Former Jet, John Abraham, is the team’s biggest playmaker, particularly when rushing the quarterback, but he is injury prone and has only 1 ½ sacks since week one. However, Abraham still has excellent “get off” on the snap and poses a challenge to whomever he faces.

He likes to use his quickness to shoot gaps but he is not real strong at the point of attack. The Jets should have success running at him because he does not take on blocks, particularly double-teams, real well.

The Falcons have been victimized on the edges this season. Along with Abraham, third year man Jamaal Anderson has not defended the run well.

Anderson has been a major disappointment since Atlanta selected him 8th overall in 2007. In almost three full seasons, he has 2 1/2 sacks and only ½ sack this season.

At 6-6, 290 he has prototypical size but has not been able to maximize his talent on the field. He is strong and fast but is not real instinctive and does not shed blocks well.

The Jets should have success running at both ends and should work the perimeter of the field as well. Atlanta’s corners are undersized and do not tackle well.

Chris Houston (5-11, 178) and Chris Owens (5-9, 179) are the starters but Houston has been nicked up and Brent Grimes (5-10, 181) has filled in but all three lack experience and have been vulnerable in coverage as well.

Atlanta has given up 53 pass plays of 20 yards or more, by far the most in the NFL, and their young corners are the reason why.

Second year man, Chevis Jackson, has better size (5-11, 193) and is more aggressive than the other three but has not been able to offset their deficiencies despite gaining more playing time in recent weeks.

In addition to being able to run at these corners, the Jets should be able to make plays in the passing game. Their wide receivers match up well against Atlanta’s DB’s and Braylon Edwards, in particular, will have a significant size advantage over whomever he matches up against. At 6-3, 215 Edwards should be able to use his size to post up these smaller corners.

Jerricho Cotchery should also enjoy an advantage. His physical style should allow him to run the slants that he has had success with this season. Atlanta’s corners are just not physical enough to challenge him off the line.

The steadiest player on this defense is MLB Curtis Lofton who is already one of the best middle linebackers in the league. Lofton has 118 tackles on the year, which ranks him fourth.

This guy is a real thumper and when he hits you, you will go down in a hurry. He has good quickness and agility and is very instinctive. He reads blocking schemes well and has a nose for the football.

The Jets will have to pay extra attention to him whether they run inside or out. They will have to double him when possible because he has a way of getting to the football.

The Falcons are more of a read and react defense. They do not blitz often which should help Sanchez. If he is allowed time in the pocket, he has already shown the ability to stick balls through tight windows. It is when he is pressured that he rushes and makes poor decisions.

The Jets’ offense matches up well against this defense. Their line outweighs Atlanta’s by an average of 25 pounds and should be able control the line of scrimmage.

The interior of Atlanta’s defensive line took a huge hit when it lost rookie Peria Jerry to injury. He might be the most talented player on the entire defense yet his replacement, Thomas Johnson, has a ways to go before he can be a regular contributor.

Johnson lacks proper technique and does not use his hands well, which should give Brandon Moore, who will line up opposite him, a clear advantage.

At the other defensive tackle spot, Jonathan Babinueaux is one of the few bright spots on this defense. He has good quickness off the snap and will have an advantage over Alan Faneca on pass plays.

Babineaux has five sacks on the year and pressures the pocket consistently. Faneca will need help blocking him because he does not handle quick DT’s well at all. The Jets may need to keep a running back in on slow developing pass plays to help him.

Against the run however, Faneca will have the edge. Babineaux gives away too much in terms of strength and size and is easily engulfed by bigger blockers. He also does not react quickly to blocking schemes and loses ground when trying to recover.

In addition to attacking Abraham, the Jets should be able to run at Babineaux.

Safeties Erik Coleman and Thomas DeCoud are good in run support and will be brought up closer to the line to defend the Jets’ running game. But this will leave them open to play-action passes, which should be a significant part of the Jets’ offensive game plan.

The Falcons are one of the worst defenses in the league at stopping the pass. They rank 30th overall due to a weak pass rush and poor coverage from their corners.

Weather conditions will force the Jets to run the ball frequently but there will be opportunities to make plays in the passing game. With Edwards and Cotchery having a significant size advantage over Atlanta’s DB’s, a controlled passing game, featuring a lot of short outs and slants will be enough to convert third downs and keep the sticks moving.

The Jets’ offense has a clear advantage over Atlanta’s defense, particularly in the trenches. The only way the Jets lose this battle is if the offensive line does not come out with the necessary intensity.

The Falcons’ defense can win with speed and quickness so the Jets’ line must come out and dominate the point of attack with their size and strength.


Keys

• The Jets’ offensive line must be physical and dominate this smaller defensive front of the Falcons.

• Run early and often. Players like John Abraham and Jonathan Babineaux do not fight off blocks well and are vulnerable when teams run right at them. Atlanta’s corners do not tackle well so runs to the perimeter should have success as well.

• Take advantage of Braylon Edwards’ size advantage and post him up on these small DB’s. Cotchery should also be able to exert himself with his physical style of play and the Jets should use play action to open up slants for him in the middle of the field.

• Pay attention to Curtis Lofton. He is the team’s leading tackler and hits like a ton of bricks. Double-teaming him, particularly on runs up the middle, will make a lot of sense.

• Keep a back in on pass plays to help Faneca who has yielded pressure to some of the quicker defensive tackles he has faced. Babineaux fits that same profile so the Jets would be wise to protect up the middle with another blocker, particularly on slower-developing pass plays.