New York Jets vs. Chicago Bears: Keys to Victory

Sep 14, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Jets running back

Chris Ivory

(33) is tackled by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker

A.J. Hawk

(50) during the second half of a game at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Tomorrow night, our New York Jets take their game to primetime! On Monday Night Football, Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall and the rest of the Chicago Bears come into MetLife to face Geno Smith, Chris Johnson, Muhammad Wilkerson, and the rest of our beloved New York Jets. Both teams enter the game 1-1, the Bears coming off of a 28-20 victory in San Francisco, and the Jets, as we know, come off of a 31-24 loss in Green Bay.

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This is another tough one for the Jets. Jay Cutler is another quarterback in the line of tough ones the Jets have to face, and we know that he is not short on weapons. The Jets, especially the secondary, are going to have their hands full. But the game is winnable. Here are some keys to the game (in slideshow format):

RUN THAT BALL: This is just another week that the running game is going to have to dominate the day for the New York Jets. For the young season, the Bears have allowed 160 yards per game on the ground, and opposing running backs are carrying the rock at a 5.2 yards per carry clip, which plays right into the Jets’ hands. The Jets have been averaging five yards per carry so far, and this will be key. It will be effective, and allow the Jets to keep Jay Cutler and company off of the field.

Sep 14, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) gets a pass away from Green Bay Packers linebacker

Julius Peppers

(56) in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

EFFICIENT GENO SMITH: I know this is an obvious one, but it still is worth mentioning. The first two games have been a tale of two different Geno Smiths. He was strong in both games, but he was far better in the first game. Geno completed 82% of his passes against the Raiders in week one, and 50% in week two against the Packers. The Jets need an efficient Geno Smith in order to win this one. Accurate throws, and good decisions.

Sep 14, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback

Aaron Rodgers

(12) evades the tackle of New York Jets outside linebacker

Quinton Coples

(98) during the second quarter of a game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

BLITZ JAY CUTLER EARLY AND OFTEN: No quarterback likes to face a constant blitz, and Jay Cutler is no different. Cutler’s QB rating when not facing the blitz is a whopping 108.1, but drops to 44.9 when blitzed. Give him different looks at get after him. It takes away the weapons of Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall getting down the field. Cutler averages 4.8 yards per attempt when blitzed, but over six yards per throw when not under the blitz. That is a big difference. They can help out the secondary a great deal by blitzing Jay Cutler as often as possible.

Sep 14, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Jets cornerback

Darrin Walls

(30) defends a pass to Green Bay Packers wide receiver

Jordy Nelson

(87) in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

BIG NIGHT FROM THE CORNERBACKS: Clearly the Jets need a big night on the outside on defense. It may be a blessing in disguise that Dee Milliner is doubtful. He did not look ready to go last week. However, that puts the onus on Darrin Walls and Antonio Allen. They are going to have to prevent big games out of Marshall and Jeffery for the Jets to have any chance to win tomorrow night.

What the keys in your mind, Jets fans?

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