5 Bold Predictions for New York Jets' Week 7 Matchup

The sometimes controversial, highly scrutinized New York Jets face virtual elimination from the AFC playoff picture on Thursday night against the division-leading New England Patriots in Week 7.

For the Jets to pull off a signature stunner, they need to get back to the basics, which means effectively executing in the ground game, using their trio of running backs to exploit the Patriots' mediocre rush defense to set up play action.

That hasn't exactly been the mindset of offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg throughout the season, though. The Jets' OC has dialed up the pass game—seemingly because of early-game deficits—but it's apparent that New York has close to zero chance of winning when the outcome is essentially placed upon the shoulders of defunct second-year quarterback Geno Smith.

Smith is on the verge of proving himself incapable of operating a pro-style offense, if he hasn't already. The second-round pick owns the second worst completion percentage among all starters (57.1) and also flaunts the worst passer rating (67.9) among 33 qualifying quarterbacks.

Smith's inefficiencies aren't entirely to blame for the Jets' demise, but it's difficult to win at the highest level of football without a quarterback who exhibits the ability to help his team find the end zone. The Jets average an anemic 16.0 points per game under Smith in 2014, which is more than 2.0 points per game fewer than what they averaged a season ago.

If this trend continues, the Jets could contend for the No. 1 overall draft pick next May. The following slideshow highlights five bold predictions for the Jets' Thursday night showdown against the archrival Patriots.

5. Chris Johnson Breaks Loose for a 40-Yard TD Run

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The Jets' inefficiencies on offense have been well-documented over the past few weeks, particularly as they relate to Smith's struggles. But the Jets' run game has gone dormant—a surprising development considering the talent Rex Ryan's crew boasts in the backfield.

The Jets should be able to move the ball on the ground against the Patriots' mediocre run defense, which ranks 16th in the league and allows opposing running backs to collectively register a 4.2 yards per carry average. That figure seems to bode well for the Jets, although their potential ground success also hinders on Mornhinweg's pass-happy game plan.

The Green & White need a spark from speed back Chris Johnson, who has essentially been a non-factor in each of the Jets' previous five games—all losses. The former 2,000-yard rusher is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry in 2014, which equals his rush attempt average from last season.

Johnson hasn't had much success against the Patriots in two career games, averaging just 66.0 rushing yards per game on 28 total carries with zero touchdowns. For the Jets to have a chance to upset their division rival under the spotlight of national television, they'll need a big play from Johnson.

If the Jets are able to execute on the ground and dictate the tempo of the game early on, look for Johnson to bust loose for a potential game-changing 40-yard sprint in the second half.

4. Jets Secondary Holds Tom Brady to 200 Passing Yards

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The Jets secondary took another crippling blow to the guy after lead cornerback Dee Milliner suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against the Denver Broncos in Week 6, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York.

New York has endured a monstrosity of critical injuries to their depth-stricken defensive backfield this season, fueling opposing quarterbacks' collective 109.2 passer rating. The Jets secondary has also allowed the highest number of touchdown passes in the league (15).

Those numbers don't favor the Jets against Tom Brady and Co. on Thursday night. New England's offense has been efficient but primarily relies on underneath passing routes to move the chains. The Patriots average just 7.0 yards per pass attempts in 2014, which ranks 22nd in the league.

The Jets will certainly be challenged downfield without Milliner, forcing added pressure on Darrin Walls, the team's unofficial No. 1 cornerback in the wake of Milliner's torn Achilles. But Brady has recently been limited in practice due to a sprained ankle, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, adding incentive for Ryan to dial up the pressure.

Brady's ankle sprain wasn't apparent in the Patriots' 37-22 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 6, in which he threw for 361 yards and four touchdowns, despite being hit six times. The Jets' ferocity on defense could cause problems for Brady, though.

The future Hall of Fame QB averages just 233.0 passing yards per game in 24 career starts against the Jets. Even though they're noticeably outmatched in the secondary, Rex's Jets are capable of preventing Brady from carving them up.

3. Jets Defense Records a Turnover

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The Jets have been unable to generate turnovers all season, an ongoing problem that has greatly diminished their ability to win games. New York has recorded a dismal total of just three turnovers all season, ranking dead last in that category.

For the Jets to pull off the upset against New England, they must force the Patriots into committing multiple giveaways. While it remains unlikely for the Jets to suddenly double their takeaway output in a single game, they're more than capable of at least registering one turnover.

The Jets front seven needs to frequently pressure Brady in order to stand a chance on Thursday night. It's unlikely for that seemingly elusive game-changing turnover to be of the interception variety, considering the Jets' beleaguered secondary made up of used-to-be safeties and second stringers, which means forcing a fumble (or two) is a must.

The Patriots have issues in the backfield, given a season-ending ACL and MCL injury to Stevan Ridley, which occurred in New England's most recent win over the Bills, according to Chris Wesseling of NFL.com.

Doug Kyed of NESN.com suspects that either Brandon Bolden or Jonas Gray will receive a bulk of the carries for the remainder of the season.

Both backs, especially Gray, are vastly inexperienced, combining to record just 29 total yards from scrimmage on 16 touches. Look for the Jets to exploit the Patriots' makeshift backfield and record their fourth turnover of the season.

2. The Emergence of Jace Amaro Continues

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Jace Amaro is emerging as a stud tight end, recording 10 catches for 68 yards and his first career touchdown against the Broncos in Week 6. Amaro's development has been slow but steady. He's now recorded 24 receptions on 29 targets for 212 yards, averaging a modest 8.8 yards per catch.

Amaro has the playmaking skills necessary to become a dominant pass-catching tight end. His size and strength make him difficult for undersized defensive backs to cover, an advantage the Jets need to better exploit as the season progresses.

Amaro is perhaps the Jets' second-best receiving option behind No. 1 wideout Eric Decker, who leads all Jets receivers with three touchdowns in 2014. If the Jets are going to be successful against New England, they need to make Amaro an integrated part of the game plan, especially against a defense that flaunts two outstanding cover corners.

It's somewhat unlikely for Amaro to see 10-plus targets in consecutive weeks, but it would be equally as unlikely for him not to see at least eight or nine passes thrown his direction. At the moment, he's the Jets' best red-zone target, making him pivotal to New York's ability to score points on Thursday night.

1. Geno Smith Crumbles in the Fourth Quarter

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Smith has been flat out awful in his second season as the Jets' primary signal-caller. While some may believe that Smith is undeserving of the harsh scrutiny he's faced this year, his on-field performance has been lackluster at best.

Smith ranks as the least efficient quarterback in the NFL. His pick-six that capped New York's Week 6 loss against Denver encapsulated what could become a short-lived stint as a starting QB. He's now thrown at least one interception in 18 of his 22 career games as a pro, a trend that will surely continue against the Patriots on Thursday night.

As has been the case multiple times this season, the Jets' vaunted front seven will do enough to give their team a chance to win in the fourth quarter, only to be let down by Smith, whose 27.03 QBR ranks second to last in the league.

Smith has recorded twice as many turnovers (12) than touchdown passes (6) in 2014. His inability to make smart decisions with the football continue to haunt the Jets. A three-turnover meltdown from Smith will squash the Jets' chances of beating the Patriots, despite trailing by just three points entering the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Patriots 26, Jets 13