Pregame Primer: It’s time for some revenge for Breece and the Jets
Pregame Primer: It’s time for some revenge for Breece and the Jets
Everything you need to know ahead of today’s game between the Jets and Broncos.
What’s Up with the Jets? 🛩️
The Jets face-off against the Broncos this afternoon in Denver at 4:25 PM
New York is the underdog for their 5th straight game to start the season
RB Breece Hall will no longer be on a “pitch count” according to head coach Robert Saleh
In his first four games of the year, Hall has averaged eight carries per game
Hall plays in his first game in Denver since tearing his ACL on October 23rd last season
OC Nathaniel Hackett returns to Mile High for the first time since being fired by the Broncos last season, and after Sean Payton’s comments this offseason
CB D.J. Reed will surprisingly miss today’s game due to a concussion, with Bryce Hall expected to take his place
S Tony Adams will return to the lineup after missing the last two-plus games with a hamstring injury
WR Mecole Hardman could be a healthy inactive this afternoon, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini
New York elevated DB Craig James and WR Irv Charles for today’s game
The Jets have played the toughest schedule in the NFL over the first month, but only have the 14th toughest remaining schedule
Injury Report 🏥
❌ OUT
CB D.J. Reed (concussion)
CB Brandon Echols (hamstring)
❔ QUESTIONABLE
OL Billy Turner
LB Sam Eguavoen
DB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
OL Carter Warren
Today’s Game 🗓
Match-up: Jets (1-3) at Broncos (1-3)
Where: Empower Field at Mile High – Denver, CO
When: 4:25 PM EDT
Where to Watch: CBS
The Odds 🎲
ESPN Analytics: Jets 54.6% chance to win
Line: Jets +2.5
Over/Under: 43.5 points
Postseason Odds: +850
⬇️ from +650 last week
Super Bowl Odds: +13000
↔️ unchanged from last week
Our Prediction 🔮
I know the Jets are 1-3 and on the road, but I’m honestly surprised they’re not favored in this one.
We all understand where this team is at — they’ve lost three straight and nine of their last 10 dating back to last season. And despite his stunning performance in a game everyone expected to be his last, Zach Wilson has to prove that he can 1) Do it again, and 2) Do it in a winning effort.
That being said: the Broncos stink, man. They’re one of the worst teams the Jets are going to face all year and unlike the equally terrible Patriots, they do not hold the same juju over the Jets’ heads. At 1-3 with their once bright season dangling in the balance, this team already has enough reason to come out of the gates strong today, but they certainly do have some extra chips on their shoulders, too.
Ever since this summer, this has been built up for the ultimate revenge game after Broncos head coach Sean Payton opened his mouth and came after Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. The entire team took exception to it, most notably Robert Saleh and Aaron Rodgers who told Payton to “keep my coach’s name out of your mouth.” It’s safe to say that no one on the Jets has forgotten about that one, and they’re likely looking to shut Payton up once and for all.
What hasn’t been as greatly discussed, though, is that this is also a bit of a revenge game for Breece Hall, too. It was nearly one year ago today that Hall tore his ACL in this exact stadium, which prematurely ended an incredibly promising rookie season. Now, 350 days later, Hall will play for the first time without a post-injury pitch count and it just so happens to come in his return to Denver.
And while Russell Wilson has gotten off to a better start this year after a miserable 2022-23 campaign, he has gone up against four of the worst defenses in the NFL and has been the loser in three-of-four games so far this season. It’s also worth noting that the Broncos are dead last in almost every defensive category, which could come as a massive shot in the arm for a Jets offense that has struggled but did show unexpected signs of life last week against a Chiefs top-five defense.
The Jets are fighting for their lives here — and for a lot of pride, too — and seem to match-up really well against this Denver team on paper. Despite being underdogs once again, this really is a game they should win. If not, this season will likely be too far gone.
Jets 27, Broncos 17.