The New York Jets can't stop the deep ball, and Joe Flacco can't stop throwing interceptions. The dueling displays of ineptitude will clash Sunday when the Jets visit the Baltimore Ravens.
Flacco already has thrown a career-high 13 interceptions this season, and the Ravens signal-caller called the picks "annoying" this week. The Super Bowl MVP has struggled; losing key receivers and being pummeled behind a shaky offensive line haven't helped.
The fruitless bounty of turnovers has prompted cornerback Antonio Cromartie and newly acquired safety Ed Reed to wear T-shirts that read, "Wanted: Football."
(Side note: It's a joke, people, not a bounty.)
The New York secondary is also giving up big plays -- 10 over 40 yards this season, per the New York Daily News -- which was one reason the Jets brought Reed into the fold.
Reed has lost more than one step since his days in Baltimore as one of the NFL's best free safeties, but the Jets are expecting him to play a substantial role in defending against his former quarterback.
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"We're expecting a lot of shots," Rex Ryan said about how his defense is preparing for Flacco, per The Star-Ledger.
Whether those shots go for touchdowns or add to Flacco's interception count will go a long way in determining the game.
Sunday's tussle has big playoff implications. The Jets cling to the final playoff spot, and a Ravens loss essentially could end their hopes to defend their Super Bowl title.
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