Jets-Payments Recreation Preview | Striving for Greatness within the AFC East – New York Jets

Senior Reporter
The Jets (0-1) and the Payments (1-0) will meet Sunday at MetLife Stadium in Week 2 motion when the groups open divisional play. After their 34-32 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 1, the Jets rapidly shifted focus to their subsequent problem.
“I do assume that we have now rattling good gamers on this group, and with the teaching workers, man, we’ll do every little thing we will to educate these guys as much as beat an excellent opponent that is coming into our constructing,” stated HC Aaron Glenn.
Working to Be Constant
Whereas reigning MVP Josh Allen and the Payments yearly discipline one of many NFL’s high offenses, Justin Fields and the Jets offense had been an unknown coming into the 2025-26 season. They responded early and sometimes, scoring on their first 4 drives for the primary time in a season-opener since 1997, profitable the road of scrimmage whereas amassing 182 yards on the bottom and producing 11 explosive performs.
“We do not need to be a flash within the pan the place we’re 32 [points] one week and 10 the following week,” Glenn stated. “And I do know that occurs as a result of there are some good defenses out right here, however for probably the most half, we’re working to be constant on all ranges, in all three phases of this soccer group.”
The Payments have been a constant winner beneath HC Sean McDermott, claiming the previous 5 AFC East titles. They pulled a rabbit out of the hat final Sunday night time with an unbelievable 41-40 comeback victory over the Ravens. When Ok Josh Prater nailed a 32-yard FG as time expired, the Payments turned the primary group in NFL historical past down 15-plus factors down with beneath 4 minutes left to win in regulation.
Making an attempt to Be Good
However Sean McDermott despatched a message to his group with a padded observe to begin the week of preparation for the Jets.
“Full pads on a Wednesday after a 60-minute recreation the place we needed to play all 60 minutes,” stated star DT Ed Oliver. “It is a bit difficult, it is making an attempt mentally to get your self again proper and you are still form of hurting. I do know loads of guys on the group are hurting nonetheless. You placed on the total pads, and also you go on the market and compete as a result of that is who we’re.”
Whereas Oliver (1 sack, 3 TFL and a couple of QBH) was excellent in opposition to the Ravens, the Payments surrendered 432 yards of offense and a whopping 238 rush yards. After totaling 39 rush makes an attempt in opposition to the Steelers and with Breece Hall main the cost with 19 carries for 107 yards, the Jets determine to problem the Payments early and sometimes on the bottom.
“Defensively, man, we actually bought to be careful for Oliver, he is a disrupter, he is a penetrator,” Glenn stated. “They transfer him round fairly a bit. He is very athletic. He is an issue. We’ve to ensure we be careful for him.”
Coming off certainly one of his greatest video games as a professional, Justin Fields, who had 3 complete TDs and related on 72.7% of his passes in opposition to the Steelers, is seeking to discover one other degree.
“We’re taking part in an imperfect recreation, however we’re making an attempt to be good,” Fields stated. “AG stated that to us on the market right now. We’re seeking to be good, however all of us perceive that it isn’t essentially going to be like that. however that is what we’re striving for.”
After sacking Aaron Rodgers 4 occasions and yielding 4 TD passes to the Steelers’ QB, the Jets will look to decelerate Allen. His exceptional fourth quarter — 251 go yards and three TDs — vs. the Ravens was one for the ages.
“Man, he is powerful, he is extremely aggressive, and he permits this offense to by no means be out of a play, if that is sensible,” Glenn stated. “Once I say that, as soon as he begins to maneuver round, he does a very good job of discovering guys. And I believe these guys do a very good job of understanding what he’ll do and the way he’ll react and so they react rather well off him of discovering open lanes and issues like that for him to ship the ball.”
The Jets’ protection has Allen’s respect, and all of it begins with the entrance. Will McDonald IV, who had 2 sacks in Week 1, will match up with 4-time Professional Bowler LT Dion Dawkins whereas Jermaine Johnson will battle with Spencer Brown throughout the way in which. Quinnen Williams and former Payments DT Kyle Williams will look to break down the pocket from the inside and provides area for explosive LBs Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood to maintain RB James Prepare dinner in verify.
“They have some absolute studs on this protection,” Allen stated. “Clearly their entrance is actually strong — they get after the quarterback rather well. And their back and front finish is working in unison proper now, so we’ll have our fingers full. We solely have one recreation of tape, so we have now to belief our base guidelines and be ready for no matter they throw at us.”
If Allen does lengthen the play, CB Sauce Gardner, who may see loads of Keon Coleman after a powerful effort in opposition to DK Metcalf, says the Jets’ DBs should keep on their assignments to forestall the massive performs.
“If I bought my man, I bought my man,” Gardner stated stated. “As a result of I do know he is able to doing a little loopy issues. When he is scrambling, he can throw throughout his physique and throw the ball 50-60 yards or additional. So, we simply bought to be disciplined in protection and belief the entrance seven to do their factor like they did final week.”
See the Jets gamers at observe Wednesday forward of their Week 2 matchup with the Buffalo Payments at MetLife Stadium Sunday.
Wanting Ahead to the Problem
The Jets clearly have the Payments’ consideration. Sean McDermott, who’s led his membership to seven postseason journeys in eight years together with two AFC championship recreation appearances, stated “by all accounts” the Jets ought to have defeated the Steelers.
“You possibly can inform they’re making an attempt to revamp issues there and I respect that,” he stated. “It jogs my memory loads of our early years right here. There are good coaches actually good coaches on each side of the ball and particular groups and positively a proficient roster as properly.”
If the Jets can journey up the Payments, they’re going to sq. their document earlier than heading to Florida for a two-game swing in opposition to the Buccaneers and the Dolphins (on Monday night time, Sept. 29). It is one other early litmus for a younger group that’s establishing a normal and taking part in a bodily model of soccer. Glenn guarantees they’re going to be prepared.
“This will probably be a very good problem for us, however I do know for a truth our guys are wanting ahead to the problem,” he stated.
Aaron Glenn Begins His Head Teaching Profession vs. the Steelers on Sunday
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