New York Jets: Predicting every game of the 2018 season
Week 5 vs. Denver, Oct. 7
The Jets open up a three-game home stand by facing a Broncos contingent that is looking to rebound from a dismal 5-11 campaign in 2017. They did crush Gang Green, 23-0, in Week 14 last year in the Mile High City though.
New York’s offensive line must be stout and protect Darnold from six-time Pro Bowler Von Miller (83.5 career sacks) and 2018 first-round pick Bradley Chubb. The Jets counteract Denver’s pressure by establishing the ground game behind Crowell and Bilal Powell. Both tally touchdowns to lift New York to a hard-fought 16-13 triumph. Record: 3-2
Week 6 vs. Indianapolis, Oct. 14
These teams used to play each other every year when the Colts resided in Baltimore after moving to the AFC. We all know what happened in Super Bowl III as well. Indy leads the all-time series, 42-31. The Colts rolled in their last meeting in 2016, 41-10.
How effective will Andrew Luck be in this contest? He missed all of 2017 with a shoulder injury and as he goes, so go the Colts. Cornerback Trumaine Johnson does a solid job keeping T.Y. Hilton in check and New York’s D forces Luck into a pair of turnovers. Robby Anderson grabs a 65-yard scoring pass from Darnold and the Jets faithful go home happy following a 31-20 win. Record: 4-2
Week 7 vs. Minnesota, Oct. 21
Excitement starts to build with the Jets off to a 4-2 start, but the Vikings quickly bring them back to reality. This game marks the return of ex-Jet Sheldon Richardson, who will not be greeted warmly by the home crowd. Minnesota won the last time these two teams hooked up behind Teddy Bridgewater (in 2014, 30-24 in overtime).
The Vikings are loaded and have serious Super Bowl aspirations. Look for Kirk Cousins to throw touchdown strikes to Adam Thielen and tight end Kyle Rudolph while halfback Dalvin Cook finishes with 90 yards and a touchdown to lift Minnesota, 28-13. Record: 4-3
Week 8 at Chicago, Oct. 28
Another NFC North matchup is in the offing for Gang Green, this time at venerable Soldier Field. The Jets have not visited Chicago since 2010 when the Bears prevailed 38-34. The Bears are building their hopes on a young quarterback as well, second-year pro Mitch Trubisky. He struggled for the most part last season, completing just 59 percent of his passes with seven touchdowns and seven picks.
The Jets need to dial up the pressure on the University of North Carolina product, force him into mistakes. Jamal Adams gathers in his first career interception and returns it 72 yards for a touchdown to lead the green and white to a methodical 17-10 victory. Record: 5-3