New York Jets vs. Green Bay Packers: Keys to Victory

Sep 4, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback

Aaron Rodgers

(12) walks back to the locker room following a 36-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Jets fans, week two is almost here, and it is a tough one. Geno Smith, Chris Ivory, Eric Decker, and the rest of Rex Ryan’s New York Jets take on Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy, Jordy Nelson, and the rest of Mike McCarthy’s Green Bay Packers from historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The Jets are coming off their 19-14 win over the Oakland Raiders, and Green Bay is trying to rebound from getting beaten up at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks on opening night.

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It’s not going to be easy for our Jets to take this one. The Packers will not be thrilled coming off of the beating they took in Seattle. In my opinion, the only thing worse than facing a great quarterback, is facing a great quarterback that is frustrated. Aaron Rodgers will be ready to take things out on their next opponent, which just happens to be our very own New York Jets. The Jets can win this one, but they will have to grind. 11 penalties will not make it happen. Here are some keys that CAN make it happen:

RUN THE FOOTBALL: This is huge, as we saw when we watched the Packers take on Seattle. Seattle was able to run on them at will. To be specific, on 37 rushing attempts, the Seahawks ran it at a clip of 5.6 yards per carry. That is domination, and something the Jets can recreate. Between Chris Ivory, Chris Johnson, and a dash of Bilal Powell, the Jets should have the ability to run it down the throats of the Packers. Aside from moving it down the field, it will keep Aaron Rodgers and company off of the field, always a good thing.

GENO’S FEET: The Packers do have a good secondary. Any group that has Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers is going to be able to get after the quarterback. Geno Smith will have to be ready to use his feet. Russell Wilson did last week, to the tune of seven carries for 29 yards. Geno did it well last week for the Jets, he will have to do it again this week. Just remember to slide Geno.

TAKE JORDY NELSON OUT: When facing a prolific passing offense, silencing their best weapon will do great damage. To me, Jordy Nelson is that guy. Last week, he posted game high receiving totals with nine catches for 83 yards. Since 2001, Nelson is one of only two receivers in the league with over 3,000 yards, over 30 touchdowns, and a per catch average of over 15 yards. He is a major threat that the Jets must stop. Dee Milliner is looking more and more like he will be back Sunday, which would be huge. Whomever takes Nelson, they must shut him down. If Jordy Nelson has a big game, it will be over for the Jets, and over fast.

MAKE EDDIE LACY BEAT YOU: Does everyone remember Super Bowl XXV? That’s the one where the Giants held on to beat the Bills, thanks to Scott Norwood and “Wide Right”. In that game, the Giants planned to allow Thurman Thomas to rush for over 100 yards, and concentrate on taking away the pass. This is an idea that could work in this one.

Eddie Lacy is a tough running back, I am not saying he is not. But the element of the Packers to be scared of is not the running game, it never has been. You have to limit Aaron Rodgers and the passing game. Concentrating on the passing attack could come to the detriment of stopping the run. Rush the passer, take away the weapons on top, and the Jets can win this one, even if Eddie Lacy tops the 100 yard mark.

It’s not going to be easy, but the Jets can win this one. We shall see tomorrow.

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