New York Jets: Three keys to victory over the Oakland Raiders

Win the Time of Possession Battle

They say that possession is 9/10 of the law. The Raiders offense is lethal. Derek Carr posted an adjusted completion percentage of 81.1 (per Pro Football Focus). That, my friends, is an accurate passer. He doesn’t miss. His options are deadly. His combination with Amari Cooper is becoming one of the best duos in the entire league. Add Marshawn Lynch and it’s no surprise that the Raiders put up 26 points on the Titans. They will likely do that quite often.

How do you slow down an offense that can beat you every way possible? Don’t let them have the football, that’s how. To have a chance in this game, the Jets must win the time of possession battle. The Raiders posted 31:39 of time of possession against the Titans. That can’t happen. The Jets have to establish a running game and produce long drives. They have to keep Derek Carr and company off of the field. They can’t score if they don’t have the football.

38 yards rushing will never cut it against any football team. That is the number the Jets posted week one against the Bills. 16 yards out of Matt Forte, along with two dropped passes, is a horrible performance and it must change. Bilal Powell posting 22 yards wasn’t much better. If they perform that way it will be ugly in Oakland. These two must be able to grind out yardage and keep the Raiders offense off of the field.