The Jets thought the circus left town with former head coach Rex Ryan but the tent has been set up at New York’s camp. New head coach Todd Bowles has plenty to worry about and that includes finding a backup quarterback. Bowles and his Jets get a chance to improve on a poor Week 1 showing hosting the Falcons in a battle of first-time coaches.
ODDS
Even with their poor showing in the preseason opener the Jets opened as 1.5-point favorites. Thanks to this being a home game, which could be good or bad for them. The total opened at 39 with first-team offenses expected to play a bit longer.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Matt Ryan and the Falcons first team offense looked in mid-season form in their opener against the Titans. Ryan completed all six of his pass attempts tossing a 13-yard scoring strike to Julio Jones to culminate his only series. Head coach Dan Quinn has been secretive about his quarterback rotation, but look for Ryan to get an extra series or two. Backup T.J. Yates is likely to get a majority of the snaps with Sean Renfree, who led the Falcons on their game-winning touchdown drive against Tennessee by completing 6 of 7 passes for 68 yards, likely to get some reps.
Ryan Fitzpatrick led the Jets to a field goal in his only series last week at Detroit completing 2 of 3 passes for 16 yards. Backup Bryce Petty could have a future in the NFL but he had a disastrous beginning hitting 10 of 18 for 50 yards with no completion going for more than eight yards. The Jets need some help at the position and brought veteran Matt Flynn in for a physical earlier in the week. It would behoove the Jets to make a move sooner rather than later with the preseason reaching the halfway point.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
Jets camp has resembled the UFC and head coach Todd Bowles is trying to take charge to get back to playing football. The team already lost its starting quarterback as Geno Smith tapped out with a broken jaw from a now ex-teammate and more skirmishes broke out at practice this week forcing the first-year coach to stop practice and have his guys blow off steam by running laps. As a result of recent incidents of fighting among teammates and one involving opposing teams, the league issued a memo to all clubs reminding them that the prohibition on fighting is a point of emphasis in 2015. Bowles must also deal with the fervent Jets fan base who thought the circus had left town when Rex Ryan was let go. Getting back to football, playing a better game than they did in last week’s loss and a win would go a long way toward winning over the Jets fans.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“That looked like a first preseason game looks. If we get killed like that in the third preseason game, I will be concerned, but I’m not right now. We know we have a lot of things to work on, and we’ll keep working on them.” – Jets coach Todd Bowles after losing 23-3 to Detroit last week.
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
The Atlanta Falcons have a good group of running backs – when they’re healthy. Coach Dan Quinn didn’t play his top two runners on his depth chart in the preseason opener, electing to rest Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman after the two missed the week of practice with hamstring injuries. So No. 3 rusher Antone Smith got the call and had 18 yards and a touchdown on nine carries before he too sustained a hamstring injury, now all three are on the shelf. Jerome Smith, Michael Ford and Terron Ward combined for 21 carries and 51 yards on the ground and will be battling for a spot in the likelihood one of the top three running backs has a setback.
INJURIES
The Jets will be without defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson and tight end Jace Amaro for their preseason home opener. Wilkerson’s sore hamstring is still keeping him off the field and Amaro sustained a shoulder injury last week against the Lions. The second-year tight end was battling Jeff Cumberland for the starting spot.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Jets will need Ryan Fitzpatrick to play the entire contest to have a chance of winning this football game and that’s not going to happen. Bryce Petty proved in the opener he’s not ready and New York is seeking help until Geno Smith gets back. Todd Bowles has dealt with a lot already in his short tenure on the job and he will be a better coach for. But will the Jets be a better football team? They’ll play better but come up short in a battle of first-time head coaches.
Atlanta 24, New York 13
BookMaker sent out the NFL odds for this Friday game at New York -1 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.
