It's no secret that whatever success the Jets' offense enjoys hinges largely on the performance (and availability) of running backs Bilal Powell and Matt Forte.
But as the Jets prepare for Sunday's home game against the Patriots -- a matchup of 3-2 teams tied atop the AFC East -- both Powell and Forte are ailing.
Forte has missed two straight games due to turf toe. And Powell strained his calf in Sunday's win at the Browns. This is not an ideal situation for the Jets, even though rookie Eli McGuire has done some promising things so far this season.