How the New York Jets can Follow the Seattle Blueprint

Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back

(24) runs against the Denver Broncos during the third quarter in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

We learned on Sunday that despite the fact that the NFL is a pass-first league, that defense and running the football still wins championships. The Seattle Seahawks proved that on the biggest stage of them all by taking down the Broncos to win Super Bowl 48.

But, what can the Jets learn from this? We have the front office member now running the team, in John Idzik, that came from Seattle. He might not have been the general manager, but he certainly was a big part of putting together this Seattle franchise.

The Jets have already begun building in the Seattle style. They play good defense, and run the football. That’s the general outline. Obviously, the Jets aren’t nearly as far along in the process as Seattle is. That’s clear. Here are three steps that can happen in one year that will bring them farther along in that process:

GET A BIG PLAY WEAPON: This is of utmost importance for this team to go forward. This offense absolutely has to have a player that creates fear in the opponent. Whether it is a free agent, like Eric Decker, or Jimmy Graham for example, or through the draft, it has to happen.

It doesn’t have to be the best player in the league. There are no Megatrons on that roster in Seattle. There is a Percy Harvin, that even though he didn’t play a lot in 2013, he was a weapon to worry about in the Super Bowl. That is what the Jets need.

END THE RUNNING BACK BY COMMITTEE PLAN: Despite the fact that many teams use the system, the Jets need to end this running back by committee system. Why? It doesn’t work. It doesn’t give a running back a chance to get untracked. Coming in and out of every game never lets the player get settled, and get the running game untracked.

Look at Seattle, they have a bell cow running back. His name is Marshawn Lynch. Robert Turbin does come in as a change of pace, but that is all he is. He carried the ball 77 times in 2013.

Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell 182 and 176 times respectively. That is too even. Neither one can establish themselves. Chris Ivory has the ability to be that lead running back. Let him do it, and use Bilal as a change of pace. It will benefit the running attack in the end.

CREATE TURNOVERS: As little as the Jets’ offense did to help the defense, the defense didn’t always do the offense favors either. With only 13 interceptions and two fumble recoveries, they didn’t often given the offense a short field to work with.

The Seahawks recorded 28 interceptions and 17 forced fumbles, recovering 11 of them. We saw what it did for them in the regular season, and the difference it made in the Super Bowl.

Whether it can be done from the players here, or they need to bring in from the outside, the Jets need to create more turnovers.

These are three steps the Jets can take to follow in the footsteps of the Seattle Seahawks.