New York Jets: Week by Week Key Players in 2016
With the New York Jets beginning their OTA’s this week, fans are getting excited to see new and old players putting back on the green and white uniforms. Each week of this season, one of these players will be key to winning.
A lot of NFL match-ups every week are decided when an individual player greatly exceeds their typical production. For example, in week four of the 2015 season Chris Ivory went nuts for 29 carries, 166 yards and a touchdown in a division rivalry game against the Dolphins. Ivory was a major key to this game, and his performance sealed the win.
More nfl spin zone: New York Jets: 5 Players that Need to Step Up in 2016
Which players will be the major keys to victories in 2016?
Week One: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Key Player: Darrelle Revis, cornerback
With the departure of Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu, the Bengals depth chart is a little weak at the wide receiver position. Also, Tyler Eifert may miss a few games with an ankle injury. Now more than ever, Andy Dalton will have to force feed AJ Green the ball. This is a tough matchup, and Revis’ cover skills will be crucial to start the year on the right track with a win.
Week Two: at Buffalo Bills
Key Player: Steve McLendon, nose tackle
The Bills have a tremendous rushing attack with LeSean McCoy, Karlos Williams, and quarterback Tyrod Taylor. There is no doubt the loss of Damon Harrison is a big one for the Jets rush defense. Newly acquired Steve McLendon will be tested early in this game, but he has the skills to succeed in this role.
Week Three: at Kansas City Chiefs
Key Player: *Ryan Fitzpatrick, quarterback
Assuming Fitzpatrick re-signs, this week will be key for the veteran to step up. Arrowhead Stadium is an incredibly difficult place to play. The Chiefs ranked in the top 10 in both rush & pass defense in 2015. Fitzpatrick must use his intelligence and play almost flawlessly for the Jets to pull the upset in this tough road match-up.
Week Four: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Key Player: Eric Decker, wide receiver
It was hard to run on or throw on the Seahawks defense in 2015. With Richard Sherman likely covering Brandon Marshall’s side of the field, Decker will need to play well. Brandon Browner has been brought back, and he is a corner that can be thrown at with success.
Week Five: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Key Player: Brandon Marshall, wide receiver
The Steelers do not have any player in their secondary that can cover Marshall on his own. They will even have trouble while double teaming him. The Jets have always had their problems at Heinz Field, so they may be down big in this game and throwing a lot. Either way, expect a huge performance out of Marshall against this weak secondary.
Week Six: at Arizona Cardinals
Key Player: Sheldon Richardson, defensive tackle
If Richardson is suspended to start the season, he would likely be back for this difficult road game. The Cardinals have a prolific pass offense, and were in the bottom half of the league for sacks allowed. However, Carson Palmer can be rattled with pressure up the middle. This is where Richardson can create havoc, and the Jets need him to do so to win this game.
Week Seven: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Key Player: Brandon Marshall, wide receiver
This is the only repeat selection on the list. The Baltimore Ravens went into the off-season without a shutdown corner on their roster, and were unable to find one in free agency or the draft. This is another game where Marshall should dominate. Jimmy Smith or Ladarius Webb will be in for a long day, and the Jets should easily take this win at home.
Week Eight: at Cleveland Browns
Key Player: Bilal Powell, running back
The Browns have blown up their roster, and are in tank mode. Rightly so, as this team as been an embarrassment for years. This is the type of game where the Jets can get up big early (even on the road) and rest some of their veterans in the second half. Powell should dominate the game with carries, and Khiry Robinson could get in the mix as well.
Week Nine: at Miami Dolphins
Key Player: James Carpenter, offensive guard
Plain and simple, Ndamukong Suh was a disappointment for Miami last season. However, he did have a stretch in the second half of the season where he dominated like his old self. I expect more of that this season. This is a game that can be won or lost in the trenches. Carpenter had a great first year for the Jets, and will need to be at the top of his game to help fend off this monster.
Week Ten: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Key Player: Nick Mangold, center
The Rams will struggle offensively with rookie quarterback Jared Goff. The biggest concern in this game comes from the Rams defensive line. To win this game, Nick Mangold needs to play like the perennial Pro Bowler he is. This won’t be an easy day at the office defending against Aaron Donald (rated best defender in the league by Pro Football Focus in 2015), and Michael Brockers (who is a mauling run defender).
Week 11: vs. New England Patriots
Key Player: Leonard Williams, defensive end
In his rookie season, Williams told Rich Cimini of ESPN “I hope that he is my first sack of my career, against Tom Brady.” Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get a sack on Brady in either game. Williams is going to be a star in this league, and I predict he will have more than 10 sacks this season, while also continuing to dominate against the run. One or more of those sacks will come against Brady.
Week 13: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Key Player: Jace Amaro, tight end
The Colts gave up the fifth most yards in the league to tight ends in 2015. They failed to address needs in the linebacker core this off-season, so they should have trouble again defending them. By this point of the season, Fitzpatrick and Amaro should have built some chemistry. Chan Gailey knows he needs to utilize his tight ends more this year, and this could be Amaro’s breakout game.
Week 14: at San Francisco 49ers
Key Player: Devin Smith, wide receiver
Smith had an injury hampered and disappointing rookie season. He is again going to have to play catch-up in the offense since he is recovering from a torn ACL. Late in the season, and in the warm weather of San Francisco, this would be the perfect time to feature the explosive Smith. Of course you can pretty much run at will against this lowly defense, but this could be a time for Smith to prove he was worth that second round pick.
Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins
Key Player: Matt Forte, running back
The Dolphins were horrendous against the run in 2015. Ivory had his way against them last year, and newly acquired Matt Forte should be no different. This December game will likely be played in frigid conditions, which is nothing new to the former Chicago Bear. Forte should be able to find lanes in the passing game as well against this lackluster defense.
Week 16: At New England
Key Player: Calvin Pryor, safety
One of the biggest improvement the Jets made when Todd Bowles took over was their gameplan in defending tight ends. They improved greatly in this aspect, and were the seventh best team in the league in terms of yards allowed against tight ends. The emergence of Pryor in his second year was one of the major reasons for this. In this match-up with Gronkowski, Pryor needs to bring his A game.
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Week 17: vs. Buffalo Bills
Key Player: Muhammad Wilkerson, defensive end
In the first match-up with the Bills last season, Wilkerson was an absolute beast and had Tyrod Taylor running backyards all game. He finished with two sacks and six combined tackles. In the second match-up, Wilkerson unfortunately broke his leg, and the Jets failed to beat the Bills and miss the playoffs. There will be plenty of motivation for Wilkerson to dominate again in this game.