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New York Jets: Chris Ivory will be X-Factor in Week 2

By Nick Ziegler

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The New York Jets will be facing the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football in their first true test of the season.

More on Empire Writes Back: Week 1 NFL Power Rankings.

Since the Colts have drafted Andrew Luck with the first overall pick, they have been one of the most successful teams in the AFC. The Colts have seen a lot of success in the regular season with Luck, but they haven’t been able to get over the hump in the playoffs.

This offseason, the Colts made a few big moves to bring in veterans like Frank Gore and Andre Johnson to hopefully help them reach their goals this season.

One of the reasons for some of the Colts’ struggles has been their inability to stop the running game of opposing teams.

In their Week, 1 loss to the Bills, the running game of Buffalo was a problem for the Colts and it led to an opening week loss. Bills’ starting running back LeSean McCoy has been hampered by a minor hamstring injury so far this season and he wasn’t all that effective against the Colts. McCoy totaled 41 rushing yards on 17 carries, but the Colts struggled to stop his teammates.

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Karlos Williams was the big performer against the Colts’ defense, as he totaled 55 rushing yards on six carries with one rushing touchdown. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor also added 41 rushing yards for a team total of 147 rushing yards.

The formula to beat high-powered offenses like the Colts is to keep their great quarterbacks on the sideline, and that is what the Jets will try and do on Monday night.

One of the main reasons why the Jets were victorious in Week 1 was that they were able to run the ball magnificently against the Cleveland Browns.

Chris Ivory is now the primary running back for the Jets after two good seasons in New York. In Week 1, Ivory totaled 91 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Like the Browns, the Colts present the opportunity for Ivory to have a big game.

With the Jets being decent underdogs on the road, they can certainly use a big game for Ivory to help them control the pace of the game and keep Luck on the sideline. Ivory was listed as questionable heading into Monday night with a groin injury, but it is looking good for him to be close to 100% for the Monday Night showdown.

If the Jets are going to upset the Colts, Ivory must be their x-factor to control the game and keep Luck and the Colts’ offense of the field.

Next: Who is the greatest first round pick in franchise history?

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