Oct 16, 2022; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) celebrates defeating the Green Bay Packers by wearing a cheesehead on the field following the game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: New York Jets at Green Bay Packers
The Jets look to stay on their high horse this week as they take on the Broncos in Denver at 4:05 p.m. this Sunday. You’d have to rewind all the way back to Week 5 of the 2018 season to the last time the Jets defeated the Broncos.
Quinnen Wiliams and the Gang Green are coming off of a dominant performance against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Williams registered five tackles, two sacks, three quarterback hits, two tackles for a loss, and even blocked a field goal in the Jets shocking Week 6 win. This could present a big problem for Broncos’ offensive line as Denver still looks to makes adjustments following the loss of their LT Garrett Bolles.
It would be fair to say the Russell Wilson experiment has not met expectations this season. The $240M dollar QB was sacked four times against the Chargers as Denver fell to 2-4 on the season. Wilson has been sacked 20 times, which is good for the sixth most in the league. Russ has just thrown five touchdowns to three interceptions with a 58.6 completion percentage through his first six games as a Bronco. The 33-year old also suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 6 loss, and is still deemed questionable for Sunday’s game.
The Broncos offense may be struggling but their defense is performing at an elite level. Pro Football Focus gives their secondary’s coverage a 90.6 grade and a pass rush grade of 82.4. They are the only team with a coverage and pass rush grade over 80. The Broncos defense was able to hold Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert to a 66.3 QBR which is his lowest on the year. The Broncos D also held Herbert to zero touchdowns for the first time in his career.
Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur had this to say to the media about Denver’s defense: They’re loaded both with brains and physical ability. I think you can tell the foundation they’ve had going into their fourth year…they’re fast, they fly around, they’re very smart, they’re never out of position…”.
The Broncos pass rush has pure talent on it and can get after the quarterback. Protecting Zach in this one and Zach continuing to be smart with the football is a necessity. Broncos’ linebacker Baron Browning is having a breakout second season thus far and had an interception (fumble recovery on that int), three total tackles, two tackles for a loss, and a sack this past Monday night.
Other notable talent on that defensive front is outside linebacker Bradley Chubb who is having his best season since 2020 and has five and a half sacks on the year thus far. Throw in the fourth year man out of Ohio State, defensive lineman Dre’mont Jones and you’ve got a scary bunch.
For the Jets, utilizing the 12 player personnel on offense seems to be working well. The two tight ends, two wide receivers, and a running back look. Tight ends CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin have been very instrumental in the pass blocking game. Something that will certainly be useful for Wilson as it has been for the past few weeks since the Jets have increased the use of their tight ends.
Gang Green will surely continue to feed the rookie sensation Breece Hall who rumbled for 116 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown last week in Green Bay. The Jets have certainly morphed into more of a run-first football team as the season has progressed. Hall has been a reliable pass catcher for Wilson and he has 218 yards on 19 receptions thus far this season.
Prediction:
The Broncos are a team without a true identity especially on the offensive side of the ball and discipline issues. The Jets defense is playing red hot and the pass rush should wreak havoc on Wilson (if he plays) on Sunday. The Jets offense is going up against a very formidable defense but the offensive line seems to be in sink and Wilson is playing smart football. I am taking the Jets in this one by a score of 27-13.
Things to Note:
- Rookie defensive end Jermaine Johnson is most likely out for Sunday’s game
- Broncos cornerback Demarri Mathis had four pass interference penalties called on him against the Chargers giving their offense 87 total yards.
