The New York Jets have four quarterbacks with potential on the roster, but it remains to be seen if all of them will remain on the team when cutdowns beckon at the end of the preseason. For backups Geno Smith, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, the exhibition slate is a time to show what they can do, and it continues with Week 2 of the preseason against the Washington Redskins. Hackenberg is a rookie so Petty and Smith may be the ones in the crosshairs unless the Jets keep all four signal-callers.
This Week 2 preseason contest will be held on Friday, August 19th, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. ET at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
New York Jets +3.5
Washington Redskins -3.5
Over/Under 40
Odds Analysis
The Redskins have the home field advantage and thus are the favorites in this contest. The line is generally three points in favor of the home team in the preseason, but has bumped up a half-point in favor of Washington. It doesn’t look like much, but it could mean the difference in a win or lost wager if the Redskins squeak out a win by a field goal, which would allow the Jets to cover the spread.
Quarterback Rotation
The Jets recently re-signed starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick after a long contract stalemate, and he could see limited time in this contest. FItzpatrick was sharp in the preseason opener against the Jaguars, completing 3-of-4 passes for 72 yards in a 17-13 win. Bryce Petty and Geno Smith received an equal number of passing attempts. Petty was 7-of-14 for 93 yards while Smith was 8-of-14 for 79 yards and had a touchdown.
Petty and Smith should once again see some snaps, unless coach Todd Bowles decides to sit one in order to get an extended look at Hackenberg. The rookie out of Penn State didn’t play in the opener but seems likely to find time in this game.
The Redskins’ unquestioned starter is Kirk Cousins, and he could ramp up a bit and play a few series against the Jets. Cousins went 5-of-5 for 39 yards in his debut, a 23-17 loss to the Falcons last week. Colt McCoy finished his season debut 7-of-11 for 53 yards and could see some extended time. Nate Sudfeld looked impressive in his first game, completing 10-of-15 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. The Redskins have a pretty nice collection of quarterbacks but will be facing a Jets defense with some talented players, so it should be a good matchup.
Coaching History
New York Jets coach Todd Bowles doesn’t have a lot of preseason experience, but he has been impressive. Bowles is 4-1 in his career in the preseason as a head coach, which includes a 3-1 record last year in addition to the opening win in 2016.
Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden has a career record of 6-3 in the preseason. He has gone 3-1 in each of his first two seasons but did lose last week, so needs to reel off three straight wins the rest of the way in 2016 to keep up the trend, beginning with a win over the Jets.
Free ATS Pick
There is nothing like a quarterback competition to pick up the intensity in the preseason. While Fitzpatrick is locked in as the starter, movement is possible behind him, with fights for the backup spot as well as making the team. That could bring out the best of Geno Smith, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty, and it will be advantageous for the Jets. Even though the game is on the road, the Jets could not only cover but grab an outright win in NFL wagering.
NFL Odds: Jets 21, Redskins 17
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