The New York Jets (5-7) are currently 1-4 straight up and 1-3-1 when playing on the road this season. The Denver Broncos (3-9) are currently 3-3 straight up and 2-3-1 when playing in the comforts of Sports Authority Field at Mile High here in the 2017 season, thus far. Which team will make their losing record a bit more respectable (loose term) here in Week 14?
The New York Jets were supposed to be the New York Giants this season, but head coach Todd Bowles has done all he can to keep the Jets respectable. New York is currently two games under .500 and out of the AFC wildcard. With three games left to play this regular season, its hard to see the Jets making any type of logical playoff push.
New York may have pulled off the biggest upset of their season last week. The Jets went to Arrowhead and won a hard fought 38-31 battle against the Chiefs. Jets quarterback Josh McCown, was solid in the win. He was 26 of 36 for 331 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Jermaine Kearse was huge for New York. He had 10 catches for 157 yards in the win.
This week, look for McCown and Kearse to hook up against the former “no fly zone” defense. Defensively, the Jets have played decent this year. New York is allowing 24 points and 349 yards per game this season. Not terrible, but not good either. Last week, the defense gave up 474 yards against the Chiefs.
The Jets defense should have a solid day this week against the Broncos. Denver has no star quality at starting quarterback, and the Jets are allowing 24 points per game this season. If the defense can get after the Broncos quarterback, the Jets will have a good chance of winning. Denver’s running game is averaging 107 yards on the ground per game this season.
The Denver Broncos are arguably the worst team in the AFC West right now. During the first four weeks of the season, the Broncos were ranked at or near the top of the NFL power rankings. Now, the team is one of the worst in the NFL. Denver is 3-9 overall and 3-3 at Mile High Stadium this year. Sitting six games under .500, and clearly out of postseason contention, the Broncos are tanking.
This week, expect the Broncos to try and establish a better run game than last week’s 23 rushes of 103 yards and zero touchdowns. Denver quarterback Trevor Siemian was especially bad. He was 19 of 41 for 200 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions. The Broncos were blown out, 35-9 at Miami.
Defensively, I have a feeling the team checked out in week five. Denver has not looked like one of the best defenses of all time. Just two years ago, the Broncos won a super bowl led by their defense. This season, the unit is allowing teams like a bad Dolphins team to demoralize them on the road. Miami had 367 yards of offense in the 26 point loss.
Writer’s Prediction
The Jets and Broncos both are headed to vacation in the next three weeks. Now all either team has left to play for is pride. New York is not an explosive team, but could look like one this week against a Denver defense that has fell asleep the last six or seven games. Denver will struggle at home this week. With no solid starting quarterback, take the Jets to cover on the road. Pick: New York Jets (-1)
