The New York Jets are flying out of the gate in 2015, making the hire of Todd Bowles look like the best hire the franchise has made since Bill Parcells. They opened with a 31-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns from MetLife Stadium, and a 20-7 victory over Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts. They spent the majority of the first two games dominating their opponent.
How have they done it? It's actually pretty simple. The formula in the NFL has been the same for as long as anyone can remember. Win the battle at the line of scrimmage and win the turnover battle, and you will win more games than you lose.
The New York Jets have forced ten turnovers in the first two games, a franchise record. Five have been forced in each of the games, and their turnover ratio is +8. That has been unheard of for the Jets lately. To compare, it took the Jets five weeks to reach this number in 2014, and we know how the 2014 Jets ended up. It cost a general manager and a coach their jobs.
In 2015, the defense is dominating, and is lead by an old friend. Darrelle Revis has returned, the New York Jets' fans lost son, and he was responsible for three of the five turnovers on Monday night against the Colts, recovering two fumbles and intercepting a pass. Welcome home Darrelle.
Hopefully, it wasn't a costly night, as the Jets' cornerback missed practice on Wednesday. The Jets were mum on his health, so this will be a story to watch as the week plays out.
The other element is winning the battle at the line of scrimmage. What do I mean? Keeping the quarterback clean vs attacking the opponent passer, and winning the battle of the running games.
Ryan Fitzpatrick has spent the first two games almost completely on his feet, as Jets' opponents gotten to him once. In contrast, the Jets have recorded three sacks. In the game against the Colts, the Jets recorded 17 quarterback hurries and 13 hits on Andrew Luck, as per Pro Football Focus.
The running game has been stellar as well, as the team is averaging four yards per carry on the ground, and outgained their opponents 255-197. The Jets have stayed true to their roots, despite the improved passing game, and rushed for over 100 yards in each of the first two games. Running the football and playing defense still works.
It doesn't hurt that Ryan Fitzpatrick is completing over 60% of his passes as well, to the likes of Eric Decker and the newly acquired Brandon Marshall. We haven't seen this in the land of the New York Jets in quite some time. It's refreshing, isn't it?
It has taken a new general manager, a new coach, and significant changes to the roster for the New York Jets to finally start executing this tried and true formula for winning NFL football games.
It's only two game, but it's a start that Jets' fans haven't seen in many years.