BALTIMORE — The Jets have gone from Road Warriors in Rex Ryan’s first two years as head coach to Road Worriers the past three seasons, none worse than this year.
The Jets are 1-4 away from MetLife Stadium this season, and they are not just dropping away games, they are getting embarrassed — with losses by 40, 25 and 23 points.
“Right now the biggest problem is we don’t bleed, we gush,” guard Willie Colon said.
The Jets will attempt to stop the bleeding today against the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, where the Jets never have won and the Ravens are 36-8 since 2008.
It’s not an easy task for the 5-5 Jets, who seem to be at a loss why they can beat the Patriots and Saints at home and get their doors blown off by the Bills on the road. In 2009 and ’10, Ryan’s Jets were 15-7 on the road, including four playoff wins. The past three seasons, they are 6-15.
The Jets are letting games get away from them early this season. Opponents have outscored them 34-6 in the first quarter.
“That’s ugly, there’s no question,” Ryan said.
Colon was stumped when asked about the reason behind the slow starts.
“I don’t know what’s the recipe behind it,” Colon said. “I wish I could say it was a lack of intensity, but I really don’t feel like that. I don’t think we’re coming out not ready to go. I think we’re just not a great team right now handling early adversity. It seems like we have to get warmed up, and by the time we get warmed up the score is over our heads.”
The Jets can’t afford another road clunker. This is a key game in the AFC playoff picture, with the 4-6 Ravens knowing they have their backs against the wall and the Jets trying to hold on to their slim lead for the final wild-card berth.
“We control our destiny,” Colon said. “Either we come out firing and handle our business or we can continue to struggle. Right now, we’re at the position where all the right teams are losing, but it’s not a comfort zone, it’s a sense of urgency. We’re kind of in the boiling pot. Either we stand up and stay strong or we melt.”
A look inside the game:
Marquee Matchup
Ravens WR Torrey Smith vs. Jets CB Antonio Cromartie
Cromartie’s struggles against the deep ball this year have been well documented. He has given up passes of 77, 60 55, 53, 46 and 43 yards. Now, he gets Smith, who is averaging 17.1 yards per catch and can get behind defenders.
It’s no secret what Smith’s game is.
“Speed,” Jets defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman said. “He can run, the guy can run.”
The Jets may have to give Cromartie safety help and hope rookie Dee Milliner can handle Jacoby Jones.
The Return of Reed
It was surprising to see new Jets safety Ed Reed playing nearly every snap in his debut last week in Buffalo, but you know he’s not coming off the field Sunday. Reed will face the team he played with for 11 seasons for the second time this season. He played them when he was a member of the Texans in September.
Amazingly, Reed has gone winless this season. He is 0-8 in games he has played in for Houston and the Jets. He was asked what it would mean to grab an interception Sunday, but he’s just looking for a win.
“Ask me that after the game when I pick one,” Reed said. “I don’t know. I really can’t describe that. I really can’t describe that moment right now. I just want to win a ball game. I haven’t been on a team that’s won a football game since the Super Bowl, so this will be special.”
Who Are These Guys?
Speaking of Reed, he’s one of two future Hall of Famers no longer on the Ravens defense, along with retired linebacker Ray Lewis, giving the Baltimore defense a different look than it has had in years.
This year’s defense is not quite what it was, but it still is a good unit. The defense is 13th overall and tied for eighth in scoring defense.
“There are different faces, different numbers, but they’re still aggressive,” Jets center Nick Mangold said. “They’ll hit you. They play good, sound defense. It’s going to be a challenge for us.”
No Ray of Hope
The one area that has been remarkably consistent for the Jets this season is their run defense. They are first in the league in yards per game (73.2) and yards per attempt (2.9).
“Obviously we’re playing the run better than anybody in the league, and it’s not close,” Ryan said. “Go ahead, run it if you want. We’ll see what happens to you.”
The Ravens have relied heavily on running back Ray Rice in the past, but that has shifted this year. Rice has just 420 yards on 140 carries and four touchdowns. The Ravens are 27th in rushing offense in the league, as they have worked in three new starters along the offensive line.
Hold the Line
The Jets offensive line had a terrible game last week in Buffalo, as the Bills’ pass rush dominated them and rattled Geno Smith. This week, the Ravens have Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil rushing from the outside. The duo has a combined 17 ½ sacks. Jets tackles Austin Howard and D’Brickashaw Ferguson have to keep Smith upright if the Jets have any chance of winning.
Costello’s Call
If you like defense, this is the game for you. Expect a physical game with both teams’ defensive lines making their presence felt. In the end, the Ravens score a defensive touchdown to win the game.
RAVENS 17, JETS 13