What We Learned: Jets vs. Falcons

Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com

Let's call it what it is.

This blog is not to address Monday's game although Monday's game played a major role in helping me decide to write this, but let me get to the starter before I get to the entree' of this particular blog.

Monday, the Jets rolled into the Georgia Dome and did what a lot of people didn't expect them to do. They won. At times, the Jets seemed to dominate Atlanta. Being up as many as 13 points, Rex Ryan's crew had the Dirty Birds on the ropes. It took a tremendous rally for Mike Smith and the Falcons to overcome said deficit to regain the lead. In the end, it was Geno Smith, the same Geno Smith who many said wasn't ready to start in this league, that lead the Jets down the field putting Nick Folk in a position to boot Gang Green to victory.

Photo Courtesy of Associated Press

Okay, to be fair and honest, you could have gotten that story from NFL.com, the Associated Press, Fox Sports or even the replay on ESPN which is probably airing as I write this. So, in that sense, you didn't get your money's worth. Now, you will. 

Tonight's blog could very easily be about the former West Virginia quarterback and his maturity in the league. It could easily be about how the Falcons aren't who we thought they were. But it's not. This blog is here to basically point out one harsh fact. That fact is this...

THE NFC SOUTH, FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, IS NOT VERY GOOD THIS YEAR!

I hate to say it, but it's true. Aside from the Saints, the NFC South hasn't been good to the fans of their respective region.

Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com

Yeah, New Orleans is 5-0 this year. Truthfully, what living creature didn't expect the Saints to be good once Sean Payton returned to the helm? Fact is, Payton is the pivotal piece that makes the Saints as great as they are right now. They're a talented team to a man, but it's Payton that makes them go. Not one single team in the NFC South can say that they have a coach that is as gifted or means as much to them as Sean Payton.  Yeah, Mike Smith has led the Falcons to the playoffs, but he hasn't quite been able to get them over the hump...and I think a lot of that comes from not having the right pieces or the right scheme on defense. Monday night sort of proved that. You're up by a point and the Jets have to find a way to go 80 yards down the field with a rookie quarterback. That's not supposed to happen.

The Panthers haven't seen a record over the .500 mark since 2008. While I'm not personally located in Charlotte, I can pretty much assure you that, as this stage of the season, the "Fire Ron Rivera" campaign is well in motion and, if the Panthers don't do something soon to change their fortunes, they may have another campaign...the "Hire David Shaw" campaign. Well, maybe not David Shaw...maybe anybody but Ron Rivera. 

And let's not get started on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tell you what. If you want to see what I think of Tampa, visit my previous blog. As a fan, I don't think I have the patience or the stomach to revisit the fiasco going down at One Buc Place right now. 

The NFC South is essentially the Saints to lose...and at 5-0 right now, I see no reason for them to falter. While they do have a fairly tough schedule ahead of them starting this coming Sunday in Foxboro against a New England team who was beaten by Mother Nature and the Cincinnati Bengals, the Saints are the cream of the crop this season and it's going to be tough for anybody...and anybody does include the Denver Broncos...to beat them.

Okay, so I wouldn't be doing this blog justice if I didn't say something about the Jets, right? Fine. 

The Jets are doing what subpar teams are supposed to do in situations like they're in. They're finding a way to stay in every game they're supposed to lose...and they're winning those games. Show of hands...how many of you had the Jets at 3-2 at this point in the season?

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I don't see too many of you raising your hands. Don't feel bad. I didn't raise mine either. Truth is, not a whole lot of people did especially after they lost Mark Sanchez. Granted, Sanchez wasn't the answer that the Jets were looking for...well, maybe not after last season. But Geno Smith has come in and, for the most part, played well. New York is holding opponents to 76 rushing yards per game. That's second in the league for those of you keeping score at home.  I'm not ready to go all out and say the Jets will make the playoffs, but they sure are making enough noise and putting themselves in a contending position for maybe a wild card position because, let's face it, the Patriots have to have a colossal meltdown to lose the AFC East...although Miami is playing well. 

So, let's say this. Today, you learned that the Falcons may be merely a victim of inconsistency and this is not what Tony Gonzalez came back for.