Three Keys to Unlocking Jets' Week 2 Win over Cowboys

Pass protection, defensive pressure and special teams likely to play a part in Gang Green's upset bid

The New York Jets started the season going three-for-three. 

The Green & White checked off all three boxes on Jets Country's three keys to a Week 1 victory and the end result was a 22-16 overtime win over the defending three-time AFC East champion Buffalo Bills. 

Gang Green pressured quarterback Josh Allen into five sacks and four turnovers while also shutting down Buffalo tight ends Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid. On offense, the Jets chewed up 172 yards with its ground game.

Next up, they'll try to go to 2-0 with quarterback Zach Wilson leading the charge into Dallas. The oddsmakers see it as a tall task for New York, pegging the Jets as 8.5-point underdogs. 

Despite the steep challenge, there is a clear path to victory if Gang Green can hit these three keys.

Protecting Against Parsons

The Cowboys feature a fierce defensive front led by "game-wrecker" Micah Parsons. Through 34 career games, two-time All-Pro has accounted for 27.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and six pass deflections.

"He’s somebody that, he can totally wreck a game, so everybody has to know where he is at all times," said Jets' offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett on Thursday in Florham Park.

Dallas is coming off a 40-0 shutout of the New York Giants during which they sacked the opposing passer seven times. With Wilson taking the snaps for the Jets, the Cowboys may try to rattle him by bringing the heat early. 

Bookends Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton must be ready to protect the edges and could get some help from the tight ends. Chip-blocking the Dallas pass rushers may be the best route to go. Second-year tight end Jeremy Ruckert appeared to block effectively throughout the win over Buffalo.

Jets' RT Mekhi Becton (77) / © Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Pressure Prescott

Dallas starting signal caller Dak Prescott was intercepted a league-high 15 times during the 2022 season. Gang Green has the back end to make life tough on Prescott's receivers while its vaunted pass rush tries to move the quarterback on his spot. 

Pressuring the passer could result in some hurried throws and rash decisions, leading to potential takeaways. That was the right recipe in the Jets' win over Allen and the Bills and it's worth trying again in Dallas, especially with a banged-up Cowboys' offensive line. 

All-Pro Quinnen Williams and the Green & White defensive front may be able to take advantage of multiple Cowboys' backups. Starting offensive guards Tyler Smith (doubtful) and Zack Martin (questionable) could both be out on Sunday. Smith did not practice on Friday due to a hamstring injury while a groin issue limited Martin.

Meanwhile, Prescott will be without a dynamic pass-catcher. Dallas receiver Brandin Cooks is not expected to play after sustaining a knee injury last Sunday against the Giants.

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READ Final Injury Report for Jets at Cowboys 

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Special Teams X-Factor

The Jets appeared to have the special teams advantage heading into Week 2, but a groin injury to proven placekicker Greg Zuerlein dealt a blow to the unit late in the week. 

With Zuerlein unable to give it a go against the Cowboys, Gang Green picked up free agent Austin Seibert to fill in on Sunday. Even with an unknown at kicker, the Jets special teams still has the ability to win their phase of the game.

Veteran punter Thomas Morstead seems to get better with age and long snapper Thomas Hennessy has consistently been on point. Then, there's undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson as the primary return man.

After impressing throughout the NFL Preseason, Gipson broke off a game-winning 65-yard punt return touchdown in overtime on Monday night at MetLife Stadium. 

"I'm gonna speak for our entire locker-room and say we knew he was gonna get one today. We just had a feeling," said Saleh after the 22-16 win. "That kid is electric with the ball in his hands. If I'm a team I'm not kicking to him, but let him keep proving it."

Another specials teams touchdown would certainly go a long way in helping the Jets pull out an upset in Big D.

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