THE APEX TIMES
New York’s Week 8 loss to the Raiders ended in a disappointment, but the Jets’ passing downfield and an all-hands offensive line look like the foundation of their next stretch.
The New York Jets entered Week 9 coming off a 38-33 loss to the Raiders, yet their in-house Stock Report highlights two offense themes that are trending upward as the team prepares to visit the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium: QB Geno Smith’s effectiveness pushing the ball downfield, and a run game shaped by offensive-line execution.
Through eight games in 2026, Smith has thrown for 1,913 yards with 12 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, which describes as his best eight-game start of his career. The report also ties his momentum to a steady rise in deep-passing production rather than the expected late-career fade.
Smith’s downfield numbers are a key part of that case. In Week 8 against the Raiders, he completed five passes of 20-plus yards, described as the second-most in the league for the week. For the season, among quarterbacks with at least 10 attempts of 20-plus air yards, Smith ranks third in passing yards (565) and fourth in completion percentage over expected (+19.0%).
The Jets are also leaning on that downfield success to create more explosive plays. New York already has 37 explosive pass completions through eight games, compared with 41 over 17 games last season, according to the team’s breakdown.
On the ground, the Stock Report credits the offensive line for helping turn RB Braelon Allen’s Week 8 output into a broader rushing performance. It notes that LG Dylan Parham returned from a knee injury to start, marking the first time New York’s offensive line had been at full strength since Week 4.
also points to run-blocking grades and production split by field direction. Using Next Gen Stats, the Jets averaged 7.1 yards per carry on 9 attempts inside left, 5.5 yards on 4 attempts inside right, 7.0 yards on 5 attempts outside left, and 5.0 yards on 9 attempts outside right.
Across the unit, the report singles out RT Armand Membou (80.7) and RG Joe Tippmann (77.8) as the highest-graded linemen by Pro Football Focus, and it adds that all five starters received run-blocking grades of 60 or higher in Week 8.
For the opponent, Kansas City’s receiving situation is framed as a central question. After a 5-2 start, the Chiefs have relied on a rotating cast, and says they have not established a reliable No. 1 pass catcher, with TE Travis Kelce (410 yards) leading and the team’s other receivers spread between 130 and 240 yards.
The Stock Report cites a specific mismatch to watch: KC ranks No. 5 in total offense and No. 8 in passing yards, but the wide receiver rotation has included drop issues and absences. It notes that WR Xavier Worthy has four drops in seven games, and that WR Rashee Rice missed two games due to injury before returning in Week 8, while WR Tyquan Thornton has been out indefinitely after a Week 6 injury.
With the Jets and Chiefs meeting in Week 9 at Arrowhead, the team’s framing is clear: New York wants to stretch the field with Smith’s deep passing and keep the run game steady behind an intact offensive line, while Kansas City looks for the right receiver combination to stabilize its passing attack.