Finishing drives in the NFL is crucial for success. Teams that consistently win in this league can make points appear and turn field-goal opportunities into touchdowns.
Folks, it’s 2026. Yes, the “defense wins championships” cliché is still relevant, but in today’s NFL, it’s an offense-driven game.
Two games into the regular season, the New York Jets’ offense has been solid, relative to expectations. The unit is averaging 326.0 yards per game, which ranks 15th in the league. Furthermore, their 20.0 points per game rank 19th.
Offensive coordinator Frank Reich has shown signs of adapting to the modern game and flashed at times, especially in Week 1, which is encouraging. However, he also folded in crunch time against the Green Bay Packers last week, playing a huge role in New York’s overtime loss.
This week, though, Reich, Geno Smith, and the Jets’ offense will have a perfect opportunity to do some damage against a sputtering Detroit Lions defense.
We recently dissected Detroit’s susceptibility to big plays, but there is an even clearer way for Gang Green’s offense to separate themselves early on in the game: getting to the red zone.
Detroit’s red-zone struggles
This season, the Lions’ defense has allowed touchdowns on nine of 10 opponent red-zone trips. They haven’t all been in one area either: five came through the air, and the other four came through the ground game.
The Jets have generally finished red-zone drives well this year, going four-of-six on their trips (66.7%). Essentially, they have scored a touchdown on two-thirds of their trips within the 20-yard line this season. That ties them for the 14th-best percentage in the league this year, right at league average.
Furthermore, the team is three-for-three in goal-to-go situations, so unlike prior years, the Jets have proven they can finish around the goal line… at least for now.
The two red-zone drives the Jets haven’t finished were frustrating. In Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans, the offense compiled a 19-play, 74-yard drive, which chewed 11:48 off the clock. They faced third-and-one at the Titans’ 10. Mason Taylor’s false start made it third-and-six, before an incompletion forced the Jets to settle for a 33-yard field goal.
Against Green Bay last week, the Jets recovered a fumble at the Packers’ 18 but couldn’t generate a new set of downs. An eight-yard completion set them up for a fourth-and-short look from the Packers’ nine-yard line, but a delay-of-game penalty forced the Jets to leave with just a field goal.
Capitalizing on their red zone trips will be huge for the Jets this week. Don’t be fooled by their record and defensive struggles; Detroit will be no easy opponent for the Jets. They are a “paradox,” as our own Michael Nania put it.
Jared Goff remains a highly efficient pocket passer, and this year he has gotten even better under pressure, which has historically been his biggest weakness. It’s the Lions’ pass protection that has let him down far too often, and that’s exactly why generating pressure is crucial once again for the Jets this week.
Then, there is running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who is widely regarded as one of the league’s top rushers. This season, he ranks second in missed tackles forced (14) and leads the league with nine runs of 10+ yards, highlighting his ability to take over the game with his elusiveness.
In the passing game, there is Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is arguably the best slot receiver in the game. The Jets’ cornerbacks have been a pleasant surprise so far, but they will have their hands full with St. Brown. Also, there is tight end Sam LaPorta. Despite missing eight games due to injury in 2025, he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ fifth-best TE (82.0).
So, the Jets can’t give the Lions’ offense too many opportunities, especially since they will be without Minkah Fitzpatrick again, one of the Jets’ key cogs in their secondary.
This puts more pressure on Reich to make the most of the chances his offense gets. The defense bailed out New York’s offense on several occasions last week. That can’t happen again this week; the offense needs to do its job and score points. This week, the offense may need to return the favor.
One thing that sticks out from the Jets’ touchdowns this year is their variety near the goal line. Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq rushed for a three-yard TD off a jet sweep, while Braelon Allen and Breece Hall have each found the end zone. Smith’s lone passing touchdown through two games came on Sunday, connecting with Garrett Wilson for a five-yard TD.
With Mason Taylor out this week due to a thumb injury, it’s the perfect matchup for Sadiq to get fully unleashed, and that could mean in the red zone, too. Even with Taylor active last week, it was puzzling why Sadiq didn’t have a bigger role in the Jets’ offense.
The Jets’ first-down opportunities in the red zone will be fascinating. The Lions have allowed 5.8 yards per carry on runs between the tackles this year, meaning first down could very well indicate a run to either Hall or Allen. If they can set up manageable second-down chances, that opens up the option for a pass, too, and keeps the Lions’ defense on its toes.
Remember, four of the touchdowns Detroit has surrendered in the red zone have been rushing TDs, and the other five have come through the air. They haven’t been beaten in just one facet. However, obvious passing situations could let Aidan Hutchinson and the Lions’ pass rush keep up their work, as they’ve already generated seven sacks and 17 quarterback hits this year.
The Jets’ goal this week against the Lions’ defense should be simple: beat them early with explosive plays across the middle of the field, then capitalize in the red zone to separate themselves early.
