The New York Jets face the Kansas City Chiefs in a matchup of two slumping teams in Week 13. Here are three keys to victory for Gang Green.
The battle between two floundering teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets, takes place at MetLife Stadium this Sunday. The Jets are 4-7 and have lost five of their last six games while the Chiefs (6-5) have also dropped five of their last six and are hanging on for dear life in first place in the AFC West.
This should be one for the time capsule, right?
After such a promising start, it’s been a total free fall for Gang Green. They have to be the most frustrating squad to watch in the NFL because New York could easily be 7-4 if Todd Bowles’ squad just knew how to close games out (more on that later).
Let’s take a look at three keys to victory for New York against Kansas City in Week 13:
3. Contain Travis Kelce
The Jets have had issues covering quality tight ends over the years and Kelce is the best in the business in 2017. The two-time Pro Bowler leads all tight ends in receptions (62) and receiving yards (777) while adding five touchdowns as well. While the Chiefs have collapsed like a cheap tent, Kelce has continued to play at an elite level. He has compiled four 100+ receiving-yard games already this season, including a 133-yard effort against Denver in Week Eight.
Struggling Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith looks for Kelce down the seam so safety Jamal Adams and the Jets linebackers are going to have quite a challenge on their hands. Fellow safety Marcus Maye will have to lend support over the top to make sure that the University of Cincinnati product doesn’t bust the game wide open.
Gang Green can’t forget about speedy wide receiver Tyreek Hill either, obviously, but Kelce is Smith’s security blanket and the player most likely to move the chains with a reception on a key third down. The Jets have to keep him under control in order to stand a solid chance to win this Sunday. It certainly won’t be easy.