Five Keys to Getting Back on Track

The Jets have had enough close calls. Sunday offers another chance to turn a competitive afternoon into a win. No more “morale victories”; Aaron Glenn needs to start winning football games.

New York hosts Las Vegas at MetLife Stadium today, November 1, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on FOX. Both teams could use a lift: the Jets enter at 2–5, while the Raiders have dropped four straight after opening the season 3–0. (Game information, team preview)

Here are five things to watch from the Jets side.

1. Give Geno Smith time to work & make the running game count

Smith faces his former team with a strong start to his return to New York: 10 touchdown passes, two interceptions and a 70% completion rate through seven games. The Jets should give him opportunities to attack, while keeping the offense out of obvious passing situations. Keeping Geno away from 3rd and long would help keep the Las Vegas pass rush from dictating the afternoon.(Raiders’ scouting report)

There is an opening on the ground. Las Vegas enters allowing 143.6 rushing yards per game, ranking 30th in the league. New York should test that defense early. Consistent gains would create shorter third downs and give the Jets more freedom to choose when to take shots downfield. Braelon Allen has looked fantastic the past few weeks; the Jets need more of the same from him.

2. Stop the run and keep the score down

The Jets need to make Las Vegas work for its points. That starts with containing Ashton Jeanty, tackling cleanly and forcing longer third downs. Keeping the Raiders ground game quiet would give New York more chances to pressure Kirk Cousins. Hold firm in the red zone, limit big plays, and give the offense a manageable target. These have all been things the Jets have struggled with, so it remains to be seen if this defense can truly step up.

3. Make Kirk Cousins uncomfortable

Cousins comes into the matchup with a league-leading 16 touchdown passes. Giving him clean pockets could make this a long afternoon. Rookie edge rusher David Bailey is listed as doubtful, and with Joseph Ossai out, that means they need a big day from Will McDonald. New York needs pressure that disrupts Cousins timing without creating easy openings behind it. So they will have to be creative with their blitz packages against the veteran QB.

4. Carry last week’s offensive progress forward

The Jets scored a season-high 25 points against Miami, converted seven of 13 third downs and scored touchdowns on three of four red-zone trips. That is something to build on. Getting Garrett Wilson involved early and keeping drives moving would help turn that encouraging performance into a repeatable formula.

5. Finish the fourth quarter

Four of New York’s losses have come by one possession. Another tight finish would hardly be a surprise. If the Jets have a late lead, they need an offense that can earn another first down and a defense that can get off the field. One clean closing stretch could finally give this team a different ending. (Jets’ game preview)

The outlook: There is a workable path for New York: run effectively, protect Smith and force Cousins to hurry. The opportunity is there. Now the Jets need to make the decisive plays.