Oakland Raiders: Keys To Victory Over New York Jets

Oct 25, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) makes a pass while tackle Breno Giacomini (68) pushes New England Patriots defensive tackle Dominique Easley (99) out of the way during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Do The Impossible

To give themselves a shot in this game, the Raiders are going to have to do something very few people have had any success doing this season – get to Ryan Fitzpatrick.

As a team, the Jets have given up just four sacks all season long. Four. Fitzpatrick isn’t especially fleet of foot or elusive on the run, but he makes smart decisions and gets rid of the ball quickly. Getting Denico Autry and Justin Ellis back this week will help. And they are going to need it.

The Raiders will need Dan Williams and Ellis to provide a good push up the middle. That front line is going to need to collapse the pocket quickly and allow Oakland’s speed rushers Khalil Mack and Aldon Smith to get a shot at Fitzpatrick.

Oakland is going to have to do something to disrupt an offensive line that has been pretty dominant in pass protection. Whether it’s running more stunts, blitzes, or sending people from odd angles, the Raiders desperately need to mix up the looks they give the Jets and try to cause a little confusion along that line – long enough for a Raider defender, whoever it may be, to get a free run and a shot on Fitzpatrick.

The linebackers and secondary in coverage are going to have to blanket whoever New York sends out into the patter and hold their coverage as tight as they can for as long as they can to give the likes of Mack and Smith the time they need to get to Fitzpatrick.

But getting solid and consistent pressure on him, knocking him out of his rhythm, and disrupting New York’s offensive game plan is going to be essential for the Raiders to put themselves in a position to win.

Next: Do The Impossible Part II