Jets vs. Colts Preview: New York travels to Indianapolis on Monday Night

from: ballhogsblog.wordpress.com

The New York Jets will have their work cut out for them this week as they take on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday Night Football.

The Jets are coming off a good 31-10 win against the Browns, while the Colts are coming off a disappointing 27-14 loss in Buffalo last weekend. The Colts will be looking to redeem themselves in their home opener. If the Jets want to keep the game close and come out with a win, here is what they have to do:

1. Limit Andrew Luck – It is very difficult to shut down Andrew Luck. All the Jets can hope to do is to limit him. Last week, he threw for 243 yards along with two touchdown passes, and that was against Buffalo’s defense which could be a top five defense in the NFL. Like the Bills, the Jets defense simply cannot let Luck throw for 400+ yards and three touchdowns. The Jets offense isn’t good enough to keep pace when Luck is at his best.
2. Chris Ivory – Chris Ivory has to have a good game. Without the run, the Jets’ offense will not be effective because they will become one dimensional, and they cannot rely on just the passing game.  Last week, Ivory rushed for 91 yards with a pair of touchdowns and I think he needs to have a similar performance. The Jets are a run first team and they pass the ball to compliment the run. If Chris Ivory doesn’t play well, then the offense will not be good enough to win.
3. Ryan Fitzpatrick – Fitzpatrick is going to be a key to victory every week because I believe he may implode at any given time. His job is not to be the focal point of the offense – he does not need to throw for 300+ yards and three touchdowns. It would be nice if he did, but it is not the game plan. If he starts throwing the ball too much, he will most likely throw an interception or two eventually and the Jets can not afford turnovers when playing against Andrew Luck in Indy. Fitzpatrick just has to be smart and efficient with the football.
4. Darrelle Revis – Revis will have a tough matchup this week in T.Y. Hilton who had seven receptions for 88 yards last week. But with Andrew Luck throwing to him, Hilton is a receiver that can explode any given week. Revis will have to lock him down to limit Luck’s success.

Here’s my prediction: The Jets for some reason have never had much success on Monday Night Football. They are 19-27 all time in Monday Night games while the Colts are 20-14.  Along with that, I don’t see the Colts losing their home opener after under-performing in Buffalo last week. Colts win 23-13.