NFL Monday Nighter – Jets vs. Ravens

Mark Sanchez is expected to start at quarterback for the Jets in their preseason tilt against the Ravens on Monday night – another clear sign for those handicapping the NFL betting scene that head coach Rex Ryan is leaning towards him for the top job.

Oddsmakers opened New York as 3-point underdogs in the second preseason affair for both clubs, and the number has held there despite plenty of action on Baltimore. About 67% of wagers on the spread had come in on the Ravens through Sunday night, so don’t be surprised if the guys setting the lines adjust the number before kickoff.

NY Jets at Baltimore – 8 PM ET

Ryan has stated the Jets’ quarterback battle is a wide open competition between Sanchez and Kellen Clemens, but is there any real doubt regarding who New York would like to see win the job? Clemens is essentially a career backup, having started a handful of games during the 2007 season. Sanchez, on the other hand, was given a $60 million contract by Jets brass after he was the second QB taken in this year’s draft following first overall selection Matt Stafford.

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Both Sanchez and Clemens played well in New York’s 23-20 loss as 3-point home chalk to St. Louis last Friday, but it’s safe to say a draw will lead to the former USC standout getting the starting job. Sanchez connected with David Clowney for a 48-yard strike on his first pass in a Jets uniform, leading to a touchdown by running back Thomas Jones. The No. 5 pick finished 3-of-4 for 88 yards, while Clemens was 4-of-4 for 24 yards passing in limited action.

Expect to see more of Sanchez and Clemens with the starting job effectively on the line on Monday night. That might not be the best thing for New York, which got a strong performance from third-stringer Erik Ainge in its loss to the Rams. Ainge was 10-of-17 for 148 yards with a TD, and seemed to have good chemistry with Clowney (three receptions, 102 yards receiving, TD vs. St. Louis).

The Jets come into the game with a slew of key performers expected to sit out. Center Nick Mangold (knee), nose tackle Kris Jenkins (calf), cornerback Darrelle Revis (hamstring), right tackle Damien Woody (head), fullback Terry Richardson (hip), and kicker Jay Feely (groin) are all questionable for New York, while left guard Alan Feneca (finger) is listed as doubtful.

Baltimore has some injury trouble of its own, most notably to its two best wide receivers. The unretired Derrick Mason (finger) is questionable for the Ravens, as is Mark Clayton (hamstring). Defensive end Trevor Pryce (foot) is also expected to miss Monday’s game, while DE Terrell Suggs (heel) and CB Samari Rolle (shoulder) are out for Baltimore.

The thinking before the preseason was the Ravens wouldn’t have enough depth at receiver, but those concerns were at least partially quelled in their 23-0 win over Washington last Thursday night. 15 different players caught passes in the easy payday for Baltimore, which cashed as 3-point home faves in the rout.

Overall, the Ravens offense was impressive in their preseason opener, racking up 500 yards – including 399 yards through the air. Starting quarterback Joe Flacco led Baltimore on drives that led to a field goal on each of his two possessions, and finished 9-of-15 for 103 yards. Backup QB Troy Smith wasn’t as efficient as Flacco, but certainly looked in his element on his way to completing 14 of 30 pass attempts for 200 yards and a score for the Ravens.

Overlooked in Baltimore’s offensive outburst against the Redskins was its characteristically strong play on the defensive side of the football. Second in the NFL in defense to Pittsburgh last season, the Ravens held Washington to 196 yards total offense last Thursday – including only 56 yards on the ground.

New defensive coordinator Greg Mattison’s unit also gave up virtually nothing in terms of field position: Baltimore didn’t once allow the ‘Skins past the Ravens’ own 30-yard line, and kept Washington from advancing past midfield on nine of its 12 possessions.

The total for the Jets-Ravens game opened at 32 points, and was listed at 32.5 as of Sunday night.