Can Zach Wilson, Jets Exorcise the Demons vs. Patriots? Week 7 Preview, Predictions
The New York Jets (1-4) have had plenty to chew on during their bye week, namely trying to figure out how to get their offense rolling on a more consistent basis.
Currently the Jets rank next to last in total offense, averaging 267 yards per game. Only the Chicago Bears are worse. New York is also 30th in passing offense, and 31st in rushing. The Jets knew that it would be a bumpy road with a rookie quarterback, Zach Wilson, and a rookie offensive coordinator, Mike LaFleur, and a rookie head coach in Robert Saleh. However after a lengthy bye week, the Jets need to show if their young core can improve moving forward.
Can the Jets get young wide receivers Denzel Mims and Elijah Moore more involved in the offense than they have been? Both have been very quiet this year. Can Wilson reduce his proclivity for turnovers? So far this year he tossed 9 interceptions, and is on pace to shatter Peyton Manning’s rookie record for interceptions in a season, which was 28 back in 1998. Wilson is on pace for 30 INT’s. Can the Jets showcase the kind of positive trajectory that gives the organization confidence moving forward?
All are key questions as we head toward late October.
Unfortunately for the Jets, the schedule is not getting any easier. They face a New England Patriots team that throttled them back in week 2, 25-6. Zach Wilson tossed four interceptions in that game, and it is never easy going up against a Bill Belichick-schemed defense. After New England, a date with the high-powered Cincinnati Bengals and their quarterback Joe Burrow and talented wide-out Ja’Marr Chase is on tap for Halloween.
WATCH LIVE: Zach Wilson speaks to the media on Thursday of Patriots week https://t.co/KjBo1jOo3v
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 21, 2021
In short, don’t expect many wins, but progress is what is important for Gang Green.
COHEN’S FOX SPORTS New Jersey PICK SIX:
Last week picks record: 5-1
NY Jets (1-4) @ New England (2-4) – 1:00 p.m. CBS.
As mentioned this is a tough spot for the Jets. New England has not won a home game yet this season, although they have come close. Mac Jones has played well at quarterback for a rookie; proving it helps to have experienced personnel (i.e. Belichick at HC, and Josh McDaniels at Offensive Coordinator) around a young signal caller. Jones leads all rookie QBs in passing yards (1,472) and completions percentage (71 %). The Jets must generate a pass rush the way the did against Tennessee if they stand a chance. And, Zach Wilson can’t turn it over. Patriots are due at home. PICK: Patriots 24, Jets 10.
Carolina (3-3) @ NY Giants (1-5) – 1:00 p.m. FOX
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Carolina Panthers throws the ball during the first half in the game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium on September 19, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
The headline here is ex-Jets quarterback Sam Darnold making his return to MetLife Stadium. After starting out fast the first three weeks of the year, the Panthers and Darnold have come crashing back to earth. Darnold had his worst game as a Panther last weekend, completing 40 percent of his passes in a overtime loss to the Vikings. Since Christian McCaffery got injured in Week 3, Darnold has thrown six interceptions. He had only one pick with the talented McCaffery taking pressure off him at running back. What will it be against the Giants? It should be turnover-palooza between Darnold and Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. The Giants looked lifeless last week against the Rams; they need a win at home in the worst way to quiet the noise. PICK: PANTHERS 23, GIANTS 17
Kansas City (3-3) @ Tennessee (4-2) – 1:00 p.m.
Hard to understand why this matchup was not a 4:25 kick-off, or even a Sunday night matchup. You got Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce on one side, and dynamic running back Derrick Henry on the other. The star power is off the charts. This is a terrific match-up, and a rematch of the AFC title game from two years ago. Chiefs are trying to win on the road for the second straight week, while Tennessee is coming off a huge Monday night win against Buffalo. The key will be the Chiefs defense against Henry. The Chiefs are 27th in the league against the run, but KC may get defensive end Chris Jones back this week. While Mahomes has turned the ball over a lot, he is going up against a banged up secondary for the Titans. PICK: CHIEFS 30, TITANS 27
Cincinnati (4-2) @ Baltimore (5-1) – 1:00 p.m.
Another game that is getting disrespected in the 1:00 window. Can the red hot Bengals take down the Ravens? Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are a lethal down field combination, but this might be too big of a stage for a young Bengals squad. The Ravens know how to win at all costs. And Lamar Jackson is playing some of his best football. PICK: RAVENS 34, BENGALS 24.
Detroit (0-6) @ LA Rams (5-1) – 4:05 p.m.
This is only intriguing for the simple fact that the game features the two quarterbacks involved in a blockbuster trade last March. Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford switch teams last off-season, and for Stafford the trade is working out great. He looks like a totally different quarterback playing for Sean McVay’s high-octane offense for the Rams. LA is 5-1, and Stafford already has 16 touchdown passes this season. As for Goff, his leadership came into questions by Lions head coach Dan Campbell. It’s getting bad in Detroit. Real bad. PICK: RAMS 37 – LIONS 9.
"Matthew Stafford's loyalty probably cost him the Hall of Fame."
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) October 21, 2021
— @ColinCowherd revisits the Rams/Lions trade with the two teams set to meet Sunday: pic.twitter.com/FFkx652SKk
Chicago (3-3) @ Tampa Bay (5-1) – 4:25 p.m. FOX
Justin Fields has really struggled this season since taking over for Andy Dalton as Bears quarterback. He’s completed only 53 percent of his passes and has two touchdowns. While he isn’t losing games for the Bears, they aren’t winning much either. Now the Bears head to Florida to take on Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl Champion Buccaneers. This won’t be close come the second half. PICK: BUCCANEERS 34 – BEARS 17.
