A surprisingly spunky Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) travel to New Jersey to take on the suddenly relevant New York Jets (1-2) in a match up of last season’s AFC doormats. Will they make it entertaining? Let’s be honest. Most of us won’t be tuning into this game to find out.
If you are inclined to check this one out, you’ll find it on your local CBS station at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets (+3.5)
O/U: 38.0
The History
The Jaguars and Jets have met just 12 times since 1995 with the series tied at 6-6.
New York has won the last three meetings in 2011, 2012 and 2015. Their last win was a solid QB duel between Blake Bortles and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Bortles completed 24 of 40 passes for 381 yards, two touchdowns and two picks. Fitzpatrick was 21 of 34 for 272 yards and two touchdowns. The Jets won 28-23.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-1)
Here’s a stat you need to pay attention to because this Jaguars team is for real. In their two victories, Jacksonville has given up a total of 14 points. They’ve been completely dominant on that side of the ball. Sure, they gave up 37 points to the Tennessee Titans in Week Two, but a lot of that was thanks to three Blake Bortles turnovers. At halftime that was a 6-3 game.
Speaking of Bortles, the kid was on fire last week against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens came into London with one of the best defenses in the league over the first two games and left after getting carved up for 20 of 31 for 244 yards and four touchdowns from the much maligned fourth year quarterback. Is that a stat you can bank on or one you have to toss out like Case Keenum’s Dan Marino day? It’s hard to tell. Bortles is a young guy with talent. He’s a got a new head coach and had to work to keep this job in the off-season. It could be that it’s started to click.
With the defense the Jags have put on the field, Bortles needs to understand he doesn’t have to do everything. He can take the safe throws when the situations call for it and let his defense back him up. Nothing has to be forced. Not every week will be like last Sunday in London, but we could see a significantly improved Bortles this year.
Here’s what’s particularly interesting. Jacksonville is 2-1 right now, face the Jets this week and have the Colts twice, the Bengals, Browns, Chargers, Cardinals, 49ers and Texans again on their schedule. Is that a possible 10 win season? Hmmm.
NEW YORK JETS (1-2)
The Jets didn’t have to leave the country to blast a divisional opponent. They knocked off the Miami Dolphins 20-6 last week and it wasn’t that close. Josh McCown was efficient with the ball, completing 18 of 23 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown. The defense forced two turnovers and sacked Jay Cutler three times.
I still can’t believe they won. I’m not sure the Jets can.
In fact, it was funny to hear Phil Simms complain about the New York press on Inside the NFL this week. Evidently there was a resounding “now you’ve messed up” feel to the coverage, accusing the Jets of screwing up their own tanking plan and ruining their chances at the No. 1 pick. It’s a long season, fellas. Calm down.
The tank job is still in effect. Week Three was just nutballs and the Jets result is one of those games to toss out. All it really showed us is how hard it is to go 0-16 in the modern NFL. We should have a new appreciation for the historic accomplishment of the 2008 Detroit Lions. It’s almost as difficult as going undefeated.
The Pick
Up is still up and while, in my house, cats and dogs live together peacefully, I don’t think we’ve opened any portals to a new universe. The Jets are still terrible and that will show up again this week against a formidable Jacksonville defense. All Bortles has to do is protect the ball and this one shouldn’t be close. Jaguars 27, Jets 10
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 7-9
Against the spread: 6-10
Season
Straight up: 28-19
Against the spread: 22-25
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