After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Jets-Texans matchup.
1. New York will try and establish the run: Being on the road in the opening game of the season, the Jets will likely lean on the running game. Talented Jets ball carrier Thomas Jones led the AFC in rushing and is a key to their offensive success. Houston has a talented defensive front, but New York matches up well in the trenches and will stay with a hard-nosed ground attack to control the tempo of the game.
2. Expect high percentage passes from the Jets' rookie signal caller: High profile quarterback Mark Sanchez is very talented but will likely have a game plan that will give him some high-percentage passes in his NFL debut. Houston is a tough place to play (crowd noise, etc.) and getting the ball to his athletic tight end (Dustin Keller), backs and receivers on short and intermediate routes is the offense coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will design for Sanchez.
3. Flush Schaub out of the pocket: Houston quarterback Matt Schaub is an excellent rhythm passer who can exploit a defense when given time in the pocket. Schaub isn't a great improviser out of the pocket, and inside pressure is what defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and head coach Rex Ryan will design for this week's match up. Look for massive nose tackle Kris Jenkins to push the pocket inside as well as linebacker blitzes in the "A" gaps to disrupt the Texans' air assault.
4. Jets will focus on corralling Steve Slaton: The New York defense is missing two of their better players for the opener (Shaun Ellis and Calvin Pace) and will need to keep talented running back Slaton from picking up chunks of yards. Slaton is one of the more explosive young backs in the league, and keeping him hemmed in with proper angles, leveraging the ball and solid open field tackling will be a priority.
5. Matchup to watch (Jets CB Darrelle Revis vs. Texans WR Andre Johnson): Darrelle is considered one of the better young defenders at his position but will have his hands full with one of the most physical and talented wide receivers in the league, Andre Johnson. Revis led the team in interceptions (five) and passes defended (sixteen) in 2008 and is the Jets' best chance of covering Johnson effectively. Look for defensive-minded head coach Ryan to design bracket coverage to help Revis with this matchup.
6. Houston will spread the ball around: The Texans have several talented targets in the passing game who will be tough matchups for the Jets' defense. With Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter on the perimeter, tight end Owen Daniels stretching the seams and Slaton out of the backfield, the Texans offense can set the tempo of the contest if they spread the ball around. It's likely that head coach Gary Kubiak will script the first several plays designed to attack all levels of the field.
7. Expect the Houston defense to mix things up: With a rookie quarterback in hostile territory in the opening game, we should look for Texans defensive coordinator Frank Bush to disguise coverages and mix up pressure packages. It will be important to make Sanchez go through his progression by taking away his first option with different looks in the secondary and utilizing some delayed blitzes.
8. Look for Slaton to get the ball in space: Second-year running back Slaton is most effective on the perimeter and in space. He can pick up chunks of yards when he hits a crease, averaging almost five yards per carry in 2008. Slaton has good hands and can be dangerous on screens and option routes. Look for Kubiak to design plays specifically to get his talented running back in space, as he is much less effective in a confined area.
9. Look for the Texans to make a big play in the kicking game: Houston has two very talented return specialists in Jacoby Jones and Andre Davis. Both players have excellent speed and instincts to hit a crease and make a big play, but the Jets have been very solid with their coverage units. Look for a wrinkle or two (a reverse or throwback) in this contest to spring either Jones or Davis.
10. Matchup to watch (Texans RDE Mario Williams vs. Jets LOT D'Brickashaw Ferguson): This should be an excellent battle between two high-profile first-round players. Both lineman were considered to be the best at their respective positions in the 2006 draft and have played at a high level during their four-year careers. Williams has developed powerful counters to collapse the pocket off of his initial speed rush move. Ferguson wins with his length and athleticism to keep defenders at bay but may have a tough time anchoring effectively against the explosive power of Williams.
