Entering Week 3, the New York Jets and Detroit Lions are in two completely different spots on defense.

The Jets have thrived on that side of the ball, leading the NFL in total defense (197.0 yards allowed per game). Meanwhile, Detroit ranks 31st in that metric, allowing well over twice as many yards per game (446.5) through two weeks.

Given that, the Jets’ offense has an opportunity to do some damage against a struggling unit as Gang Green looks to get back in the win column after a heartbreaking Week 2 overtime loss.

In particular, the Jets’ biggest advantage compared to the Lions’ sputtering defense comes in a specific area: explosive plays.

Detroit’s defense has been very susceptible to big plays

Overall, the Lions’ defense has gotten off to a rough start. One of their biggest weaknesses, though, has been allowing big plays.

This season, the Lions’ defense has allowed a league-high 13 explosive plays (15+ yards). The teams closest to Detroit are the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Pittsburgh Steelers, who have allowed 10, indicating the gap between Detroit and the rest of the pack.

On the other side, the Jets have allowed just one 20+ yard play this season, the second-fewest in the league. The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are the only team that hasn’t allowed a 20+ yard play this season, becoming the first team since 2006 to do so through two games.

Offensively, the Jets haven’t generated too many explosive plays, as their eight plays of 15+ yards rank 21st in the league. However, due to the Lions’ struggles in that area, this week is a perfect opportunity for them to be aggressive and make some big plays.

For a team like the Jets that isn’t built to consistently win high-scoring shootouts, big plays can alter the outcome of a game, for better or worse. If the Jets can generate more explosives offensively than Detroit, especially early on, there is no reason they can’t be in Sunday’s game.

Detroit’s sputtering defense will give the Jets a unique chance to hold up in what could be a shootout-type game. It will be intriguing to see how New York’s defense holds up against an elite offense featuring pass-catchers Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams, alongside a rushing game led by one of the league’s best backs, Jahmyr Gibbs. Also, you can’t forget about QB Jared Goff, who is one of the league’s top pocket passers.

Unlike the last two weeks, especially Week 2, the Jets’ offense will be under pressure to keep up on the scoreboard. Against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, the defense held Jordan Love and the Packers to 199 yards, and New York still lost.

When going against a high-powered offense like the Lions’, the Jets’ defense can’t be called upon to consistently bail the offense out, which was the case on multiple occasions in Week 2.

The opportunity is there for Geno Smith to do some damage and Frank Reich to go to town as a play-caller. New York has playmakers; there is no doubting that. Breece Hall ripped off a 40-yard catch-and-run last week; look for him to be involved in generating explosives. Garrett Wilson can do the same thing if Smith gets him the ball with room to work.

Wilson, alongside first-round rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq, must be more involved in the Jets’ offensive game plan more often moving forward. The pairing has combined for only 20 targets through two games.

We will see how the Lions’ defense progresses over the next few weeks, but it looks like the Jets are getting another early-season opponent at the perfect time. Just like the depleted Packers last week, the Lions are undergoing struggles that can be attributed to the absence of key players: star safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch.

On Sunday, Smith and the Jets’ offense must make Detroit pay with some explosive plays.