The Jets finally got back on track offensively against the Cowboys in Week 6 with Sam Darnold under center, racking up a season-high 382 yards of total offense in a 24-22 win.
It’s not going to be easy for the Jets to replicate that offensive performance in Week 7, as the Patriots come to town boasting the No. 1 defense in all of football. New England has allowed only 234.7 yards per game so far this season, while also turning over opponents more than any other team in the NFL.
To say Bill Belichick’s unit has been dominant through its first six games would be an understatement. The Patriots are firing on all cylinders defensively and show no signs of slowing down, making New York’s task of emerging victorious for the second consecutive week tremendously tougher.
No defense is invincible, though. Let’s take a look at what the Jets have to do to get the ball rolling against the Patriots on offense.
Control the tempo
Defeating a defense as strong as New England begins with taking control of the tempo from the opening kickoff.
Long, sustained drives that result in points will undoubtedly wear down the Patriots’ defense throughout the course of the night. Every defense’s goal is to get stops and get off the field as quickly as possible. If the Jets control the tempo and time of possession, it’s only a matter of time before the Patriots crack and give up a big play or two.
Not only do long drives help the Jets offensively, but defensively as well. Sometimes the best defense is good offense. If New York keeps Tom Brady and company off the field and gives its defense ample time to rest and adjust with drives that take time off the clock and net points, the Jets will be positioned well down the stretch.
Get Robby Anderson going
Sam Darnold’s return to the field marked the revitalization of Robby Anderson, as he recorded five catches for 125 yards and a 92-yard touchdown reception.
If the Jets have any chance at beating the Patriots, Anderson will have to turn in another performance similar to the one he posted in Week 6. The fact of the matter is Anderson is New York’s most dangerous skill position player not named Le’Veon Bell. His expanded route tree and abilities to take the top off a defense are crucial when it comes to picking up yards through the air against a secondary as strong as New England’s.
Anderson hasn’t had an easy go of it against the Patriots in his career, catching only 15 passes for 169 yards and no touchdowns in four games. Factor in All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore shadowing him all day and there’s a legitimate possibility the Temple product becomes a non-factor in Week 7. He’s going to have to fight off Gilmore and his past struggles against the Patriots to help the Jets have any chance in this one.
Avoid costly turnovers
Avoiding turnovers is a no-brainer, but doing so becomes even more paramount for the Jets in Week 7 with the Patriots coming to town.
New England leads the NFL in takeaways with 16 and has a +9 turnover differential so far this season. The Patriots have picked off 14 passes through six games, with Devin McCourty accounting for four interceptions and Jamie Collins picking off three passes from his outside linebacker position.
The kind of interception that Sam Darnold threw in the red zone against the Cowboys simply cannot happen against the Patriots. If the Jets can’t control the ball against New England, they’ll beat themselves before getting the chance to take it to them.
Continue strong offensive line play
The Jets offensive line surprisingly kept Sam Darnold upright for the majority of Week 6 despite the Cowboys featuring a strong pass rush.
New York’s offensive line will need to keep the good times rolling against the Patriots’ pass rush. New England will be without star defensive end Michael Bennett, but the Patriots still have an assortment of edge rushers that can get to Darnold if the Jets offensive line isn’t up for the task.
Last week was undoubtedly a step in the right direction for New York’s O-line. Now, it’s time to parlay that performance into sustained success. It’s essential to Gang Green’s chances of beating the Patriots.
