"Just as the Carolina Panthers are having trouble again stopping opponents from running the ball, they now must prepare to face the league's top-ranked rushing team.

The New York Jets, who host Carolina Sunday at 1 p.m., are averaging 163.5 yards per game on the ground, just ahead of the Titans (161.8) and Panthers (159.1).

The Jets have the league's sixth-leading rusher in Thomas Jones, who has rushed for 884 yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry.

Carolina gave up an average of 149.3 yards rushing in the first three games, then had an 85.8 average over its next five games following the arrival of defensive tackle Hollis Thomas.

But since outside linebacker Thomas Davis' season-ending knee injury and a hand injury that has limited defensive end Julius Peppers to playing almost exclusively on passing downs, the Panthers have surrendered a 179-yard average the past two games against Atlanta and Miami, both strong running teams.

The Dolphins rank fourth in the NFL in rushing and the Falcons are 12th."