New York Jets cornerback Michael Carter II (30) celebrates an interception with cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) in a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, August 28, 2022. Nfl Giants Vs Jets Preseason Game Giants At Jets
Game Information
2022 Season Leaders
Passing: Russell Wilson (116/198, 1,442 yards, 5 TDs, 3 INTs)
Rushing: Javonte Williams 47/204
Receiving: Courtland Sutton 31/431/1
Tackles: Alex Singleton (47)
Sacks: Bradley Chubb (5.5)
Interceptions: Caden Sterns (2)
Jets/Broncos History
Matchups to Watch
Broncos star wideout Jerry Jeudy is one of the best young route runners in the NFL. According to PFF’s Premium Stats, Jeudy is playing 70.7% of his snaps in the slot, which means he will be matched up with Michael Carter II. A second year player out of Duke, Carter II has looked impressive this year, with 1 interception and 2 passes defensed, along with 18 total tackles. If the perimeter corners can take care of business against Courtland Sutton and K.J. Hamler, Jeudy and Carter could be the matchup that gets tested consistently. With only 1 contested catch on 7 targets and 3 total drops of the year, the Jets slot corner could win this battle a majority of the time.
Keys to Victory
Perimeter contain in the pass game. Brett Rypien will get the start over Russell Wilson, who has struggled to find pass catchers across the middle of the field, instead passing them up for deep shots on the boundary. Wilson also has a 38.2% completion percentage on passes of 20+ yards with 2 interceptions. While we have not seen what Brett Rypien will do, the Jets will have to continue shutting down the deep passing game to stay ahead of the chains defensively.
Force the Broncos offense into 3rd and longs. Denver has struggled mightily on 3rd downs this season, converting at a 30.2% rate, 30th in the league. Last week, their average 3rd down distance was 6.6 yards, so the Jets need to get them into 3rd and 7+ to force critical errors by Brett Rypien. this offensive line is prone to allowing sacks on 3rd down, surrendering 4 just last week to the Los Angeles Chargers. New York’s defense has been great at getting off the field on 3rd down during their 3-game winning streak, holding opponents to a 35.8% conversion rate (14/39), which would be top-10 overall this season.
Prediction
Coming off two consecutive victories, both in which the Jets offense took over in the second half, this game is certainly one for the taking. In all of Denver’s games this season, the score was within 3 points in the 4th quarter. When facing a team in the Jets that is leading the league in many 4th quarter categories, it’s likely going to bode well for New York. The Jets defense has allowed 13.5 PPG the last two weeks, while Denver is last in offensive PPG with 15.1, so this game may be a “race to 20 points”. The Broncos defense, led by Patrick Surtain, Justin Simmons and Bradley Chubb, are 4th in points allowed (99), 5th in passing yards allowed (1,107) and 6th in rushing yards allowed (635), so Zach Wilson & Co. will need to be as efficient as possible in order to move the ball down the field. Ending drives in touchdowns and not field goals will be the difference in this game. New York keeps the streak going, in another tough road environment. I would certainly take the Jets and the spread, but I would take the Under in this game given the strength of both defenses.