New York Jets Early 3 1/2 Point Favorites Against Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL News - December 8th, 2009 - Written by John

On Sunday when the Jets visit the Buccaneers, both teams will have something different to play for. The Jets find themselves square in the middle of the AFC Eastern division chase, while the Buccaneers, who are 1-11, look to develop their rookie quarterback in hopes of a bright 2010 season.

This is a game that on paper the Jets should win, but with an injury hampering Quarterback Mark Sanchez, the NFL Week 14 Betting Odds have installed them as only a 3 1/2 favorite to take down the Buccaneers on the road. Sanchez suffered a PCL sprain diving for a first down New York's last game against division opponent Buffalo.

Jets Coach Rex Ryan is hopeful about the status of his young quarterback however.

"I feel good that it sounds like he's going to be healthy," Ryan said when asked of his quarterback. "I think that is the best news we could've hoped for."

Sanchez will have had an extra couple of days to get ready for the Buccaneers game this upcoming Sunday because the Jets played Thursday night. This will no doubt help the quarterback comeback from the sprain, and increase the chances that he will be able to get back on to the field.

Sanchez was called out by Ryan after the game for diving ahead, rather than sliding, something Ryan has been coaching Sanchez to do.

"In the heat of the moment, I don't know how else to explain it, I was really trying to get a first down and advance the chains," Sanchez said when asked of the incident. "That's just the way I play."

Ryan expressed his displeasure following the game in a press conference in which he referred to Sanchez as a "knuckle head."

"Everything I mentioned is for the safety of him," Ryan said about his comments. "I want him to be around a long time. I think my comments and all that, it's because I care about him."

On the other side of the ball, the Tampa Bay Buccaneer are coming off of a game in which they were in the red zone six times, only to come away with zero points. At one point in the game, the Buccaneers had made four consecutive offensive possessions inside the Carolina twenty yard line, and were stopped every time.

Rookie QB Josh Freeman had five interceptions, three of which were inside the red zone. It was a day of wasted and missed opportunities.

The Buccaneers cannot afford to have a repeat of turnovers in mass quantity like they offered up to Carolina if they have any expectation getting their second win of the year.

Weekly Betting trends indicate that the Jets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a ATS win. On the other sideline, the Buccaneers are 4-10 in their last 14 games overall against the spread.