Bills vs. Jets: 4 2nd-Half Keys to Victory for New York

Things are still very much in the air at halftime of this up-and-down divisional clash between the Jets and the Bills.

Here are four things New York needs to do to pull out a victory: 

1. Break Out the Tricks 

The Jets found success early in this contest running trick plays that got the Bills moving in the wrong direction. The league has caught on to Buffalo's sometimes-flashy defense, exploiting their overaggressive habits.  

In order to get the offense going, New York needs to mix in more play-action and more misdirection. By keeping Buffalo on its toes, the field should open up for more big plays.

2. Pressure Ryan Fitzpatrick 

As much as the Bills defense has struggled, the offense has looked every bit as bad in recent weeks. It's quite possible that the Jets might have underestimated an offensive attack that lacks its quondam biggest weapon, Fred Jackson. Conventional wisdom suggests Fitzpatrick's struggles were likely to continue.

On the contrary, the Harvard grad has appeared confident and consistent back in the pocket thanks in part to the luxury of time. New York can't expect a deus ex machina to halt Buffalo. They need to take matters into their own hands: blitz the Bills QB, upset his timing and force him to make bad throws.

3. Don't Let Mark Sanchez Loose 

The New York Jets quarterback is one of the most frustrating players in all of football. Despite his mostly undeserved stardom, he has shown time and time again that he doesn't have what it takes to succeed at this level. As a result, teams put a target on his back.  

But Jets fans already know all of this. Sanchez's boneheaded throw standing in his own endzone set up Buffalo's go-ahead score late in the first half. He likes to show off that arm of his, but trying to thread the ball between three and four defenders just doesn't work in the NFL. 

If New York wants to pass, they need to keep the targets close to the line of scrimmage. Sanchez has targeted TE Dustin Keller several times already—that combination may be the hookup that leads to victory.

4. Capitalize on the Bills' Stupidity

I'm not trying to be mean, but the Bills have done an excellent job of being the Bills in this game. This game is close in part because the Jets have been opportunistic. A flubbed kickoff attempt and several silly penalties by Buffalo has kickstarted the Jets offense.

As this game wears on, doubts will start to spread throughout the Bills sideline. Struggling has a way of being contagious, and no team has struggled as much as Buffalo in recent weeks.  

Convert those fears and anxieties into fuel in the second half.