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Jets try to cure NFC North blues against Lions

Sep 25, 2014 - 6:33 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Rex Ryan's got 99 problems, but run-stopping ain't one.

But unfortunately for his New York Jets, run-stopping won't be what serves them best this weekend.

The Jets host the visiting Detroit Lions - and perennial All-Pro receiver Calvin Johnson - on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, where a defensive secondary held together with duct tape and bubble gum will face the latest in a series of early-season challenges it has thus far not fared so well against.

New York has not managed an interception through its first three games and has permitted a 100-yard wide receiver - first Jordy Nelson, then Alshon Jeffery - in consecutive losses to Green Bay and Chicago.

Last time the Jets faced the Lions, in a 23-20 overtime win in 2010, Johnson caught one pass for 13 yards while being blanketed by Darrelle Revis - now a shutdown cornerback for the New England Patriots.

These days, No. 1 corner Dee Milliner has appeared in just one of the Jets' initial three games and did not participate in Wednesday's practice thanks to a quadriceps injury. It's not a good precursor for a matchup with the Lions' Johnson, who's got 19 catches for 329 yards and three touchdowns thus far.

Opening things up in the early going for the former Georgia Tech star has been the presence of No. 2 target Golden Tate, who came over from Super Bowl champion Seattle in the offseason and has made 16 receptions for 201 yards while being thrown to just 21 times by quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Johnson and Tate have caught 18 balls in 23 third-down tries, which have yielded 316 yards and 16 first downs. Still, with Detroit scoring just 26 points in two games since erupting for 35 in Week 1 against the New York Giants, progress is both needed and expected, especially against a non- conference foe.

Johnson has compiled more than 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns on 84 catches in his last dozen games against AFC opposition. He enters the game with 591 career receptions, and a nine-catch effort against the Jets - in his 110th NFL appearance - would be the seventh-fastest ascension to 600 in history.

On defense, the Lions held Green Bay to 223 total yards in a 19-7 last week, seven days after the Packers had racked up 310 passing yards in a come-from- behind defeat of the Jets at Lambeau Field.

Middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch, however, is gone for the season with a knee injury suffered against Green Bay, which leaves holdovers DeAndre Levy and Tahir Whitehead to take up the slack.

Detroit has allowed 244.3 yards per game through three weeks, and just 2.8 yards per rush attempt.

"To the team in general it's a great loss because (Tulloch) is the leader of the defense," Whitehead said. "I consider Tully a brother to me, and when I heard the news I was really hurt because I was praying that it wasn't as serious as they were saying initially. And then I came in (Monday) and it was just heartbreaking."

Whitehead and his role-shifting teammates will line up against embattled New York quarterback Geno Smith, who's endured another week of scrutiny after a Monday night loss to Chicago in which a screen pass was picked off and returned for a touchdown, and the Jets scored one TD in six red-zone trips.

Smith would up with 316 pass yards in the 27-19 loss, but got a post-game endorsement from Ryan.

"Everybody's behind Geno," Ryan said. "He's our quarterback and our football team believes in him, so that's it. Here's why I believe so much that Geno will improve: I've seen him improve. I've seen him make huge improvements, from where he was last year and from how he progressed through the season, where he's at. But I'll say this: I think he's going to continue to improve. I truly believe that."

Smith has been intercepted four times and sacked twice on first downs, and he's the only quarterback other than long-time Dallas whipping boy Tony Romo with more than two first-down picks.

Alongside, New York's rushing game is second-best in the league with 472 overall yards, but it's been limited to two or fewer yards on 14 of 32 second- down carries. Chris Ivory went for 44 yards against the Bears and averaged 5.7 yards per carry, putting himself in position to take over the feature back role in a crowded backfield that also includes Bilal Powell and offseason arrival Chris Johnson.

"Maybe Chris Ivory will get more time because he's certainly running hard," Ryan said. "He's doing a great job out of the backfield and there's not a whole lot of guys that want to tackle him."

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

A Bush-League Run Game

Though their problems against high-octane quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler are well-documented, the Jets have suffocated runners to the tune of 2.8 yards per carry and a league-best 55 yards per game through two weeks. If Ryan can come up with a way to hold the aforementioned Johnson and Tate to a dull roar, it'll be up to Reggie Bush to make headway on the ground.

Patching the Defensive Holes

The Lions have been equally proficient in stopping opposition runners through three games, but the absence of Tulloch could open some things up if the Jets settle on a primary runner, or if they continue the rush-by-committee approach. Either way, though, they'll need a more consistent Smith - not the version who's already been responsible for five turnovers. If not, perhaps Michael Vick takes a bow.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Even in the days of Revis Island, the Jets had consistent problems with teams that had viable No. 2 options at wide receiver, and the sorts of dynamic running backs who could create matchup problems for safeties and linebackers in coverage.

The Lions, with Johnson, Tate and Bush in the fold, have precisely the personnel to make migraines for a Gang Green not nearly on that level these days.

Sports Network predicted outcome: Lions 24, Jets 20