What Is the Jets’ Formula to Upset the Eagles at MetLife

RL: For one thing, the Jets are probably back to Zach. Wilson augmented the Breece Hall-led 234-yard ground game at Denver nicely. But with Philly first in the NFL in rush defense, I’m not saying Hall, Dalvin Cook, Michael Carter and the Jets O-line won’t be able to run it, but the sledding could be tougher. So I’m thinking Wilson has to hit his favorite receivers, Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard and TE Tyler Conklin, early and accurately and often. Defensively, the Green & White has to be spot-on with its assignments or D’Andre Swift and Jalen Hurts will be able to run, and that’s not the kind of help that Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed and the secondary will need to sit on A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and TE Dallas Goedert. As for the “Brotherly Shove” problem, Hurts and the Birds seem to have perfected the concept, on touchdown pushes and on third-and-shorts — their third-down conversion rate is also No. 1 in the league. At least, as DC Jeff Ulbrich said this week, at 330 pounds, “Al Woods does not hurt your chances against that play.”

CH: The key to beating the Eagles is going to be getting past their offensive line. Head Coach Robert Saleh called the Eagles -line the “Peyton Manning of offensive lines” — you can hit them once, but they will be quick to make the adjustment. Jason Kelce, who is in his 13th season with the Eagles, is literally at the center of the Eagles continuity. He has played the same scheme and same techniques his entire career with the Eagles. Right guard Landon Dickerson was selected to the Pro Bowl last season and is the eighth-highest ranked guard according to Pro Football Focus. The Jets defensive line ranks third in QB pressure rate and QB pressures this season. The Jets are also the only team to have three players to record 20-plus total pressures each in Bryce Huff, John Franklin-Myers, and Quinnen Williams. With all that being said, the Jets D-line will also have to get around left tackle Lane Johnson, who has not allowed a sack since Week 11 of the 2020 season. There’s a lot of experience and talent on the Eagles offensive line, but if the Jets can bring pressure and sack the mobile Jalen Hurts, it will give them a better chance of upsetting the Eagles at home on Sunday.