Geno Smith’s broken jaw really threw a wrench in the New York Jets’ plans for this season. Luckily, it’s still the preseason so they’ll get a chance to evaluate their backup quarterbacks for a suitable replacement. The Detroit Lions are having none of that drama with their quarterbacks. Instead, they may take a look at the defensive line to see who can take over the departed Ndamukong Suh’s spot at defensive tackle.
Line: New York Jets (+3.5) at Detroit Lions (-3.5); total 36.0 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the New York Jets
The New York Jets were hoping that Geno Smith would be their franchise quarterback after drafting him in the second round of the 2013 draft. Two down seasons later, the Jets are still looking for a breakout performance from the former West Virginia quarterback. They may not get one this year after Smith broke his jaw in a fight with now ex-teammate IK Enemkpali.
Smith will be out for six to 10 weeks while his jaw heals. That means the Jets will have to see whether rookie quarterback Bryce Petty can outplay Ryan Fitzpatrick for the starting job. Petty was amazing starting in his final two years at Baylor, passing for 8,055 yards and 61 touchdowns. But he’s hardly pro-ready, which could have him struggling for completions.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Fitzpatrick is a proven vet. Albeit not in the same level of Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady, but he gets his job done. Fitzpatrick set a career-high 56.7 quarterback rating as a starter last season in Houston. He also set a career-high 63.1 percent completion rate by passing to deep threats DeAndre Hopkins and Andre Johnson. Now he’ll have a downfield threat in the Jets receiving corps in Eric Decker, who led the team with 962 yards receiving and five touchdowns last season.
The Jets should also get a good look at running back Zac Stacy. Having no real competition at running back, expect Stacy to tear up Detroit’s second-string defense to seal the starting gig.
New York should also keep a tab on first-round draft pick Leonard Williams in this game. If he can produce, then he may be able to take Sheldon Richardson’s spot in the starting lineup. Leonard had seven sacks last season with three forced fumbles and an interception playing for the USC Trojans.
The Jets have won five of their last seven preseason games.
Betting on the Detroit Lions
There’s no real competition for the quarterback position in Detroit. There is, however, a competition for spots in the offensive line. Laken Tomlinson, Manny Ramirez and Travis Swanson compete for starting jobs at guard and/or center. Tomlinson may have the edge here as the Lions’ 2015 first-round draft pick.
Second-round pick running back Ameer Abdullah should get his fair share of time on the field with the offensive line competition going on. Abdullah should give the Lions a legitimate running threat after rushing for back-to-back 1,600-yard rushing seasons while totaling 119 touchdowns in his last two seasons playing for Nebraska. Detroit ranked 28th in the league in rushing offense last season, with Joique Bell leading the team with just 860 yards.
The Lions could also get a look at two of their young, promising defenders in linebacker Kyle Van Noy and cornerback Quandre Diggs.
Van Noy was an excellent linebacker in college tallying 17.0 sacks in his last two years for the BYU Cougars and was a second-round pick last year, but injuries kept him off the field as a pro. Now healthy, expect him to take some extended playing time with Detroit’s reserves. Diggs, meanwhile, was an excellent depth cornerback with the Texas Longhorns. He should be able to make an interception on Thursday, especially against the Jets’ rookie quarterback Petty.
The Lions have won their last four preseason home games, including a 26-17 win over the Jets in 2013.
Writer’s Prediction
The Lions’ depth will be too much for the Jets. Detroit wins its first preseason game, covering -3.5. Create a betting account now and test yourself with some alluring NFL preseason games.
