Bess’s value, but at least you have more than one game of solid targets to rely on. Bess has two games of at least seven catches in the first four weeks, and should see more balls his way as Henne gets more comfortable.
If you don’t trust Henne, though, no Miami receivers make particularly great plays this week.
Despite leading the team in catches in week four, you can lump Greg Camarillo in this muddled genre.
Brian Hartline, although a rookie, has earned more playing time each week with smart play, and the ability to play all three receiver positions. He also has recorded at least two catches in three of his four games, and scored his first touchdown of his career last week. He’s not a horrible sleeper pick if you don’t have any other option tonight.
Chad Henne (QB)
If you can choose between Henne and Sanchez, as stated before, definitely go with the passer who has the better downfield options and guys that actually know what they’re doing all the time.
Henne is looking better each week and is supported by a great rush attack and imagnitive offense (sometimes), but will need Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to break the Jets run defense down to have a chance at having a good night fantasy-wise.
Don’t count on it.
Both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams make quality plays, while Anthony Fasano is no better than an emergency fill-in at tight end. Pat White, for the fourth week in a row, has zero value, and does not belong on your roster. Ditto for Tyler Thigpen.
