The Jets again have reached a crossroads point in their season, and also face another great opportunity.
They have an interesting matchup ahead in a few aspects.
New York (4-7) will face the reeling Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) at Met Life Sunday afternoon in a position to re-establish themselves back in the AFC playoff hunt and also the chance to snap out of the doldrums of a streak in which they have lost six of their last seven games.
Ironically, Kansas City is in the same situation as they also have lost five of their last six contests, increasing losing their once tightened grip on the AFC West. The Chief will be making their second trip to Met Life in three weeks. Their high-powered offense that has been in low gear for almost two months was throttled by the Giants, 12-9.
With both teams desperately needing a win for different reasons, there will be more added drama with ex-Jet Darrelle Revis making his season debut in the Chiefs’ secondary. Revis, who hasn’t been active since his release by the Jets last February, was signed Nov. 22 to help a depleted Chiefs’ secondary.
“I still think he can play,” said Jets’ head coach Todd Bowles about Revis.
The Jets will be looking to snap their fourth-quarter conundrums that have plague their throughout the season.
Their latest was a Josh McCown fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Carolina last Sunday as well as a punt return brought back for a score. It was a game in which the Jets clearly outplayed the Panthers and held Cam Newton in check all afternoon, as the ever-stable defense allowed 21 points in the 35-27 defeat.
The Jets again will have to put the ball in the air against Kansas City, ranked 29th in the league in pass defense.
McCown, who was 19-for-36 for 307 yards and three touchdowns, will have to keep the ball in the air against Kansas City. Robbie Anderson, who caught six balls for 146 yards and a pair of touchdowns, has emerged as the team’s deep threat.
Fellow wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (7-for 105 yards, TD) could also be in for a big day.
But the Jets will need to get their running game going to take some pressure off the offensive line. They accumulated 109 yards against Carolina last week. Bilal Powell was the leading rusher with 34 yards.
Defensively, the Jets must bring the same kind of pressure that registered three sacks against Newton last week. It could play a huge part in rattling quarterback Alex Smith, hearing rumblings about being replaced by rookie Pat Mahomes.
The Jets also will need to shutdown running back Kareem Hunt (890 yards), who has been bottled up the past two weeks. Tight end Travis Kelce (77 catches, 5 TDs) looms as their main threat.
“We expect to see a very good Kansas City team,” added Bowles. “They have a lot of speed and are a very good football team. We have to be ready.”