Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
The battle of the 3-2 New York Jets and 3-2 Green Bay Packers kicks off at Lambeau Field this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The Packers have an all-time record of 3-0 against the Jets but Gang Green looks to change that this week.
The Jets are coming fresh off a 40-17 beatdown of the Miami Dolphins while the Packers look to bounce back off a heartbreaking loss at the hands of the New York Giants in London. The Packers have plenty of struggles right now. Most notably, Aaron Rodgers who has posted the lowest QBR (44.6) rating through the first five games in his career. The offensive line has not played well and the Packers defense looks porous. This is the perfect time for the Jets to come away with another shock-the-league win.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was aggressive right from the jump against the Dolphins and it paid off with an Ahmad Gardner-forced safety. Ulbrich needs to do the same against a Packers offensive line that has yet to find their groove. Packers right guard Royce Newman has struggled, David Baktiari is still trying to get back to his full self, and Elgton Jenkins is struggling at the right tackle position
Several Jets defensive players did a stellar job of getting after the quarterback last week against the Dolphins. Defensive end Carl Lawson had the most hits on the quarterback by a Jet since 2006 with seven. Defensive end John Franklin-Myers had five and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams had five QB pressures.
Getting after arguably the most talented quarterback in the league in Aaron Rodgers is key to winning this game. However, coming off of the blown game loss to the Giants, Rodgers will most certainly be fired up. It is worth noting as well that the Packers offense has surrendered one fumble per game thus far and have turned the ball over seven times in four games.
“Hall of Fame quarterback. He’s a special talent, obviously he gets the ball where it needs to go and gets it there quick…he’s going to be a big challenge,” head coach Robert Saleh told the media.
As for the offensive side of the ball for the Jets, rookie running back Breece Hall is coming off the best game of his young career. Hall had 197 total yards from scrimmage and a touchdown against the Dolphins. He has been the dual threat that this Jets offense has been missing for so long. Expect Hall be heavily utilized yet again vs. an expendable Packers defense.
Quarterback Zach Wilson only threw the ball 35 times against the Dolphins last week. Given how poor the Packers zone defense has faired, look for offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to increase the amount of passing plays that he calls. When in zone coverage, the Packers defense has allowed a 134.3 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks on plays with at least one crossing route.
Battle of the Brothers:
Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur will be going up against his brother and head coach of the Packers, Matt LaFleur. The two will face off for the fourth time with Mike LaFleur leading the series 2-1. When asked about going up against his brother, Mike LaFleur told the media: “My mindset is solely on these players putting Zach and the rest of the offense in a position to go out and get the results that they want…I’m focused on our offense vs they’re defense.”
The Jets look to continue their two game winning streak and bring home the cheese after this Sunday.
Prediction:
This game will be extremely tough for the Jets if they can’t get pressure on Aaron Rodgers early and often. However, given the poor play of the Packers offensive line thus far and the fact that the Packers offense has gone MIA in the second half of numerous games this season, Gang Green certainly has a shot. Zach Wilson and his offense are in a groove, Breece Hall looks phenomenal, and the Packers defense is vulnerable. The other New York team beat the Packers last week, I see the Jets taking their turn with a 28-21 victory.
Things to Note:
- Rookie defensive end Jermaine Johnson has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
- The cornerback duo of DJ Reed and Ahmad Gardner who are both sporting a passer rating of 39.8 and 62.3 respectively will be going up against wide receivers Allen Lazard and Romeo Doubs (maybe Christian Watson).
