For the New York Jets, this week could not have a better time. Better for two reasons: 1. they are taking on a not so good football team in the Houston Texans, and 2. There playoff lives could get a major boost or major hit. Those two components make for an interesting dynamic for the Jets. Losing the past three of four games, the Jets offense has gone cold and lost their scoring touch. This week is a chance for the Jets offense to turn a corner and retract to the hot start they had earlier this season.
Offense was the one thing the Jets focused on improving, especially after last season. For the first six weeks of this season, they put up 17 or more points a game. The past few weeks, their offense has slowed down and it has left opportunity after opportunity on the table. Houston’s defense has had its difficulties this season; the Jets must do what they can to exploit it. That means getting their running game and passing game back on track, and start converting on third down.
Even coming in banged up, the running game should be effective Sunday. Running back Chris Ivory hasn’t been himself the past few weeks, but showed signs of finding his old form in the second half in the loss to the Bills last week. The Texans defense is 25th in the league in defending the run, which should point to Ivory and company having good days on the ground. If Ryan Fitzpatrick has trouble throwing the ball, the running game will take the load.
As for the passing game, the Jets have some problems, but still have enough explosiveness to put points on the scoreboard. Wide out Eric Decker has been consistent this season, and should see the ball countless times this Sunday, especially if Brandon Marshall gets most of the attention from the Texans secondary. The Jets will have their work cut out for them knowing that the Texans rank fifth in passing yards per game only allowing 222.3. Fitzpatrick will have to spread the ball around to catch the Texans off guard. That means utilizing the likes of Jeremy Kerley, Jeff Cumberland, and Devin Smith more than the past nine weeks.
This Jets offense can put up points as mentioned earlier, but for the Jets to also come out with a win, the play-calling has to do a total 180 from the past few games. Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey has made questionable decisions that costed the Jets valuable points. His game plan should include a mix that the pass and run, but somewhat more running attack to expose the Texan defense.
As seen in the Buffalo game last week, dropping passes and fumbling the football are crucial to the Jets success on offense. Ivory’s fumble in the beginning of the third quarter, not only put the Jets behind the eight ball in terms of momentum, but led to a touchdown for the opposition. The Jets receivers dropping passes left and right have led to missed chances to get into the red zone, and to keep drives going. In particular, these mistakes can’t happen this Sunday.
What you see above is the formula for a Jets win this Sunday. This game is where the offense will find it groove. Everyone should be on the same page after an 11 day layoff. Both the passing game and running game are locked and loaded looking to break their drought and the losing trend that has surrounded the team the last few weeks.