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New York Jets: Falcons game will be a stern test in Week 8

By Stephen Smith

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 22: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons throws the ball during the second quarter of a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 22: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons throws the ball during the second quarter of a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The New York Jets will face a stern test in Week 8 when they host the defending NFC champion Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium.

You know the old saying, “Never wake a sleeping giant”. Well, that’s exactly what the New York Jets hope they will not be doing this Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.

The defending NFC champion Atlanta Falcons (3-3) come in dragging their heels with a three-game losing streak. After leading the NFL in scoring in 2016 (averaging 33.8 PPG), the Falcons rank a modest 16th in the league this year (21.3 PPG). Despite being healthy for the most part, this year’s version does not look anything like the one that should have won the Super Bowl in February. Not yet anyway. That should scare Gang Green.

The Jets (3-4) are coming off a brutal 31-28 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week Seven. They’ll have their hands full with these pesky birds. Atlanta is simply too talented to hold down forever. The Falcons are long overdue to break out in a big way.

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Dan Quinn’s squad has a wealth of talented offensive players, led by All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones (34-466, 1 touchdowns). The four-time Pro Bowler is coming off his best game of the season when he had nine receptions for 99 yards and his first touchdown of the campaign against New England last Sunday. Jets cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Darryl Roberts will have their hands full covering the speedy and powerful Jones. Safties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye will have to provide support over the top.

Devonta Freeman (425 rushing yards, 99 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns), Tevin Coleman, Taylor Gabriel, Austin Hooper and former Rutgers standout Mohamed Sanu are just some of the weapons that quarterback Matt Ryan (135-203, 1,590 yards, 7 touchdowns, 6 INTs) has to throw to. Ryan has been very disappointing so far this season. He is due to break out. New York needs to dial up the pressure and collapse the pocket on him.

In order for the Jets to win, they have to win the turnover and time of possession battle. They need to keep Atlanta’s offense off the field as much as possible. On the offensive side of the ball, New York signal-caller Josh McCown (153-of-221, 1,583 yards, 10 TD, 7 INTs) needs to shake off that terrible interception he threw late in the fourth quarter against Miami last week. The 38-year-old QB has played very well for the most part this season. The Falcons have allowed 22 points per game so Bilal Powell and Matt Forte will need to establish a strong rushing attack to set up play-action for McCown.

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Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins needs to play a big role once again for Gang Green to beat the birds. The 6-6, 262-pounder has scored in three straight games and has become McCown’s favorite target. He is becoming the team’s premier threat in the red zone and he should be able to take advantage of Atlanta’s mediocre linebackers and secondary.

This is a huge game for the Jets. A victory gets them back to .500. A loss will send them spiraling down to 3-5 and will severely damage any playoff aspirations they may have.

They have to make sure the slumbering giant stays asleep on Sunday.

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