Jets Turn to Mr. White at QB, Week 8 Preview & Predictions

Let's face it, this season has not gone the way the New York Jets had hoped. Certainly tough times were expected this year. A rookie quarterback. A rookie head coach. A rookie offensive coordinator. A bunch of first and second year players on the roster. Yeah, it was going to be a rough go of things in 2021.

But, who could have foreseen this? Zach Wilson is out for at least two weeks, if not an entire month, after spraining the PCL in his right knee in a 54-13 blowout loss to the New England Patriots.

The Jets have a injury list full the size of an entire roster: Wilson, wide receiver Corey Davis; linebacker C.J. Mosely; defensive end Shaq Lawson; defensive end Carl Lawson; offensive tackle Mekhi Becton. And those are just the notable injuries.

In the stead of Wilson will be Mike White, who will make his first professional start of his career against the 5-2 Cincinnati Bengals. White came in for Wilson last week and played just "ok", tossing for 202 yards, a touchdown and two picks.

Nobody is expecting White to turn into Tom Brady or Kurt Warner here. If he struggles this week, look for the Jets to find a way to get veteran Joe Flacco under center at some point.

Instability at the most important position on the field? The Jets hoped those days were over. Not quiet. Not yet.

Mike Cohen's FOX SPORTS NEW JERSEY PICK SIX!

Last week 3-3

Season: 8-4

Steelers (3-3) @ Browns (4-2) - 1:00

Quarterback Baker Mayfield is expected to play for the Browns this week, despite suffering a shoulder fracture and torn labrum. It's stunning that the Browns are clearing him after just one week away from the field. One more hit to the shoulder in the wrong place could lead to a season ending injury. It's a huge risk. Still Nick Chubb is back at tailback for Cleveland to take some pressure off. The Steelers aren't exactly like THE STEELERS anymore. Big Ben Roethlisberger looks his age. Pittsburgh has struggled to replace JuJu Smith Schuster at wide receiver. Mike Tomlin to USC rumors? Really? Nah.

Upset Special: STEELERS 23 - BROWNS 20

Bengals (5-2)@ Jets (1-5) - 1:00 CBS

As I wrote above, the Jets are turning to Mike White to get the job done against the red hot Bengals. It won't help matters that Corey Davis is doubtful for the game with a hip injury. That means Robert Saleh and his coaching staff will have to give more playing time to Denzel Mims and Elijah Moore. The question for the Bengals is can they handle prosperity? They blew out the Ravens a week ago, and next week they host the Browns. This is the ultimate trap game for Cincy. I expect the Jets to keep it close, but Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase are just too explosive.

PICK: BENGALS 27 - JETS 17

Eagles (2-5) @ Lions (0-7) - 1:00

So Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is under fire after comparing Philly's struggles to growing flowers. FLOWERS!?!?!

The Lions have played hard for coach Dan Campbell. They competed against the Rams last week; had a lead late, but still lost. Expect the Lions to rip a page out of Campbell's "bite knee-caps" press conference from last January, and finally get a 'W'.

PICK: LIONS 26 - EAGLES 21

Buccaneers (6-1) @ Saints (4-2) - 4:25 p.m. FOX

Tampa Bay returns to the scene of the crime, as some would say, from last season's divisional playoff where the Bucs upset the Saints. The script is a little different this time around. It's no longer about Tom Brady vs. Drew Brees, but rather, Saints quarterback Jamies Winston against his old team. While Winston will be out for some vendetta, it's a tall order for a ordinary Saints squad against what might be the best team in the NFC.

PICK: BUCCANEERS 31 - SAINTS 23

Cowboys (5-1) @ Vikings (3-3)

This feels like the kind of game ready made for an upset. It's Sunday night. The Cowboys are on the road. Vikings fans are going to be going nuts. And there is question about Dak Prescott's health.

Prescott's broken ankle is a cause for concern; his status is a game time decision. If the Cowboys can't play Prescott, it will certainly swing momentum the way of the Vikings. And speaking of the Vikings, and Halloween -- the Vikings are the ultimate Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. You never know what you will get out of Kirk Cousins and company on a weekly basis. Would love to take the 'Boys here, but it feels like it could be one of those nights.

PICK: VIKINGS 27 - COWBOYS 25

Monday Night: Giants (2-5) @ Chiefs (3-4)

A lot of Giants fans I've heard from this week feel they can get back into the NFC playoff picture this week. Yes, Daniel Jones played well against Carolina last week, and the Chiefs defense hasn't been good, but come on? Really? Patrick Mahomes is expected back after suffering a horrifying head injury last week at Tennessee. He passed concussion protocol, and the extra day off will help.

Plus the Giants are going to be without Kenny Golladay and Saquon Barkley once again, which will hobble Big Blue's offense. Look for the Chiefs to use this as a get healthy game.

PICK: CHIEFS 34 - GIANTS 17