Week 1 will prove to be an interesting barometer for the Jets’ 2020 prospects.

Since no NFL team played a preseason game because of the coronavirus pandemic, all anyone knows about each other is what they’ve read or watched online. The Bills are an even trickier opponent since the two teams were so evenly matched last year after splitting two tight contests. 

The Jets finished with one of the worst offenses in 2019, so it’s hard to imagine New York having a worse team this season after Joe Douglas completely revamped the offensive line and brought in a few new wide receivers for Sam Darnold. But they could be in for another abysmal offensive season unless Adam Gase changes his gameplan.

At the very least, the beginning of the season gives a level of hope the rest of the year won’t. The possibilities are endless and predictions aren’t based on much other than 2019 tape and fuzzy camera-phone tweets.  The Jets have changed a lot since last season but it’s hard to tell how they’ll fare against a playoff-caliber team in the Bills that added weapons on offense and fortified its defense.

As the opener approaches, here’s a look at four keys to the Jets offense vs. the Bills in Week 1.

Run the ball more

This strategy works for three reasons: 1) it tests an improved offensive line, 2) it tests Le’Veon Bell’s athleticism and 3) it goes in lock-step with a trend of run-heavy teams finishing among the league’s best. The top-two scoring offenses (Baltimore and San Francisco) in 2019 were also the top-two rushing offenses and nine of the 10 best rushing teams made the playoffs last season. 

The Jets, meanwhile, averaged only 23.93 rushes per game in 2019 – which is below the 26.1 league average. In games where they rushed for their average, they went 1-9. But in games they rushed at least 25 times, they went 6-0. Meanwhile, the Bills were 2-4 in 2019 in games they allowed at least 120 rushing yards.

Now that Bell will have a line featuring Mekhi Becton, Connor McGovern, George Fant, Alex Lews and Greg Van Roten, he should have a better time finding rushing lanes. The Jets also have veteran Frank Gore to run the rock. If the Jets want to improve, running more is their best bet.