Forecasting the Jets' prospects over their next five games
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday in Tampa, Fla. Credit: Getty Images/Julio Aguilar
The Jets are in Miami on Monday night for what should be a get-right game — for either team.
Both are winless heading into Week 4. Both are among the worst defensive teams. One of them should capitalize, unless it ends in a tie.
The Jets, coming off a heartbreaking last-second loss in Tampa, begin a stretch of games that should lead to Aaron Glenn’s first win as a head coach and more. Their five games before their bye are either against losing teams or teams that lost their best player to injury.
Key for the Jets will be learning how to win tight games and closing teams out.
“We have to be one of those teams that understand how to squeak those games out,” Glenn said. “We're doing everything we can to work on that.”
Here’s a breakdown:
Monday night vs. Miami
It’s unclear at this point whether Justin Fields (concussion protocol) or Tyrod Taylor will start at quarterback against the offense-friendly Dolphins.
Miami allows the most points in the NFL (32.3) and the fifth-most rushing yards (145 per game). The Jets could re-establish their ground game and Breece Hall on Monday night.
Hall has been missing the last two games after rushing for 107 yards in Week 1 against Pittsburgh. Since then, Hall has 50 yards on 19 carries. Twenty-nine came on two runs. Hall has totaled just 21 yards on the other 17 rushes.
The Jets’ run game has declined since amassing 182 yards in Week 1. They followed that with 100 and 99 yards, respectively. Falling behind big early contributed, but the Jets have been emphatic that they will be a run-heavy offense.
The line hasn’t created holes or protected the quarterback well either. Fields and Taylor have been sacked eight times and hit 17 over the last two games.
The banged-up Jets’ defense needsr big improvements in their pass coverage against Miami playmakers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The Jets have given up 13 pass plays of at least 20 yards and five of 30 or more.
Neither defense has forced a turnover. Takeaway differential could decide this game.
Prediction: Glenn and the Jets get their first win.
Week 5 vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys visit MetLife Stadium, which means plenty of Dallas fans will be in the building. If the Jets don’t beat Miami, the Cowboys crowd could outnumber the home team’s fans.
Dallas will be without receiver CeeDee Lamb because of a high ankle sprain. The Jets will have to limit receiver George Pickens, tight end Jason Ferguson and running back Javonte Williams, who is off to a good start.
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys can still put up points. They also give up a lot of them. They’ve allowed at least 31 points twice, are last in passing defense and 30th in total defense. Trading game-wrecker Micah Parsons greatly weakened Dallas, as expected.
Prediction: Jets lose a close one
Week 6 vs. Denver Broncos
Glenn will square off against one of his coaching mentors Sean Payton in London. The irony is Payton’s team, which was a surprise playoff participant last year, has been dealing with some of the same issues as Glenn’s.
Denver’s two losses have come on late-game or last-second field goals. The Jets have two of those as well. The Broncos’ defense couldn’t get a key stop or stops or committed a costly penalty that changed the outcome. Sound familiar?
Prediction: Payton’s team makes fewer mistakes and Glenn’s team drops another close game.
Week 7 vs. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers shut out Atlanta last week, but Carolina is a young team with holes that the Jets should be able to exploit. The Panthers have given up the eighth-most rushing yards (137.3), have the second-most turnovers (six) and a league-low one sack.
Prediction: Jets capture their first home win
Week 8 at Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals were a playoff contender coming into the season with a healthy Joe Burrow. Toe surgery knocked him out. Now Jake Browning is running an offense that has turned the ball over eight times in the last 6-plus quarters. The Bengals defense is in the bottom third or worse in most categories.
Prediction: Jets go into their bye with a victory.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
