This season, one of the focuses for the Jets has been closing out games. Most recently, the Jets held a fourth-quarter lead against the Panthers but fell 35-27, bringing their record to 4-7. As the team enters the final five weeks of the season, the players are looking to flip the script and find their formula to finish.
"We just have to be on top of it," quarterback Josh McCown said Wednesday. "Again, it's on us as we study and prepare and put the time in and be ready to go. It's one play here or there that's making the difference. We're making plays. We're proud of how we responded after some bad things happened the other day — went down and got another touchdown. We've shown the capability to bounce back from things and do things like that. For us, it's sustaining playing at a high level the whole time and finishing those games."
The Jets have flashed on both sides of the ball but are striving for consistency. The 38-year-old McCown said the team has generally played well for the first three quarters but needs to develop a hyper focus in the final frame in order to emerge victorious, a message coaches emphasized in Wednesday's practice.
"As veterans, we have to continue to carry out that voice and go out and get it done," he said. "It's also how you prepare. If you prepare throughout the week the right way, then when stress hits you and you're tired in the fourth quarter and all of those things, if your preparation is good, then you'll fall back on those things. I think it starts right now for us."
No. 24
While there are plenty of storylines heading into Sunday's matchup against the Chiefs, it's easy for the eye to be drawn to the homecoming for Chiefs cornerback Darrelle Revis, who is slated to make his season debut against his former team. It might be weird for Jets Nation to see Revis in red and white, but not for defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson.
"I've seen Revis in a Buccaneers uniform and a Patriots uniform," he said. "So it'll just be another game with Revis lining up on the other side."
Execution
Both the Jets and the Chiefs enter Week 13 on 5-of-6 skids and the defense has another tough task in an efficient Chiefs offense led by quarterback Alex Smith. Smith has completed 68.8% of his passes, which is second in the league, and the Kansas City offense ranks No. 9, averaging 358.6 yards per contest.
"This is an important game for us," Jets linebacker Demario Davis said. "It's the next game on the schedule and we have to take them one at a time. We're at home with a chance to get a victory. It's two teams that really need a win and we have to come ready to execute. If we execute, we'll be okay."
