New York Jets vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Full Week 9 Preview for New York
If you didn't think things could get any worse for the New York Jets prior to last week's game, you'd be extremely wrong.
The Jets were embarrassed at home by a mediocre Buffalo Bills squad, committing six turnovers and giving up 43 points.
Gang Green now sit at 1-7 on the season and hopes for any sort of turnaround have been buried. The entire organization is in flux, and there doesn't appear to be any light at the end of the tunnel.
Unfortunately, the Jets' nightmare season is only halfway over as the team must still play eight more games.
The first contest of the second-half schedule is a trip to Kansas City, a place where opposing squads have struggled mightily in recent years.
Everyone and their mother is picking against the Jets in this one, but the game must still be played.
Click through for a full preview and analysis as well as a final score prediction of the Week 9 contest.
Jets' Week 8 Recap
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New York's lost seven straight, but its Week 8 defeat at the hands of the Bills was by far the worst.
The first drive of the game resulted in a three-and-out, and that was one of the highlights for the Jets offense.
Geno Smith followed up that possession with interceptions on each of the next three New York drives, and before the first quarter expired, he found himself on the bench.
Gang Green found some decent success with Michael Vick under center in the first half, even getting within seven points.
However, Vick imploded in the final two quarters, turning it over three times and basically handing the game to the Bills.
The execution by the quarterbacks was beyond awful, and the offensive line and the secondary weren't much better.
It can't possibly get worse than it did last Sunday, but if it can be achieved, the Jets just might be capable of it.
News and Notes
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John Idzik's Bumbling Press Conference
When John Idzik sat down his midseason presser, many were expecting him to talk poorly of the team that had dropped seven consecutive games.
However, Idzik heaped praise on almost every player and coach on the team and talked about how loyal and dedicated of a fanbase the Jets have, per Seth Walder of the New York Daily News.
The general manager delivered an uncomfortable and overlong conference in which he talked about seemingly everything but what steps need to be made to improve the team.
Idzik showcased his ineptitude, and the press conference brought the extent of the Jets' problems to the surface.
Goodbye, Geno Smith Era
Seven straight losses and an awful three-pick first quarter have brought a rapid and embarrassing end to the Geno Smith era.
Rex Ryan and Co. officially benched Smith for good this week, as Michael Vick was named the starter in Sunday's game.
Smith showcased flashes through 24 starts, but his turnover problems and inconsistency ultimately doomed the team and his shot at becoming a franchise quarterback.
The former second-round pick could end up resurrecting his career, but it appears he will be another swing-and-miss for the Jets in their never-ending quest for a franchise signal-caller.
Can Percy Harvin Make an Impact?
The Jets did everything they could to get the ball in Percy Harvin's hands last Sunday against the Bills.
Harvin returned several kicks, carried the ball four times and was targeted nine times in the passing game.
However, the electrifying wideout failed to make much of an impact on the game, as he didn't do much in the return game and was limited to under 50 yards of total offense.
Expect Harvin to once again be the focal point of the offense, but it will be difficult for him to make some big plays against a vaunted Kansas City Chiefs defense.
Injury Report
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| Player | Injury | Status |
| Oday Aboushi | Shoulder | Probable |
| Phillip Adams | Groin | Probable |
| Antwan Barnes | Knee | Probable |
| Willie Colon | Knee | Probable |
| Jeff Cumberland | Shoulder/Finger | Probable |
| Demario Davis | Finger | Probable |
| Eric Decker | Hamstring | Probable |
| David Harris | Shoulder | Probable |
| Chris Johnson | Ankle | Probable |
| Jeremy Kerley | Illness | Probable |
| Nick Mangold | Shoulder | Probable |
| Trevor Reilly | Knee | Probable |
| Greg Salas | Wrist/Ankle | Probable |
| Geno Smith | Right Shoulder | Probable |
| Darrin Walls | Calf/Knee | Doubtful |
*Injury report courtesy of the official website of the New York Jets.
The Jets have been plagued by cornerback injuries all season, and that trend will continue in Week 9.
Starting corner Darrin Walls hasn't practiced all week because of injuries to his knee and calf, and he's unlikely to play this Sunday, per Rich Cimini of ESPN New York.
Walls has probably been the team's best cover man this season, so the secondary could be even worse in his absence.
So who will start at cornerback against Kansas City? Antonio Allen, Kyle Wilson, Phillip Adams, Josh Thomas and Marcus Williams are all possibilities.
None of those players is a capable starter, so it could be another long day for the defensive back end.
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X-Factors and Matchups to Watch
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Jets' Front Seven vs. Jamaal Charles
Gang Green's defensive front will face its biggest challenge to date in Jamaal Charles on Sunday.
Charles is one of the NFL's most dynamic players, as he possesses elite speed, elusiveness and vision, and he's capable of making game-changing plays in the passing game as well.
The 27-year-old has averaged an astounding 5.5 yards per carry, and he's the main reason why Kansas City boasts the third-best rushing attack in football.
The Jets have been solid against the run all season, but they need to have their best performance of the season to slow Charles.
If the Chiefs rushing attack gets going, it could be a blowout before halftime.
Michael Vick vs. Himself
Michael Vick has actually led the Jets offense on some pretty good drives when he's been under center this season.
However, many of these drives have been stalled by mistakes and turnovers from Vick himself.
The veteran signal-caller has struggled with turning the ball over his whole career, but in an offense that lacks weapons, it's even more damaging.
According to ESPN New York's Rich Cimini, Rex Ryan expressed that Vick needs to play with better ball security. But acknowledging it and doing it are two very different things.
If Vick can't hold on to the ball on Sunday, the Jets will be run out of the stadium.
Justin Houston and Tamba Hali vs. D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Breno Giacomini
New York's offensive line struggled mightily last weekend against an elite Bills defensive line, and it will face another huge challenge with Kansas City's front.
The Chiefs have the best pass defense in the NFL statistically, and much of that success can be accredited to the pass rush provided by their Pro Bowl outside linebackers.
Justin Houston currently leads the league in sacks with 10, and Tamba Hali has four of his own, along with three forced fumbles.
The two behemoths are almost impossible to contain, but Gang Green's pair of tackles must find a way to do so in order for Michael Vick to have any chance of success.
Jets' X-Factor of the Week: Percy Harvin
Harvin was the X-factor last week, and he reprises that same role on Sunday.
It's impossible to know what the Jets will get out of the former Seattle Seahawk. He could have a monster day, or he could make little to no impact.
It's that kind of inconsistency that makes Harvin one of the most polarizing players in the NFL, but the highs he provides are surpassed by few.
Regardless, Gang Green's offense needs a big day from Harvin in order to open up the field.
Prediction
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It won't be the humiliating loss of Week 8, but the Jets will still drop their eighth straight game at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City is simply a better team, and it is incredibly tough to beat in its own house.
Moreover, the Jets are playing uninspired football on both sides of the ball, and turnovers and awful production from the secondary continue to doom them.
Michael Vick will lead the offense on some decent drives, and the defensive front will do its best to keep Gang Green in the game. But the Chiefs will ultimately pull away in the second half.
New York's downfall will continue on Sunday, and the end is seemingly nowhere in sight.
2014 could end up being one of the franchise's most painful seasons by the time it's all said and done.
Chiefs 27, Jets 16
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