New York and Jacksonville have the opportunity to validate their reconstruction with playoffs this year, for that you have to finish well.
Kick-off Thursday night to Friday at 2:15 a.m.
New York Jets (7-7) – Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8)
Recall that barely a year and a half ago, these two teams were first and second in the draft. It was in 2021 and since then a lot has evolved in these two franchises. First, Jacksonville cast Trevor Lawrence hoping to reclaim the generational talent everyone is talking about. If the quarterback does not know imposed as quickly as expected, he begins to show regularly why he had so much hype. In his wake, the Jaguars are having a great season this year. They initially showed great promise, but only posted two wins in 8 games.
Zach Wilson at the wand
And then the trigger seems to have operated, in particular thanks to the relationship between Doug Pederson and his pitcher. A great dynamic has set in with 4 successes in 6 games. Here they are now one victory away from the lead of the AFC South and therefore from the playoffs. Opposite, the path was just as tortuous. The choice of Zach Wilson in second position has not really paid off, but the good drafts for two years have allowed the Jets to build a solid workforce. They have a balanced balance sheet and are still in the race for the Wild Cards. For one or the other of these two teams, the playoffs were not expected so soon, but qualifying this season would be a real boost in their reconstruction. This Thursday match therefore becomes crucial.
During the season, Robert Saleh, the coach of New York did not hesitate to take responsibility. Exit Zach Wilson, despite his status as number 2 in the 2021 draft and place Mike White. A choice that paid off. Problem Mike White is now injured. Unavailable last week, it will be again this Thursday. Return of Wilson with the ups and downs that we know. The young pitcher has undeniable physical assets. As we saw against the Lions, he is capable of inventing games and he is very good when he is forced to leave the script of the called game. The problem is that he is much less so when he has to stay in the frame. Its readings are not always effective and its distribution leaves something to be desired. Like his interception thrown against Detroit.
force against force
For this Thursday Night Football, the Jets have no choice. They can also hope that the BYU alum continues to progress. In the meantime, they will bet on their defense as they have since the start of the year. Just look at the statistics. Big Apple players concede only 18.8 points per game (4th in the league behind the 49ers, Bills and Broncos) and 305.4 yards per game (3rd in the NFL). Symbol of this domination, Sauce Gardner. The cornerback is currently delivering a very good first season. Even to the point where the opposing attacks are wary of him as we saw last Sunday with Lions who never launched in his direction.
We will observe this Thursday the strategy that Doug Pederson and Trevor Lawrence will choose. The pitcher has been on his cloud for two games. He chained good performances and notably released one of a meeting with 4 touchdowns. Behind, it’s the whole attack that performs. The Jaguars average 367.9 yards per game, making it the 6th most prolific attack in this sector. This Thursday Night Football will therefore be the scene of the classic “force against force”. The question will be who will take over. With a success the Jaguars would put pressure on the Titans who will have no room for error. On the Jets side, a success would make it possible to return to the positive and to approach this week 16 serenely. On the other hand, beware of the loser.
