The New York Jets were beyond bad in their preseason opener last week. New York managed just six first downs and 123 yards of offense in a 23-3 beat down by Detroit.
Don’t expect a big turnaround on offense with another poor performance no surprise in front of the relentless and restless New York fans.
ODDS
The adjustment in price is evident based on the Jets poor performance last week, as New York opened as A -1.5 point favorite with the ‘total’ lined at 39.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
With starter Geno Smith out for a few months with a broken jaw, expect backup Ryan Fitzpatrick to play through the first quarter this week after a limited Jets debut last week going 2/3 for 16 yards. The Jets first team offense was the only group that played okay last week with no player taking more than 10 snaps.
Rookie Bryce Petty offers little hope for success. Petty played all but the first drive versus Detroit and he’s clearly not ready to play QB at this level. Accuracy issues plagued him all night, finishing 10-18 for just 50 yards. Another rookie Jake Heaps could get his chance to play this week.
Matt Ryan was 6-for-6 for 86 yards and a 13-yard TD pass to Julio Jones on the opening drive last week. He’ll be followed again by T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree, who were 9/15 and 6/7 last week.
Renfree made a case for more playing time as he tries to earn the backup job. He earned a top-5 grade of Falcons players by Pro Football Focus’ evaluations.
COACHES MOTIVATION
The motivation will be stronger for the Jets this week following an embarrassing performance at Detroit last week. Early indications of this Chan Gailey Jets offense gives us a glimpse of a heavy run game with a ton of three-step timing patterns.
The poor QB situation makes this more likely, and the Jets should give QB Fitzpatrick more plays under center and chance to improve timing with receivers, but the Lions stronger defensive front will make it tough.
Dan Quinn made his head coaching debut in the Georgia Dome last week and the Falcons played fast and physical as he had promised. The starting offense was especially impressive, and while the backups and defense weren’t as strong, coach Quinn and the Falcon’s offense is in much better shape than the Jets.
However, following the Falcons 31-24 win in which they built a 17-0 lead, the starters won’t be asked for much again this week.
QUOTE TO NOTE
Following the Jets embarrassing performance last week, new Jets coach Todd Bowles offered this. "If this were the third preseason game, we'd be a little more concerned. But we got a lot of work to do."
"I thought our tackling was extremely sloppy," Bowles said. "We've practiced it. We're going to practice it a lot more."
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
Despite signing a four-year extension with the Jets, WR Jeremy Kerley is battling to win the slot receiver spot with bigger receiver Quincy Enunwa, who the coaches actually like more for his ability to block.
"Quincy Enunwa is a bigger guy, so you can quasi have another wide out and a blocker at the same time and do some things," Bowles said.
INJURIES
Jets tight end Jace Amaro suffered a sprained shoulder last week and is likely out until the regular season.
Falcons RBs DeVonte Freeman and rookie Tevin Coleman’s hamstring injuries will keep them sidelined and RB Antone Smith is also out.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Jets were No. 6 against the run last year, and rookie top pick Leonard Williams will be strong at defensive end. But the suspension of Sheldon Williams and day-to-day cautious approach with Muhammad Wilkerson’s hamstring leaves them much weaker at this point along the line.
The Falcons will continue to work on their running game and timing along the line in blocking schemes.
The Jets defense was absolutely brutal versus Detroit. The fundamentals this Todd Bowles defense showed could possibly be the worst first preseason game showing in Jets recent memory. Guys were off balance, out of position and undisciplined a majority of the game.
While the Jets will be motivated to atone for such a poor performance, there are still too many questions and not enough diversity to suggest they can score many points.
Atlanta 20, NY Jets 13
BookMaker sent out the NFL odds for this Friday game at New York -1.5 with a total of 39. Gamble on the game between every commercial break with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next quarter. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The game between the Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets will take place Friday, August 21, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium.
