Kansas City Chiefs

Jets vs Chiefs: Top 3 ways Gang Green earns victory

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:40 p.m. ET

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In the Jets vs Chiefs Week 3 matchup, Gang Green can leave Arrowhead Stadium victorious if they stick to these top three strategies.

Sep 15, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass as Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Adolphus Washington (92) rushes during the second half at New Era Field. The Jets beat the Bills 37-31. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets (1-1) tour of 2015 NFL Playoff teams (and the Buffalo Bills) to start the season continues as they travel to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Kansas City Chiefs (1-1). Coming off a bruising defeat at the hands of Houston Texans, the Chiefs will look to their noisy fans to give the lift they need to win.

Of course, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick lit up the Buffalo Bills in their house to lead the Jets to a hard fought 37-31 victory, showing he’s not bothered by a little noise.

It has been nearly 20 years since the Jets won a game in Arrowhead, when quarterback Vinny Testaverde marched the Jets downfield, setting up a game-winning John Hall field goal with no time left. The Jets walked out with a 20-17 victory during the 1998 season and have not won there since. If the Jets are to leave a tough stadium with a win, they will need to accomplish three things.

Here is how the Jets can earn their second win of the season.

Sep 15, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

3. Ryan Fitzpatrick must continue to eliminate errors 

The history of Fitzpatrick has been one where you can count on at least 5-8 passes a game that are head scratchers. I’m not just saying standard incompletes, I’m saying passes that either should never have been thrown or completely miss the mark. Sometimes even hitting the hands of a defender.

In Buffalo, against a team he has not had success against, Fitzpatrick may have played his best game as a Jet. Fitzpatrick threw for 374 yards with a touchdown and most importantly, no turnovers.

You didn’t even see the random erratic throw. This is the type of game that if done with consistency gets you the multi-year big bucks deal he held out for in the first place. It’s also the type of game you need to have in an environment like Arrowhead where mistakes only snowball when the fans start to get loud.

If the Jets are able to win this game, he will have to come close to his performance in Buffalo and continue playing near error free football. When his game is working, running back Matt Forte will be able to find lanes and control the tempo of the game in his own way, as he did in Buffalo.

Sep 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) runs with the ball during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

2. Keep quarterback Alex Smith under control

Smith has played two completely different games this season. In the Week 1, Smith was able to overcome a brutal start to spearhead the greatest comeback in Chiefs’ history by throwing for 363 yards and two scores.

When given time, Smith is an agile, accurate passer, capable of orchestrating a high-flying offense. Included in that is heavy use on the running back in the West Coast passing system of head coach Andy Reid.

Running back Spencer Ware, filling in for Jamaal Charles, exploded for 129 receiving yards. The Jets will need to follow the game script of the Houston Texans defense, who were able to create pressure and containment against Smith.

This pressure prevented the Chiefs from scoring a touchdown and got to Smith four times. This fits right into the Jets’ defensive blueprint this season as their front has been relentless in their pursuit of quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Tyrod Taylor.

1. Revis Island needs to be protected

It has become apparent, starting last season with DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins, that Darrelle Revis is no longer a shutdown corner. He still is a good corner, savvy enough to read a quarterback and anticipate plays, but he’s not the same player anymore.

If he is left to cover a receiver downfield, he will  continue to be embarrassed. To this end, the staff has to make sure this doesn’t happen. Thankfully, the Chiefs aren’t known for taking a lot of deep shots but when you see how vulnerable your opponent is to that, you may just start.

Head Coach Todd Bowles and his staff will need to find a way to maximize what Revis can still do while making sure the Chiefs are not allowed the big plays that kept Buffalo in the game last Thursday night.

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