Rex vs. Hue, and Other Topics

Rex Ryan and Hue Jackson. Two tough guys, two hard-nosed coaches. Both were assistants on the 2008 Baltimore Ravens team that lost the A.F.C. championship game to Pittsburgh. Theirs is just one of the story lines going into Sunday’s game between two franchises — the Jets and the Raiders — that have a long and rich history together.

Join the discussion with George Bretherton and Bret Leuthner tonight from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. by clicking on the box below. Listen in or call us at 480-409-3547.

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TOPICS OF DISCUSSION

1) Is Hue Jackson taking the Raiders in the right direction? Jackson, who admits to being influenced by Ryan, is talking a big game. (Listen for yourself below) In Rex-ian fashion, he announces that the Raiders will get it done this Sunday against the Jets. The Raiders, who may have been slowed last week against Buffalo because of quirky scheduling (traveling cross-country on short rest), figure to be fired up for their home opener. The Jets were 8-3 on the road last season, including the playoffs.

2) Is the Giants’ defense rounding into form? It didn’t look good early against the Rams on Monday. But maybe it wasn’t as bad as it seemed. The defense finished the game with three straight 3-and-outs in the fourth quarter. Rams quarterback Sam Bradford finished with a completion percentage of less than 50 percent (22 of 46, 47.8%) and the Rams’ rushing game averaged only 3.1 yards per rush. On offense, Eli Manning bounced back after throwing an early interception to throw for 2 TDs.

The Eagles’ offense, with or without Michael Vick, will be a supreme test for the Giants’ defense.

3) Other issues from around the league

– Can the Bills end their 15-game losing streak to the Patriots? Buffalo’s last victory came on Sept. 7, 2003, by 31-0 in Orchard Park.

– Is it Carolina vs. Jacksonville or Cam Newton vs. Blaine Gabbert? Newton, the heralded No. 1 pick over all, has had a head start over Gabbert, the No. 10 over all pick, who got his first N.F.L. action in the fourth quarter of the Jaguars’ 32-3 loss to the Jets last Sunday.

– In division rivalry games, can 0-2 Minnesota make a stand at home against the beastly 2-0 Lions? Other key division games include Atlanta (1-1) at Tampa Bay (1-1), Green Bay (2-0) at Chicago (1-1), Washington (2-0) at Dallas (1-1), Kansas City (0-2) at San Diego (1-1) and Arizona (1-1) at Seattle (0-2).

Extra Point If you can’t join the discussion, leave a topic to discuss in the comments section and we will bring it up on the air.

Monitoring the Perils of Poor Scheduling in the N.F.L.

By any measure, Oakland’s Hue Jackson got what he wanted in his debut as an N.F.L. head coach on Monday night. The Raiders went to Denver and won against a division opponent. They  dominated the Broncos physically, and Denver fans were left calling for the backup quarterback Tim Tebow.

Now comes the hard part.

When the Raiders play their next game at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Buffalo, they will be on the negative side of the biggest discrepancy in recovery and preparation time for a game between two opponents, not including bye weeks, in the N.F.L. this season. The Bills defeated the Chiefs in Kansas City in a game that ended at just after 4 p.m. Eastern on Sunday. The Raiders’ game with Denver ended at at 1:46 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday.  Essentially, the Bills will have a 34-hour head start for their game against Oakland.

To make matters worse, the Raiders will be forced to travel across the country to Buffalo on Friday,  three days after they arrived home from their victory in Denver.

Every team has to deal with scheduling inconveniences. To Jackson’s credit, he has refused to use the schedule as an excuse (video above). But the league has a responsibility to make it fair. The Jets will be at the center of another scheduling challenge later this season.

After the Jets play New England at home on Sunday night, on Nov. 13., their next game will be at Denver on national television on Thursday, Nov. 17. The Broncos will play a 1 p.m. game in Kansas City on Nov. 13.

We will monitor the results of games this season when there are significant discrepancies in recovery and preparation time between opponents. For now, keep an eye on Oakland’s performance at Buffalo this Sunday.

Are you ready to talk some football? Join the discussion with George Bretherton and Bret Leuthner tonight from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. by clicking on the box below. Listen in or call us at 480-409-3547.

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