5 Keys To A New York Jets Victory Over The Lions On Sunday
If New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh wants to collect a BIG receipt on Sunday, he is going to have to guide his group to a victory over one of the hottest teams in football, don't laugh, the Detroit Lions. Second year head coach Dan Campbell has led his revitalized Lions to a 5-1 record over the last six games. Detroit started the season 1-6 and now the head to MetLife Stadium on Sunday at 1pm, hunting for an NFC playoff birth. The Jets themselves are looking to jump back into the playoff picture. Here are 5 keys to victory for Robert Saleh and Gang Green this week.
1. Protect QB Mike White
The Lions defense has improved, not as much as their offense, but they are better. Rookie defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has 7 sacks on the the season and will be coming after Mike White's tender ribs all day long. The Jets offensive line could not handle Buffalo's pressure. The good thing for the Jets is that Detroit's secondary is awful. Much of the Bills pressure came from excellent defensive backfield coverage. Vikings All Pro wide receiver, Justin Jefferson blew up for 233 yards last week. Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins threw for 425 yards. Protect Mike White and good things will happen on Sunday.
2. Establish A Running Game
The Lions' defensive strength is stopping the run. Last week against the Vikings, Detroit held star running back Dalvin Cook to 23 yards on 15 carries. If the Jets can't run the football, it will be difficult to beat the Lions in a shootout. Jets running back Zonovan "Bam" Knight ran for 71 yards on 17 carries against the Bills on Sunday. A similar performance could seal an important victory for New York.
3. Get Pressure on Lion's QB Jared Goff
The Jets NEED defensive tackle Quinnen Williams on the field. Had he not injured his calf and left the game in the second quarter against Buffalo, who knows? Williams had 2 sacks already on Josh Allen before he left. The Jets are a different team with Williams on the field. New York Daily News NFL writer, Antwan Staley told The Drive with Charlie & Dan last week that Quinnen Williams is one of the best defensive players in the entire NFL. The Jets need to put hits on Jared Goff and not let him get comfortable in the pocket.
4. Shut Down Amon-Ra St. Brown
Since Week 8 of the 2022 Amon-Ra St. Brown has been on fire for Detroit Lions. St. Brown has 82 receptions for 898 yards and most of that coming in the last 7 games. Sauce Gardner will have his hands full and so will the rest of the Jets secondary. However, if Gardner can contain St. Brown, the Lions offense will be severely hindered, giving the Jets a great opportunity for victory.
5. Don't Let The Moment Get Too Big
When the pressure has been on a few times this year, mistakes by the Jets have let games slip away. CJ Mosely's untimely 4th down penalty on Sunday that eventually led to a Buffalo touchdown may not have cost the Jets the game but it was an unnecessary crushing blow to the Jets momentum. Everyone in the stadium knew that Josh Allen was trying to draw the defense offside and Mosely bit the bait. In addition, clock management hasn't been a strong suit for the New York Jets this season. Be prepared for crucial situations and they won't seem so big when they happen. If Robert Saleh can manage to lead his team to accomplishing these five keys, he will collect a big receipt on Sunday.