Four Keys to Ravens' Victory vs. Jets

Even though the Jets named former Raven turned journeyman backup Tyrod Taylor the starter for this game, it doesn't mean that Justin Fields will spend the entire game on the bench. The former first-rounder is still one of the most dangerous rushing threats at the position in the league, so he could and likely will get his number called for certain packages and situations, such as short-yardage and near the goal, where the Jets might try to mix it up and give the Ravens a taste of their own medicine with the read option or zone read game.

"We have to be ready for everything," Pro Bowl outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy said. "They can always have a package for Fields, so we're going to be ready for everything."

They faced this exact same situation last season when Fields was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first of three matchups between the two heated rivals after getting benched in favor of Russell Wilson, he ran the ball twice for 17 yards, with the second being a 9-yard carry that helped set up the third-and-1 to ice the game and seal an 18-16 win for the Steelers.

The Ravens remember that loss and are anticipating seeing both signal callers. Although Taylor isn't as spry as he once was at 36 years old, he is still averaging 5.7 yards per rushing attempt, so maintaining rush-lane integrity when he's in the game is just as paramount.

"Tyrod, he's done a good job everywhere he's gone," Van Noy said. "It seems like he's always had something go against him, somehow, some way in his career, but he still finds a way. [I] respect him and all that he's put into this game."

Attack Jets Secondary

The aforementioned highest-paid defensive back that New York traded away was two-time All-Pro corner Sauce Gardner, leaving former Raven Brandon Stephens and third-round rookie Azareye'h Thomas as their two starters on the outside. Neither is among the league's elite, although Stephens has been coming in strong as of late, even before Gardner's departure.

Given the familiarity factor between them and his well-documented struggles with tracking and making plays on the ball in the air on vertical routes, expect them to test him early and often. The 1-on-1 contested catch situations between Stephens and five-time Pro Bowl veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins , who starting quarterback, Lamar Jackson wants to get more involved in the passing game, should be fun to watch.

None of the Jets' corners are a match for homegrown Pro Bowl wideout Zay Flowers in man coverage, so he should be set up for success no matter who he lines up across from.

Bottle up Breece Hall

With star wide receiver Garrett Wilson on injured reserve, the last prominent skill position player that the Jets offense flows through, left standing, is the fourth-year running back who leads the team in rushing by more than 300 yards. He is also a dynamic threat out of the backfield as a pass catcher as well with 226 receiving yards.

New York will try to get Hall the ball every which way as frequently as possible, and it is imperative that the Ravens' front seven keep him from getting going on the ground first and foremost, but must also be wearing of him on screens and wheel routes against off-ball linebackers.