It was a great start to the 2015 campaign, New York Jets‘ fans. Sunday, the Jets dominated the Cleveland Browns, winning by a score of 31-10. Browns’ QB Johnny Manziel had some moments after replacing Josh McCown, but the Jets’ defense had him rattled, and took it to him.
The basics of winning in the NFL aren’t difficult to grasp. Win the turnover battle, and you will win more often than not. The Jets won the turnover battle 5-1. Other than the Ryan Fitzpatrick interception, the Jets’ offense played a clean game, while the defense was all over the field. The Jets took the ball away, and turned it into points. To put things in perspective, the Jets did not record five takeaways until week five in 2014. This is the type of defense that the Jets’ faithful have been waiting for.
Win the battle at the line of scrimmage, and you will also win a lot of football games. The Jets allowed no sacks and ran for over four yards per carry, while the Browns allowed three sacks and ran for under three yards per carry. When the offensive line is going strong, your offense will go strong. The Jets’ offensive line has all of the makings of a return to the strength of previous years.
The Jets also won the battle for fewest penalties, with four compared to the Browns’ 12. It’s really not hard to understand what happened here.
Ryan Fitzpatrick wasn’t flashy, but he got the job done. Other than the one interception, he put the Jets’ in the best possible position on every play. He was efficient, going 15-24 for 179 yards and two touchdowns to go along with one interception. He had great chemistry with his receivers, throwing a touchdown to both Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. The Marshall plan was a thing of beauty, using Marshall’s height with the greatest of ease. Get used to plays like that, Jets’ fans. We are going to see them a lot.
(Sept. 12, 2015 – Source: Rich Schultz/Getty Images North America) via Zimbio.com
By the way, Brandon Marshall is going to drive this passing game, ladies and gentlemen. He has great hands, doesn’t drop a pass, and his presence in the red zone is a huge difference. The touchdown from one yard out will be open all day, every day.
Don’t forget the play where he stripped the ball away after the interception. That play could have been the turning point. At the time it was 14-10, and it would have been a red zone turnover. Those types of plays have a way of taking the air out of everyone. If that play goes the other way, and even if it is just a field goal to make it 14-13, all of a sudden it is a different football game. The heads up play by Marshall saved the Jets’ momentum.
(Sept. 12, 2015 – Source: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images North America) via Zimbio.com
Chris Ivory will drive this offense. Jets’ fans and fantasy owners, get ready for this guy to have a career year. On Sunday, he ran the ball 20 times for 91 yards and a touchdown. He bullied through the line like he always has, and also looked faster than in previous years. Chris Ivory is one of the most underrated running backs in the league, and is a move that we should all be thankful to John Idzik for as Jets’ fans.
It was a great opening day for Todd Bowles, but next week it gets harder, as the Jets take on the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football.
Now, we give thanks for the fact that Lorenzo Mauldin only has a concussion, and we wait for the results of Antonio Cromartie‘s MRI.
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