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Week 9 Preview: Jets at Chiefs
New York Jets (1-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-3)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo. – TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Evan Washburn
*Keys to the game: The Jets made the move to QB Michael Vick and hope he will benefit from having a full week of practice with the first-team offense. Vick fumbled twice after replacing Geno Smith last week and acknowledged he has to be more careful with the ball as at 34 years old, he’s not quite the same dynamic open-field threat as in his earlier years. The Chiefs enter with the league’s top-ranked pass defense, and Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg needs to stay committed to the ground game as long as possible to extend drives, protect the Jets’ beleaguered secondary and shorten the game.
The Chiefs’ offense has found a nice balance with a nearly even split between the ground and passing attacks. QB Alex Smith will play despite a sore shoulder suffered last week, and has thrown only one pass that traveled more than 20 yards over the past five games. However, he has shown good accuracy in recent weeks and should find his receivers generating ample separation against the Jets’ depleted secondary. New York’s best hope is for its defensive line to dominate in the trenches and apply constant heat on Smith, who has been sacked 18 times.
*Matchup to watch – Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson vs. Chiefs LT Eric Fisher: Whipped by Rams DE Robert Quinn for consecutive sacks last week, one that resulted in a shoulder injury for Smith, Fisher can expect to be targeted again Sunday. Wilkerson doesn’t possess quite the first-step quickness of Quinn, but will be moved around as coach Rex Ryan seeks mismatches. He will also test RT Ryan Harris, while Fisher will have to contend significantly with OLB Quinton Coples.
*Player spotlight – Chiefs ILB Josh Mauga: Not re-signed by the Jets after missing most of last season with a shoulder injury, Mauga joined the Chiefs at the start of training camp. He re-joined coordinator Bob Sutton, formerly the Jets’ linebackers coach, and Mauga was elevated to the starting lineup due to injuries to starters Joe Mays and Derrick Johnson.
*Fast facts: The Jets are tied for first in the NFL with 18 turnovers and tied for fifth with 63 penalties. … Alex Smith has thrown 21 of his 214 passes more than 10 yards away from the line of scrimmage.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Jets are playing out the string for a coach destined to be looking for work in two months. The Chiefs are finding their rhythm on both sides of the ball and must focus on every victory in the busy AFC playoff picture.
*Our pick: Chiefs 28-19
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