Finishing in the red zone is where games tilt, and the Jets have a chance to prove they can do it against a Lions defense that has been leaking touchdowns at an alarming rate.
Through two weeks, New York’s offense has been respectable enough to keep the conversation going. The Jets are averaging 326.0 yards per game, good for 15th in the league, and their 20.0 points per game rank 19th.
Frank Reich has shown some willingness to adjust to the modern game, with flashes of it in Week 1. But he also got conservative in crunch time against the Green Bay Packers last week, and that helped send the Jets to an overtime loss.
Now comes a matchup that should reward a sharper version of that offense.
Detroit has been vulnerable inside the 20. The Lions have allowed touchdowns on nine of 10 opponent red-zone trips this season, with five scores coming through the air and four on the ground. That kind of split tells the story: they’re not just getting beaten one way.
The Jets have been decent at finishing once they get close. They’ve gone four-for-six in the red zone, a 66.7% clip that ties them for 14th in the league. They’re also perfect in goal-to-go situations, which is a welcome change from what this team has looked like in past years.
Still, there have been two misses that stand out.
In Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans, New York put together a 19-play, 74-yard drive that ate 11:48 off the clock. But a false start by Mason Taylor turned third-and-one at the Titans’ 10 into third-and-six, and the drive ended with a 33-yard field goal.
Against Green Bay, the Jets recovered a fumble at the Packers’ 18, only to stall again. An eight-yard completion set up a fourth-and-short at the nine, but a delay-of-game penalty forced another field goal.
Those are the kinds of chances the Jets can’t waste this week.
Detroit’s defense may be struggling, but the Lions are still a tricky opponent. Jared Goff has remained efficient from the pocket, and he has actually been better under pressure this season, which is a twist considering that pressure has long been his weakness. The bigger issue has been protection around him, and that gives New York a clear path: make Goff uncomfortable.
The Lions also bring real weapons. Jahmyr Gibbs has been one of the league’s most dangerous runners, ranking second in missed tackles forced with 14 and leading the NFL with nine runs of 10 or more yards.
In the passing game, Amon-Ra St. Brown is still a major problem from the slot.
And Sam LaPorta, even after missing eight games in 2025 because of injury, graded out as Pro Football Focus’ fifth-best tight end with an 82.0.
That means the Jets can’t afford to give Detroit extra chances, especially with Minkah Fitzpatrick out again. His absence puts even more pressure on Reich to cash in when the offense gets into scoring range.
The good news for New York is that the touchdowns have come in different ways. Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq scored on a three-yard jet sweep.
Braelon Allen has found the end zone, and so has Breece Hall. Geno Smith’s only passing touchdown through two games came Sunday, when he hit Garrett Wilson for a five-yard score.
With Mason Taylor out this week because of a thumb injury, the setup is there for Sadiq to be more involved, and that could matter near the goal line. Even with Taylor active last week, it was hard to see why Sadiq wasn’t used more.
The Jets’ first-down decisions in the red zone should be a key part of the game plan. Detroit has allowed 5.8 yards per carry on runs between the tackles this season, so Hall or Allen could be the obvious answer on first down. If that creates manageable second downs, the passing game opens up too and keeps the Lions guessing.
That matters because Detroit has not been vulnerable in only one area. The Lions have already given up four rushing touchdowns in the red zone and five through the air.
But if New York ends up in obvious passing situations, Aidan Hutchinson and the Lions’ pass rush can tee off. Detroit already has seven sacks and 17 quarterback hits this season.
For the Jets, the formula is simple: hit Detroit early with explosive plays over the middle, then finish the job once they get inside the 20.
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