The New York Jets have reached a point where another close loss cannot be mistaken for meaningful progress.
Last week's 28-25 defeat at the hands of the Miami Dolphins
was especially frustrating because New York had opportunities to win but failed to execute in critical moments against a winless team. Now, the Jets (2-5) return to MetLife Stadium with a chance to respond against another team dealing with a losing streak.The Las Vegas Raiders arrive at 3-4 after four consecutive defeats, including a 35-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Despite that skid, Las Vegas remains capable of putting points on the board, making this more than a matchup against a team simply waiting to be beaten.
For head coach Aaron Glenn and the Jets, the challenge is turning
a favorable opportunity into a result. These are the keys to getting back into the win column in Week 8.
With that, here are Jets Wire's five keys to Sunday's game:
Turn offensive production into touchdowns
The Jets generated 377 net yards against Miami, their highest single-game total of the season, yet still came away with a three-point loss. That performance illustrated the difference between moving the football and doing enough with it to win.
The Raiders' defense enters Week 8 allowing approximately 373.7 yards per game. New York should have opportunities to move the ball, but it must finish drives rather than settle for field goals or surrender possessions in scoring territory. The offense needs to turn its yardage advantage into points before another close game comes down to the final minutes.
Give Braelon Allen room to keep producing
Braelon Allen has provided a dependable foundation for the Jets' offense, recording 357 rushing yards over his past four starts, the second-highest total in the league during that span. His increased involvement as a receiver has also given Smith another way to move the chains.
Las Vegas has struggled to contain opposing rushing attacks, and the Rams recently had two running backs approach the 100-yard mark against the Raiders. New York should use that vulnerability to establish a balanced attack, forcing the defense to respect the run while creating favorable passing opportunities. Allen and Breece Hall were both limited in Wednesday's practice, however, so their availability bears watching.
Keep the Raiders' running game contained and pressure Kirk Cousins
The Raiders have failed to reach 100 rushing yards in a game since Week 3, including a season-low 49 yards against the Rams. If New York can continue that trend, it can force Cousins to shoulder more of the offensive workload.
The Jets have recorded 19 sacks this season, ranking seventh in the NFL. Their defensive front must rediscover its disruptive form, although Wednesday's injury report listed David Bailey and Joseph Ossai as nonparticipants. Their availability could be important to New York's ability to pressure Cousins without sacrificing coverage discipline.
Don't let Brock Bowers and Tre Tucker dictate the game
Las Vegas has two particularly dangerous receiving threats in Brock Bowers and Tre Tucker. Bowers has accumulated 455 receiving yards despite missing the first two games of the season, while Tucker has 474 yards and four touchdowns through seven games.
Bowers is also dealing with a calf injury, which led to limited participation in Wednesday's practice. He's dangerous if he plays. The Raiders lead the league in offensive usage of two-tight-end personnel, frequently putting Bowers and Michael Mayer on the field together. That creates matchup problems for defenses that struggle to account for multiple receiving threats while respecting the run. New York must communicate effectively, limit yards after the catch, and prevent Tucker from turning short opportunities into explosive plays.
Protect the football against a turnover-hungry defense
The Raiders enter Week 8 with a plus-4 turnover differential, tied for the sixth-best mark in the league. Their defense has intercepted five passes, giving New York another reason to be cautious when Smith looks for opportunities downfield.
The Jets cannot afford to give Las Vegas extra possessions through careless throws or ball-security mistakes. Smith has thrown ten touchdowns against two interceptions this season, so the priority should be maintaining that efficiency rather than forcing difficult plays. New York's defense must also look for opportunities to create takeaways of its own.
The bottom line
The Raiders' losing streak makes this a winnable matchup, but it does not guarantee an easy afternoon. New York has enough offensive talent and pass-rushing ability to take advantage of Las Vegas' weaknesses, provided the Jets avoid the mistakes that have repeatedly undermined their performances.
For the Jets, the most important step is proving they can execute when opportunities arise. A more disciplined performance at MetLife Stadium would give New York a chance to end its skid and prevent another competitive game from slipping away.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 5 keys to a Jets win vs. the Raiders in Week 8
