3 Keys to Victory!!!
The stage is set for “Sunday Night Football” this week, as the New York Jets play host to the defending champion Chiefs. The Jets are 0-2 since winning their season opener, while the Chiefs are 2-0 since losing in their opener. The Chiefs found their groove last week vs. the Bears in a 41-10 butt whooping. Reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes didn’t even finish the game, as the Chiefs dropped a whopping 34 points in just the first half. As for the Jets, Robert Saleh is attempting to convince the fanbase if Zach Wilson is the best man under center for the Jets. Oh yeah, Taylor Swift will be there too. With that being said, here are the 3 keys for the Chiefs to beat the Jets on Sunday.
Sources: Taylor Swift plans to be in attendance for the #Chiefs vs #Jets game to watch Travis Kelce.
Everyone getting together for Sunday Night Football at MetLife Stadium. pic.twitter.com/QLxXzqjvsD
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 27, 2023
Attack Sauce Gardner early:
At the beginning of the season, the Jets boasted one of the best cornerback duos in Sauce Gardner and DJ Reed. But the team has struggled trying to get the same consistent production from Gardner like last season. Gardner has allowed 80.0% of his passes completed and one of the league worst 121.9 passer rating allowed in 3 games including a 109.7 passer rating allowed against zone coverage, the Chiefs would be wise to attack this weakness. Whether it’s just Marquez Valdes-Scantling, or potentially Justin Watson, the Chiefs should target their receivers (and Kelce, (who could also see the coverage when lining up out wide) early and often to try to exploit this flaw in the Jets defense and move the ball down the field.
Jake Ferguson TD!
The @DallasCowboys' hot start to the season continues.
📺: #NYJvsDAL on CBS⁰📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/IjGYRudORV
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023
Focus on applying pressure on Zach Wilson:
While the Jets’ offensive line has improved over the last two weeks, they still have a weak link or two that need to be accounted for. Mekhi Becton and Aija Vera-Tucker form a reliable offensive tackle duo. And while the starting trio of Laken Tomlinson, Conner McGovern and rookie Joe Tipperman have performed well this year, they have been a liability at times. According to PFF, McGovern has allowed 10 quarterback pressures this season, which is most among centers. Going after McGovern seems like a wise decision for the Chiefs if they want to try and slow down the Jets’ dangerous run attack and the passing performance of Zach Wilson.
Christian Barmore continues to have a good game.
With 2:30 left in the game, he collapsed the interior pocket and blew up the play. Zach Wilson could only threw the ball away. #Jets #Patriots pic.twitter.com/mCVTyIQlrI
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) September 24, 2023
Gameplan on using Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon in the receiving game:
Pacheco and McKinnon form one of the best (if not the best) running back duos in the NFL today. Not only for their abilities in the run game, but also for what they bring to the Chiefs’ potent aerial assault led by Mahomes. On 14 receptions, they combined for 100 yards and two touchdowns (McKinnon scored two last week). What may be even more impressive is that of those 100 yards, 27 of them came after the catch according to PFR. The Chiefs face a Jets defense that are giving up the fifth most receiving yards to running backs (122) this season.
With the Jets secondary trio of Gardner, Reed and Jordan Whitehead, the Chiefs will have a tough time moving downfield with their wide receivers. Using two of the better pass-catching running backs in the league against a team that allows quite a bit of yardage and receptions (20 catches allowed, third most in league) will likely prove to be a solid method of moving the chains against one of the best statistical defenses in the league since last season.
Since Week 13 of last season, Jerick McKinnon leads the NFL in receiving touchdowns with 10. The next closest players are tied with seven. pic.twitter.com/6ICxWzp7dn
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) September 25, 2023
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