Five Key Matchups: vs. Jets

There probably weren't many people expecting the 38-year-old McCown to have a career year with the Jets this season, but he has smashed those expectations, as well as those that people had about the Jets' outlook. McCown has completed almost 68 percent of his passes for 2,880 yards, 18 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. He has also run for five scores as he's helped lead the Jets to a 5-7 record. "He has done an outstanding job for us on the field," Jets head coach Todd Bowles said during a Wednesday conference call. "He's like a coach on the field for us. He's a great locker room guy as well. He helps bring the team together. [He's] one of the leaders of our team. He's done wonders for us this year."Chris Harris Jr. and the rest of the "No-Fly Zone" will have to be fundamentally sound to ensure McCown stays grounded during the Jets' visit to Denver. If they can do that, the Broncos may finally put their skid to rest.

The defensive performance hasn't always been perfect this season, but if there's one area in which the Broncos have been more than solid, it's against the run game. Through 13 weeks, the Broncos allow the second fewest yards per carry of any team in the NFL. If they can continue that sort of effort again today, they'll be in good position to earn a win against Matt Forte and the New York Jets.Forte has battled a knee injury this season and hasn't been the same sort of home-run threat he was last year for the Jets. That injury seems to finally be healing, though, and Forte may be able to make a late-season push for New York. Alongside Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire, Forte helps fuel the unit on which the offense relies. And if healthy, he can be the type of player on which the defense must key.Linebacker Todd Davis will be just one of the Denver players instrumental in slowing down the Jets' running game. The 25-year-old, who has started 10 games for the Broncos this season, has tallied 54 tackles and several key stops for the unit. If he can provide the same sort of effort, the Broncos will be in good position to continue their success that's spanned most of the season. And if that's the case, the Jets may be forced to throw the ball more than they would like. Against the "No-Fly Zone," that's a recipe for Denver success.

Despite facing Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake last week in Miami, the Broncos' offensive line created some success on the ground for their group of running backs, posting their best per-rush numbers since Week 8. They'll have to keep that effort up Sunday against New York for the Broncos' offense to stay balanced and dangerous. And when Trevor Siemian goes back to pass, they'll have to keep Leonard Williams away from him. Williams has 23 quarterback hits this season, but if Max Garcia can hold him at arm's length, the offense will have an easier day.

Simply put, no player has been more destructive on defense for the Jets than Demario Davis. He leads the team in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss. He also has 12 quarterback hits and three passes defensed. To keep Davis on his heels, the Broncos will need to have a balanced attack to keep the Jets defense. And to do that, Denver will need C.J. Anderson to continue the bruising effort he started against the Dolphins.

Tight ends have been dangerous against the Broncos, and Austin Seferian-Jenkins could give the defense problems with his role in the Jets' offense. Darian Stewart's physicality could be key in breaking up passes to Seferian-Jenkins and keeping him out of the end zone, which could be significant in ending the Broncos' losing streak.