The Jets head into Week 4 of the NFL season in what could potentially be the worst rated Thursday Night Football games of the year. Yes, I said it. THE WORST! The winless 0-3 Jets will be playing host at Metlife Stadium to the winless 0-3 Broncos and brand new named starting QB and once third string QB Brett Rypien. QB Sam Darnold must bounce back this week in order to see the Jets try to win this one. A huge factor coming into this game is the job of HC Adam Gase, who has already agreed under contract that if the Jets lose this week, he will be fired. In his case, it's a win or go home kind of scenario. (Update: Contract was revoked Report: NFL.com)
The Jets reached an all time low last week, losing 36-7 to the Colts. From offensive to defensive play, basically, not a single thing went right in that game. It was rather hard to watch, and it was an all around poor performance. It was as if the Jets didn't even want to play anymore, and no discipline was present. This poor play and lack of care has to change or the Jets will just continue in their losing ways and become the NFL's laughing stock yet again.
The injury report also continues to pile up for this one tonight as well, as nine players are already considered either questionable, doubtful, out, or IR. Some notable players on this list include Breshad Perriman, who is out again this week, along with OT and first round draft pick Mekhi Becton, WR Jamison Crowder, and WR Chris Hogan, who are all listed as questionable. RB Le'veon Bell is still on IR and isn't eligible to come off until at least week five, along with rookie WR Denzel Mims.
It seems likely that Crowder will suit up tonight after missing both the games against the 49ers and the Colts within the past two weeks. Since he is likely to return, he will be a major offensive piece back in the lineup and he could be a difference maker for the Jets offense tonight. TE's Chris Herndon and Ryan Griffin must be more involved as well in the passing game in order to help Sam Darnold have more reliable targets to throw to. RB Frank Gore will also pick up another start tonight, and the Jets must continue to use him and block better for him, as he can be explosive out of the backfield. Rookie RB La'Mical Perine should also expect to see more carries going forward as well now too.
For the quick preview for the Broncos, this team is primarily defense oriented, and have big names on the defensive side such as FS Justin Simmons, LB Bradley Chubb, and DE Shelby Harris. They are even thin defensively being without both LB Von Miller and DE Jurell Casey for the season, who both are on IR. Although limited, this defense is lead well by DC Ed Donatell and proves to be a middle of the road to top-line defense in the league. They for sure will be coming after Darnold in tonight's matchup, and the Jets Offensive line MUST block better as mentioned in previous preview articles. Constant pressure on Darnold will cause him to make mistakes, as it was proven last week in his 3 INT game.
Offensively, the Broncos are pretty thin at the WR spot, after losing top wideout Courtland Sutton for the season with an ACL tear and are lead by WR Jerry Jeudy, who is a star rookie from Alabama. The Jets secondary has been getting beat up quite a bit in the early stretches this year, and the penalties continue to mount game by game as well. Tonight is a chance for the Jets defense to take advantage up front and in the secondary as the Broncos are thin offensively.
The best offensive player they have is star RB Melvin Gordon, who has proven his worth in the league with his past seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. RB Phillip Lindsay will play a big role if he is probable as well (currently questionable to play). TE Noah Fant also picks up a lot of the receiving yards as well, and with limited receivers available, his new QB Brett Rypien will most likely utilize him a lot tonight also. Other notables include WR Tim Patrick and WR KJ Hamler. If the Jets can put pressure on QB Brett Rypien in his first ever NFL start, they may find themselves with an opportunity for themselves to win this game.
Although it has been hard for me personally to believe in the Jets early on in the 2020 campaign, tonight could very well be a matchup that is favorable. Even though the Jets have not lead once in any of their first three games yet this year, that will change tonight, whether they win or lose. I expect this to be a lower scoring game too, as both defenses will play well. Even though the line this week has the Broncos at a minus three in this matchup, I believe that the Jets will be able to cover their plus three spread and hang on to win at Metlife tonight. In what might be a slow and boring game to watch, I'll take the Jets to get their first win of the young 2020 season and win this one 14-10.
-Miles Chamberlain
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| Bradley Chubb (Left) and Sam Darnold (Right) |
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