Jets' heart is strong, but it won't beat long in playoffs

Can the Jets expect to continue to keep getting takeaways? Probably not, unless one of the free safeties (Scott Frost, Kevin Williams or Chris Hayes) can play better. As it is, the safety coverage has been unsatisfactory.

This team will remain addicted to takeaways because the Jets probably will continue to keep turning the ball over. "What gets us down is obvious," Martin said after the loss to the Broncos. "We turned the ball over. We can't afford to turn the ball over."

Testaverde is to interceptions what Elizabeth Taylor is to marriage. His 13 interceptions are second highest in the NFL this season, and his 204 career interceptions are second highest among active quarterbacks behind Warren Moon. But that doesn't stop the Jets from lining up with an empty backfield an inordinate amount of time. "They throw the heck out of the ball from a spread formation, so that gives you opportunities to get picks," says Buccaneers strong safety John Lynch.

Muscle. No problems here.

The Jets might have the finest group of linebackers in the league, and the blue-collar defensive line enables the linebackers to flow to the ball. "Their linebackers are the strength of the defense," Gailey says.

New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has used this strength wisely. With relentless defensive tackle Jason Ferguson and linebackers Bryan Cox and Marvin Jones manning the middle, the heart of the Jets' defense is a big, balled fist. With a head-on hit, Jones makes running backs go from forward to reverse without a transmission shift. Cox is playing his best football in years, attacking runners viciously and rushing passers furiously.

There also is no atrophy on the other side of the ball. The Jets clear holes for Martin with a line that plays better than it has a right to. It isn't exactly a group of All-Pros, though second year guard Randy Thomas is a rising star at guard, and center Kevin Mawae also is darned good. The Jets went into last weekend ranked second in the NFL in sacks allowed per play. The Jets need to emphasize their offensive muscle more.

The doctor's diagnosis: The Jets are not as healthy as they appear. Unless they change their lifestyle, they can't be expected to live beyond the first week of January. Further testing in Indianapolis and Miami the next two weeks is prescribed.

TSN's Power Poll

Rk. Team              W-L    Streak

1.  Tennessee         8-1      W8
2   Minnesota         7-1      L1
3.  Oakland           8-1      W6
4.  Miami             7-2      W2
5.  St. Louis         7-2      L1
6.  N.Y. Giants       7-2      W4
7.  indianapolis      6-3      L1
8   Washington        6-4      L2
9   Tampa Bay         5-4      W2
10. N,Y, Jets         6-3      L2
11. New Orleans       6-3      W5
12. Baltimore         6-4      W1
13. Buffalo           5-4      W2
14. Kansas City       5-4      L1
15. Philadelphia      6-4      W1
16. Pittsburgh        5-4      L1
17. Denver            5-4      W1
18. Detroit           5-4      L2
19. Jacksonville      3-6      W1
20  Carolina          4-5      W1
21. Green Bay         3-5      L1
22. New England       2-7      L3
23  Arizona           3-6      W1
24  Atlanta           3-7      L1
25. Seattle           3-7      W1
26  Dallas            3-6      L2
27. Chicago           2-7      W1
28  San Francisco     2-8      L5
29  Cincinnati        2-7      L1
30. Cleveland         2-8      L7
31. San Diego         0-9      L9