Jets Vs Lions Preview

Following two very tough close-scoring losses for the Jets, they return back to Metlife for their final two-game home stretch as they play hosts to Jared Goff and the red hot Detroit Lions at Metlife Stadium. The Lions are now 5-1 in their last six games and have found themselves in pretty similar positioning to the Jets in the hunt, only in opposite conferences, so much will be at stake for both of these teams tomorrow. 

Despite losing last week, Jets QB Mike White showed his resilience and fought through what was to be diagnosed with a broken rib in that frigid Buffalo weather, so hats off to him, and we wish him a speedy recovery.  In order for the Jets to find a way to clinch the postseason berth for the first time since the 2010-11 season and end the NFL's longest playoff drought in the league, it would be ideal for the Jets to win out their final four games or at the minimum to win three of their final four games. For today, they'll have to figure out a way to win with QB Zach Wilson back under center for his first start since his disappointing week 11 start against the Patriots which resulted in a loss. 

QB Zach Wilson will pick up his first start since
his tough outing back in New England in week 11 

For today, as I normally start with the injury report, something new we haven't written about much on here is playoff scenarios and what the Jets fans need to be on the lookout for in other games outside of the Jets Lions contest. Currently, as it stands, the Jets do sit on the outside looking in following last week's tough loss on the road in Buffalo against the Bills. This leaves a three way tie of teams with records of 7-6, being the Patriots (who currently possess the 7th and final seed in), the Chargers (outside looking in), and the Jets (outside looking in). The bad part about this scenario is that the Jets do not own a tiebreaker with either the Patriots or Chargers since they lost twice to the Patriots and the Chargers have a better AFC conference record. 

Realistically, the most ideal scenario we have set for tomorrow would be a Jets win coupled with losses by the Patriots (they play the Raiders in Vegas) and the Chargers (they host the Titans), both of which are in the late-game hour. With the Miami Dolphins losing yesterday night to the Bills in Buffalo, the Jets would also bounce ahead of them with a win and owning the tiebreaker as well having beat them back in October. It is fair to say that starting tomorrow, a lot is at stake, and it's the most about the Jets and the playoffs we've ever written about since the beginning of this blog back in mid-2018. Exciting and meaningful December football is right upon us in New York for the first time in a long time. 

For today's injury report, starting with the Lions, OG Kayode Awosika is listed as out with an ankle injury, while LB Derrick Barnes is also listed as out with a knee injury. DT Michael Brockers is listed as doubtful with an illness, while four players are listed as questionable, two of which being key starters. Those starters are veteran center Frank Ragnow with a foot injury and rookie DE Aidan Hutchinson with an illness. They both more than likely will suit up for tomorrow. 

For the Jets, the main injury comes with QB Mike White, who suffered a broken rib in last week's loss to Buffalo. After the initial thought this week was that he would be able to suit up and play this weekend, the doctors were unable to clear him, so Jets HC Robert Saleh decided to give QB Zach Wilson a second shot after being inactive for the past three games. WR Corey Davis and CB Brandin Echols both are out of this contest with a concussion and quadricep injury respectively. DT Quinnen Williams is listed as questionable with a calf injury, but it seems more than likely that with the stakes on the line, he will suit up and play. 

The Lions will feature QB Jared Goff, who has
played some of the best football of his career as of recent

For a preview of the Lions, it starts from their coaching and their offense. After starting off the season with a 1-6 record, they have shown lots of resilience and fight and have looked like a completely different football team these past six weeks, which now has them competing for a playoff spot in the NFC, all in thanks to their HC Dan Campbell, who is a true locker room leader and repeatedly shows lots of belief in all his players, very similarly to HC Robert Saleh. On offense, they are led by QB Jared Goff, who has been on fire as of recent and has helped this dynamic offense start to click at the right time of the season. In the backfield, they split carries between RBs De'Andre Swift and Jammal Williams, who both are proven backs and can run down defenses well. They also feature a solid all-around receiving group with WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds, DJ Chark, Khalif Raymond, and rookie Jameson Williams. The reason i mention all of these players is cause the Lions offensive attack is so balanced that all of these players are used in some which way. The weak link is probably at TE, since trading away TJ Hockenson, so Brock Wright is now the new TE. Not only can this offense put up points, but Lions OC Ben Johnson has been able to feature one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the NFL this season, having so many available and reliable options in the offense. 

Defensively, the Lions do struggle, especially on the road, and this can be something the Jets do expose. While their pass rush is ok, their secondary struggles a lot for the most part. In the pass rush, the most notable pass rusher is former University of Michigan star DE Aidan Hutchinson, if he's ok to play. He is s duel threat and not only rushes the QB well, but can drop back and play coverage, where he even has had a few INT's this season. With the LBs, LB Alex Anzalone, who can be hard to miss with his long blonde hair on the field, is solid in pass rush as well. He is an ultra aggressive LB and makes quality plays on the field. In the secondary, although pretty weak, the one CB worth mentioning that has been good is CB Jeff Okudah, who was a former top 5 pick for the Lions, when he was picked third in the 2020 draft by them. He is still developing, but has shown some big leaps even early in his career, but still can be exposed despite the fact. On the other side, they will start CB Will Harris. 

For the Jets to win today, being that QB Zach Wilson is now starting, the Jets must continue to use what works for them, especially in the ground game. Two players in particular who have been solid as of recent include RB Zonovan "Bam" Knight and WR Garett Wilson, who both are having solid rookie campaigns so far. "Bam" is coming off of his solid performance against Buffalo, where he would rush for 71 yards and have the Jets' only TD of last week's game, which would win him the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week. It will help to use Knight against a weaker run-stopping team in the Lions to help put the pressure off Wilson from having to throw as much. Defensively, if the Jets continue to play as they have been, keep it simple, they are capable of containing this offense, despite all the different options they have available. 

For today's prediction, I believe today will be a late season dogfight and that it will come right to the end. However, the Jets are coming with chips on their shoulders and wanting to win badly in what is almost like a must win game today. I will take the Jets to win this one by a close score of 20-17. 

-Miles Chamberlain  

Jets rookie RB Zonovan "Bam" Knight has continued
to thrive early in his rookie season, having won the
 Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week award
for his performance in Buffalo last week