With the Jets and Bengals so run-first oriented on offense as well as two of the top defenses in the NFL, coach Rex Ryan called the teams “mirror images of each other.”
“It’s going to be an old-fashioned, knockdown, drag-out,” Ryan said. “This is going to be a man-on-man type challenge.”
The Jets own the No. 1-ranked rushing offense (166.6 yards per game) and total defense in the league. The Bengals have the No. 6 ranked rushing offense and are No. 4 overall on defense, including the second-ranked rushing defense (87.7 yards allowed per game).
“Watching those guys on film, they play together and they don’t ever miss tackles,” Jets fullback Tony Richardson said. “They have a great scheme. They shut down teams’ run and teams are forced to throw the football.”
Cleveland’s Jerome Harrison and Kansas City’s Jamaal Charles are the only two back to rush for 100 yards against the Bengals. Jets running back Thomas Jones has a career-high seven 100-yard rushing games this season.
Richardson, knowing it will be difficult to run on the Bengals, said the Jets must stay with it.
“We need to stay patient and keep running and realize we might get one yard here, three yards there or a negative run, but we’ve got to continue to stay the course,” he said.
The Jets average 166.6 yards rushing per game and their 2,499 yards rushing are second-most in franchise history.
Jones, who is fourth in the NFL with 1,324 yards rushing, is 12 yards away from surpassing his career high set in 2005 with Chicago.
“It would mean a lot,” Jones said. “Obviously, being 31 and a lot of people say, ‘Hey, you’re on the decline the older you get,’ to me, I feel like I’m getting better and better each week and better and better each year.
“I think my first couple of years in Arizona, not getting that many carries, is paying off now on the back end for me physically.”
* Punter Steve Weatherford‘s tweaked right hamstring was “feeling better” yesterday, but still had some tightness.
Weatherford injured the hamstring in practice Friday, and the Jets worked out punters yesterday as a contingency plan. The team brought in A.J. Trapasso and Glenn Pakulak, but signed neither — an indication Weatherford might be fine for the game.
“I’m feeling better, still some tightness,” Weatherford told The Associated Press. “John Mellody and the training staff have done a great job helping me get ready.”
If Weatherford plays but aggravates the injury during the game, kicker Jay Feely would take over the punting duties.
Among the potential headaches for the Jets defense tonight is former Rutgers RB Brian Leonard, who is having a productive season in Cincinnati after playing in only two games last season because of a shoulder injury.
Leonard, a second-round pick by the Rams who was traded to the Bengals last March, has been big factor third downs with 19 of his 30 receptions coming on third down. He also has 26 carries for 76 rushing yards.
“One of the guys on their team referred to him as the MVP just because of what he has been able to do for them on third down,” Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said. “He’s excellent in blitz pickup. He gets out of the backfield, and he’s got great hands.
“He has the ability to make you miss, and he’s very physical. He has converted a lot of situations where it didn’t look good for them on third down and suddenly they’re moving the chains. He’s a guy who we have to be aware of.”
* Though they’re not saying it publicly, most of the Jets are expecting to see Bengals backup QB J.T. O’Sullivan at least some tonight.
O’Sullivan is the ultimate journeyman, having played for seven different NFL teams. He started eight games for the 49ers last season and had a 2-6 record.
Pettine called O’Sullivan “a bit of a gunslinger.”
Jets CB Donald Strickland, who is out for today’s game because of a quadriceps bruise, played with O’Sullivan in San Francisco and has been tipping off teammates on some of his tendencies. Strickland said O’Sullivan likes to throw it deep while on the run and take chances.