It may be a little early in the season to call a game do or die but I will say that this week’s game vs Jacksonville is a potential turning point in the Jets season. Coming off the first losing streak of the Todd Bowles era, I have a strong feeling that this week will set the tone for the rest of the Jets season. Winning this game would put the Jets at the 5-3 mark at the halfway point of the season and keep them in the middle of a potential wild card race. A loss would put them at an all too familiar .500 record at 4-4. With Buffalo and Rex Ryan coming in on Thursday. A loss this week would certainly make the Buffalo game a pressure filled MUST win.
The Jets have played the majority of the season banged up, this week is no different. Arguably, the most significant would be the non throwing hand of Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick will start the game tomorrow, the Jets are hoping he will be the QB to finish the game. A hand injury for a QB can be major, even if it isn’t his throwing hand, a QB still needs his non dominant hand for handoffs and most importantly taking the snap from center. Blake Bortles and their 2nd year QB Blake Bortles have a very underrated offense. If the Jags can keep the turnovers to a minimum and keep Bortles off of his back, their offense has the ability to move the ball on the Jets.
Offensively, the Jets are hoping that Chris Ivory can get back on track. His last 2 games have been his worst of the season and the fact that they have also been the Jets worst 2 games of the season is not a coincidence. As Ivory goes, the Jets go. Ivory will have to be on top of his game, especially with Fitzpatrick, Marshall, Decker and Mangold being somewhat limited this week in practice due to injuries.
Defensively, the Jets played awful last week. They will not have an easy time with the Jaguars offense this week if they can’t generate a pass rush. Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Julius Thomas give the Jags some nice weapons in the pass game. TJ Yeldon is a formidable young RB and Blake Bortles has shown some signs of being a good captain of this ship.
Predictions for the game: The Jets are currently a 7.5 point favorite. I see them winning this game but not covering the spread. I see Jets 23 Jags -16. Fitzpatrick will throw for over 200 yards with a TD. Ivory will have 100 yards and a TD.
BOLD PREDICTION: If the Jets don’t force 2 turnovers and sack Bortles at least twice, the Jets will lose this game. Stevan Ridley will make his Jets debut. Jeremy Kerley will call a fair catch on every punt he receives.