NY JETS(6-5) at OAKLAND(7-4) ANALYSIS

In consecutive weeks, late last season, these two teams met. In the regular season finale the Jets won 24-22, only to be rudely eliminated the next week 38-24 in the first round of the wild card play-offs. The RAIDERS' stars in that game were QB Rich Gannon(23 of 29 for 294 yds and 2 TDs, RB Charlie Garner(158 yds and 1 TD) and the aging Jerry Rice(9 catches for 183 yds and 1 TD). I say aging, but believe me it is just like fine wine, because it just gets better( he is in the process of having his best year since 1996)
OAKLAND has won thier last 3 games, after an OT loss to SAN FRANCISCO in wk #9, blasting thier last opponent, the ARIZONA CARDINALS, on the road 41-20.
OAKLAND has won 7 of the last 9 regular season meetings between the two, and lead the series 18-11-2. OAKLAND'S MNF record is 35-19, while the JETS are a dismal 14-18. Coach CALLAHAN of the RAIDERS will face the JETS for the first time in his career as the OAKLAND coach. This could have an impact on the outcome, but a slight impact at best.
The NY JETS resurgence has been primarily due to the play of QB Chad Pennington, a MARSHALL U product, who took over the QB duties in wk #5. He has won 5 of his last 7 starts, and holds the top QB rating in the NFL(108.8), throwing just 1 INT in his last 4 starts. He will be throwing to WR Laveranues Coles, a FLORIDA STATE product, who leads the team with 57 catches for 738 yds. Coles has excellent speed and agility, which should cause a lacking RAIDER pass defense some serious concern to say the least. Charlie Woodson, the ALL PRO CB of the RAIDERS will likely be glued to Coles, while T James will cover JETS WR Wayne Cherbet.
Look for the JETS to try to take advantage of the RAIDERS inconsistent secondary, and to also throw to RB MARTIN and to Richie Anderson out of the backfield. JETS RB Martin is finally 100%, after undergoing an ankle injury, and "THAT WILL" cause the RAIDERS considerable concern. The RAIDERS tough run defense(100.9 ypg) relying on LB Eric Barton and Bill Romanowski vs. Martin at full strength, will be an interesting matchup.
OAKLAND possesses the best offense in the NFL primarily due to Rich Gannon(300 or more yards in 8 of his 11 starts this year. The 36 year old Gannon has completed 69% of his passes this season, with 22 TDs and an amazingly stingy 9 INTs. Gannon ranks second only to Chad Pennington with a QB rating of 99.1, and has an excellent trio of wideouts in Jerry Rice, T Brown and J Porter. The JETS secondary, which ranks 9th in the AFC(221 pyg) will have to be at its very best to stop OAKLANDS 3 Musketeers, who will work on JETS CB Aaron Beasley, who registered only his second INT of the season last week.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS
The OAKLAND passing game will open up the lanes for Charlie Garner, and he will have an excellent night, just as he did in the play-off game last year.
On the other hand the JETS excellent passing game, of late, will open up the lanes for a 100% Martin. Any way you look at it, both defenses will be in for a very "LONG EVENING".