The Jets are coming to M&T Bank Stadium for a critical game for both teams.
Here are five things to know about the 2013 squad:
1. Roller coaster season
The Jets are the first team in NFL history to alternate wins and losses over the first 10 games of a season. No consecutive wins. No consecutive losses. New York's ups and downs have been highlighted over its past four games. The Jets beat their rival Patriots in overtime in Week 7. Then they were blown out by the Bengals a week later. They rebounded to topple New Orleans, but fell to the Bills after the bye. "I hope that trend continues this week, because we should win it this week," Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan said.
2. Similar road woes
The Ravens have struggled on the road this season, posting a 1-5 record. The Jets, who will be coming to M&T Bank Stadium, have also not enjoyed traveling. The Jets are 1-4 away from MetLife Stadium. Their only road win was over the last-place Atlanta Falcons.
3. Geno is coughing it up
The Jets have 21 turnovers this year. Rookie quarterback Geno Smith is responsible for 20 of them. Smith has thrown 16 interceptions and fumbled eight times (lost four). He tossed three interceptions last week to the Bills. The second-round pick is second in the NFL in interceptions, trailing New York's Eli Manning by one. He's got three more picks than Joe Flacco.
4. Nasty run defense
Rex Ryan's defense is thriving once again. His Jets lead the NFL in rush defense, surrendering just 73.2 rushing yards per game and a league-low 2.9 yards per attempt. New York has two young first-round defensive ends in Muhammad Wilkerson (eight sacks) and Sheldon Richardson (50 tackles, including eight for loss). Nose tackle Damon Harrison has become a handful inside too. The three make up what could be the best 3-4 defensive line in football right now.
5. Two former Ravens starting at safety
Ryan loves his Ravens. The former Baltimore defensive coordinator brought in Dawan Landry at strong safety this past offseason, then convinced management to sign Ed Reed after he was released last week by the Texans. Both are starting in New York. Reed and Landry played alongside each other for five years in Baltimore, and they're trying to improve a Jets pass defense ranked 23rd in the NFL (251 yards per game).
