New York Jets: Three keys to victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars

Establish a Pass Rush

I have said it each week to date and I will continue by saying it this week. The Jets must establish a pass rush. This quarterback, as will any quarterback in the league, pick them apart if given all day to throw. New York must knock Blake Bortles off of his spot. Even if they don’t get there each time, he has to know that they are coming. He must hear footsteps.

No quarterback is as good under pressure as they are with a clean pocket. Bortles is no different. According to Pro Football Focus, Bortles’ passer rating against a blitz is 68.2, good for 29th in the NFL. Against pressure, his rating drops to 60.3, although his ranking jumps to 23rd. The chances will be there, as his line is only giving him 2.76 seconds to throw, 24th in the league. The line is beatable.

The Jets have the horses to get there. Muhammad Wilkerson may be nursing a sprained shoulder, and it could be something he deals with all year long. Doesn’t he seem to be continuously hurt since he got paid? Sorry, that’s for another discussion. Leonard Williams could see his name on the sack totals this week. After seven last year it would be nice to see him get his first. What about Kony Ealy? Maybe we could even get a surprise sack from a guy like Jamal Adams. He seems able to do just about everything else.

Next: Win against Miami was good for the Jets

Despite the way Jacksonville played against the Ravens across the pond, this is a winnable game for New York. They could very possibly be 2-2 by the time this week is over. Some fans won’t be happy because they feel that the quarterback of the future will be slipping away. The truth is that nobody really knows how these players will turn out. There are booms and busts all over the draft, not just at the top. We will see how the draft scenario plays out when the time comes.