Keys to Sunday's Game Against the Bills

by Alanschech

Here are some keys to the Jets Sunday game against the Bills, as they begin to pick up the pieces and salvage a season:

More Balanced Offensive Attack

This team was most successful last season when they had a balanced attack of running and passing. They have gotten away from this a lot this year, throwing a lot more than they run. Last time these 2 teams played, week 4, the Jets ran the ball 19 times versus 40 passing plays. Thomas Jones only carried the ball 12 times. This does not play into their strengths, and is not a prescription for victory. Thomas Jones needs the ball early and often, and this will free up the passing lanes for Chad Pennington.

More Leon Washington in the Offense

Leon Washington has been an effective change of pace runner, he provides a different style to Thomas Jones, and gives the offense a speed element out of the backfield, but must be used as an integral part of the offense. In week 4 against the Bills, he ran the ball only 4 times for 24 yards and a touchdown, a 6 yard per carry average, while the team only averaged 3.2. Buffalo clearly had a difficult time stopping him, use him more often.

No More "Prevent Offense"

I use the term "prevent offense" to define how the team has tended to go into a shell with the playcalling with the lead. A telling case and point was last Sunday against the Bengals, up 10-3 in the second quarter, Hank Poteat intercepts Carson Palmer and sets the offense up first down at the Bengals 25. Instead of attacking, the Jets call 2 runs and a jump ball pass and settle for a field goal. Too conservative, "prevent offense", which prevents you from winning. After going ahead 23-10, the Jets recorded one first down other than via penalty before the score became 31-23 Bengals. They are playing too conservative with the lead, and that is preventing them from keeping their leads.

Eliminate the Stupid Mistakes

A hallmark of Mangini's tenure so far has been a lack of stupid mistakes by the team. This however has started to change, especially last week. To win, there cannot be any miscommunication on snaps, no penalties to extend drives, or any other stupid mistakes that get in the way of victory.

Defense Plays a Full Game

Some time this season the defense needs to play a full 60 minutes of football. Someway they need to get after the quarterback and create some havoc and disruptions for the Bills. Keep Marshawn Lynch under wraps for the whole game, and don't give Trent Edwards time to find Lee Evans and Co. down the field. And please make a stop at important points of the game. If they could have made one stop last week with the lead, it could have changed the whole game. If the offense puts up points, the defense needs to make it stick. Stop the running game, disrupt the passing game, get some key stops, during the entire game, not only the first half.

If the Jets can come up with these key elements on Sunday, they will have a good chance of finally recording a victory.

I'll be at the game on Sunday, so barring any dramatic news from the team prior to the game, I will be back on Sunday night with my report after returning from the game. Go Jets!