Jets Vs Panthers Preview

FINALLY!!!! A long offseason and anticipated 2021 season is finally upon us. A lot has changed within that time, and now, the Jets have a new look offensively, new coordinators, and a new HC. This is hopefully the start of a new amazing era in Jets history. With new QB Zach Wilson set to make his Jets debut, it will come at the hands of the Jets former QB Sam Darnold and WR Robby Anderson and the Carolina Panthers. This in a way for Darnold would be a "revenge" matchup being that it will also be his first game in the NFL not in a Jets uniform. The Jets traded him after last year in order to restructure and rebuild the franchise. The game will be down at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Jets last lost there to Cam Newton back in 2013. Hopefully, history doesn't repeat itself in today's contest. 

Before team previews, there is a very brief injury report today, being that it's only the start of the season. Unfortunately, WR Jamison Crowder will miss today's contest after contracting COVID 19, so he will most likely be back for the home opener against the Patriots next weekend. S Sharod Neasman is listed out as well with a hamstring injury. New Jets WR Keelan Cole is listed as questionable with a knee injury, but will be a gametime decision, and sophomore RB La'mical Perine is also listed as questionable as well with a foot injury. It seems likely both of those guys that are questionable will play. 

Now for the Jets Preview, there is lots changed since last season and new look almost everywhere on the field. Now with new OC Mike Lafleur (Packers Coach Matt Lafleur's brother), this offense has a chance to be much more explosive.  At QB, there is a new playmaker in Zach Wilson, and although he is a rookie this year, he will have an opportunity to thrive in this league and play very well in the process. The Jets do have two new RB's that will definitely all be utilized throughout today and the season in general in Tevin Coleman, who was signed to a one year, $2 million this past offseason, and rookie RB Michael Carter who was drafted in the fourth round out of North Carolina (a little homecoming for him today). The Jets do return RB Ty Johnson this year, and he looks to be in the RB carousel as well this season. 

For receivers, the Jets will be down Crowder today as mentioned but do have solid new options available as well. For starters, WR Corey Davis was a huge offseason signing for the Jets, as they signed him to a 3 year, $37.5 million deal this past offseason. He will be the WR1 for the time being. Other new targets include WR Keelan Cole who came from Jacksonville, Rookie WR Elijah Moore from Ole Miss and new Jets TE Tyler Kroft who came from Buffalo. Up front, the Jets have two new OG's in rookie first round pick in Alijah Vera Tucker, and new signing (and cool personality) Dan Feeney as well. The Jets have addressed a lot of issues wrong with the team in the offseason, and it will be a matter of if it all pays off now. 

Defensively, the Jets are very young and have multiple rookies starting today. Two LB's Hamsah Nasirildeen and Jamien Sherwood, along with CB Brandin Echols are all new to the Jets 4-3 defense this year. With a defensive minded HC in Robert Saleh now as well, it would be expected that the Jets do run more blitzes and put more pressure on opposing QB's. New Jets players include S Lamarcus Joyner from Dallas, and DT Sheldon Rankins from New Orleans. DT Quenin Williams is back and healthy finally along with LB CJ Moseley. With new DC Jeff Ulbrich now as well, the Jets have a different approach defensively, and hopefully a better approach in 2021. Even though they're young and the chemistry needs to build, this defense will build as the year goes on. 

Picture Courtesy of SNY

Now for a brief Panthers preview, they come into this year with two former Jets on their offense in QB Sam Darnold and WR Robby Anderson. WR DJ Moore looks to be a big target for them receiving wise as well, and could be someone that Darnold relies on as a big target for him going forward. The biggest threat on the entire Panthers team though would easily be star RB Cristian McCaffery. McCaffery is a playmaker, and is a duel threat with being able to catch out of the backfield and being able to run the ball well. No matter today's result, this guy will not be contained, as he is a true difference maker with any team he plays for. He will probably be the center of attention for the Jets defense as well. Defensively, the Panthers have DE Brian Burns, who can cause havoc to the Jets offensive lineman at any given moment. They also have two featured players in LB Shaq Thompson and rookie first round pick CB Jaycee Horn. Although not amazing defensively, the Panthers do have established players and veterans that can get the job done.

For the final prediction today, I can't help but feel some sort of love for Sam Darnold and although I want to see him succeed and do well, I would prefer it doesn't come at the hands of the Jets. Do I think the Jets will be able to have their way today and pick up the victory? In this case, I don't, and I think it might be a bit of a rough start, but the new look Jets will start to get comfortable as this game goes. It might be too late before the Panthers jump out front early, and I got the Panthers edging the Jets out in this one by a score of 24-21.

-Miles Chamberlain