The New York Jets will open up Week 1 at home against the Baltimore Ravens on 9/11/2022.

New York on the 21st anniversary of 9/11 is expected to be an even more emotionally-charged environment than usual. Expectations are for the stadium to be electric and passionate as the hard-nosed Baltimore Ravens come to town.

The Ravens are currently 6.5 point favorites over Gang Green. It’s a well assembled, talented roster put together by one of the most consistent and well-run front offices in the NFL. 

Offensive Threats

Lamar Jackson is the obvious first name that comes to mind when thinking of the Ravens offense. The dynamic quarterback has set a Week 1 deadline for a contract extension, but there’s virtually no chance he sits out of the game. Jackson is the league’s premier duel-threat quarterback: just as lethal with his legs as with his arm. The former NFL MVP has only played the Jets once, where he threw for 212 yards and 5 touchdowns. He scrambled for an additional 86 yards on the ground.

 While the Baltimore offense doesn’t pose any major wide receiving threats, the Jets will need to find an answer for star tight end Mark Andrews. The Jets have struggled season by season to effectively matchup against opposing tight ends. Andrews was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro selection last season, after posting 1,361 receiving yards. He had the most yards of all tight ends, and finished 5th league-wide. 

Defensive Problems

Despite the Jets pursuit, Baltimore landed a young star safety in Marcus Williams during the free agency period. Williams posted an 84.3 coverage rating by PFF in his last season with the Saints, along with a 50% completion rating. He possesses unique center-fielding abilities that can cause problems for whoever starts at quarterback for the Jets, whether Zach Wilson is back in time, or Joe Flacco gets the call. Williams will start next to rookie draft pick Kyle Hamilton, which solidifies a secondary that also boasts two All Pro selections in Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey starting at cornerback.

Long story short, this Raven’s secondary is really really really good. 

Keys to Victory

When I played in college, before every game we’d sit down as a team and discuss what both the offense and the defense needed to focus on to secure victory. We’re doing the same thing in these Flight Plans.

Defensively, Gang Green needs to contain Jackson. With limited options for pass catchers, Baltimore will rely heavily on the run game, from both their backs and their start quarterback. This game is won and loss with the performance of the front 7. Reloaded, healthy, and with depth, the trenches need to be a violent place come Sunday. Keep Jackson in the pocket, and hit him when he steps up. The EDGE’s need to hold their contains, and the interior need to fill their gaps. If everything goes right, C.J. Mosely should have a 16 tackle game. 

Offensively, maintain possession of the ball. Especially with a recently-injured Wilson or aging Flacco, the Jets cannot afford to get into a shootout with the Ravens. There’s a lot of new, young pieces on this New York roster and we still don’t know exactly how they’ll respond when the bullets get to flying. There will always be growing pains no one is expecting, and plenty of “Welcome-to-the-NFL” moments to go around. The name of the game is time of possession.

Oh, and score points. I heard that helps. 

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