During one of his press availabilities this week, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson pointed out that his squad and the New York Jets have a lot of similarities. While it’s doubtful many members of the Duval Devout will see that as a good thing, this means that any subtle difference that can be found should be exploited if a team is to battle for a win. Here’s what some of these factors might be.

Prevent Early Offensive Success

While there are some football people out there who don’t believe in momentum in sports, one thing that is a noticeable trend is that when Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers struggles early, he appears to mentally shut down and tends to coast through the rest of the game just short of the point of capitulation. Something that Jacksonville has done consistently regardless of being one of the worst-ranked teams in a gaggle of statistical categories is to keep teams out of the endzone (not named the Detroit Lions) early in games.

Can edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker do their part to bounce back from having only one sack between the two of them last week and force Rodgers into compliance throughout the contest? While he isn’t the NFL great that he used to be anymore, he’s still a jump up from the Tennessee Titans Will Levis.

A Little Offense is Enough for Little

Considering the Jags offense with Mac Jones at quarterback isn’t explosive by any means, Jones is still currently 5-0 against the Jets as a starter. They haven’t scored 20 points as a team in over a month, but their rookie kicker Cam Little is key to breaking that ceiling.

Considering Little’s range sits comfortably at greater than 50 yards, him letting a long field goal or three rip isn’t beyond the realm of possibility. That being said, the Jets defensive talent may make that a necessity to get on the scoreboard if Jacksonville struggles to find the endzone.

Get Brian Thomas Jr Involved

This one isn’t the rocket science that it feels like it has been for offensive coordinator Press Taylor and the Jags coaching staff. Brian Thomas Jr. is at least among the best young NFL stars at the wide receiver position this year. If they get BTJ in the game, the Jags do well.

Case in point, last week the Jaguars put points on the board when Thomas caught the ball more than once in a series.  Number of points scored when that didn’t happen? — ZERO