When the Jets head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens on Sunday, it seems the oddsmakers don’t see Gang Green as a team trying to pull out a win, but one looking to avoid humiliation. With the Ravens heating up after a slow start and the Jets remaining an NFL cellar dweller, they’ve got the Ravens listed as a two touchdown favorite at minus-14. How do the Jets avoid embarrassment and , dare we say, try to steal a win? Let’s take a look at the key matchups.
WR AD Mitchell vs CB Nate Wiggins:
Mitchell did a great job of getting open in his debut against the Patriots, but his three drops marred what could have been a huge day. Wiggins leads the Ravens with three interceptions (see here for explanation on what an interceptions is, Jets fans) and should see a fair bit of Mitchell today. With Tyrod Taylor under center, the Jets should look to take plenty of shots down the field to Mitchell as they look to evaluate the potential WR2 moving forward.
Steve Wilks vs Lamar Jackson:
Not a player versus a player, but a coach tasked with slowing down a multiple-time league MVP. Wilks has been under fire for his unit’s poor performance this season and Lamar Jackson isn’t the guy you want to be facing in that situation. Jackson hasn’t been 100% for much of the season, but he’s still a threat to go out and light up the scoreboard. If Wilks asks his defense blitz and play man, it’s a recipe for Jackson to kill you with his legs. If you sit back and play zone, your personnel in the secodary won’t be good enough to slow down the Ravens offense. Pick your poison, Steve Wilks.
LB Quincy Williams vs RB Derrick Henry:
Henry hasn’t been quite as dominant this season as he has in year’s past. After managing at least 4.5 yards per carry in all but three starts last year, he’s been held below that number four times already this season. On the year, his average is down a full yard from 5.9 yards per carry last season to 4.9 this year. Still a gaudy number, but a notable drop. If the DT’s up front can free up the Jets linebackers, Williams is the closes thing this group has to an enforcer who has a shot to slow Henry one-on-one.
DT’s Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips vs C Tyler Linderbaum:
Linderbaum is one of the league’s better centers and is a key to getting the Ravens run game going. If Briggs and Phillips allow Linderbaum to consistently win up front, it’s going to be a long day on defense for Gang Green. Briggs has been one of Darren Mougey’s best transactions and he’ll get one of his biggest tests on Sunday.
LB Jamien Sherwood vs TE’s Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely:
One of the better tight end tandems in the NFL, Andrews and Likely get ready to face a linebacker who has struggled in coverage more than he did at any point last season. We’ve seen pass catchers of all variety’s have plenty of success against Sherwood this year and if he’s not careful, one (or both) of these guys will be in for a big day.
Prediction: Ravens 31 Jets 13
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