Bold predictions for the New York Jets in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.
With their team captains named, the New York Jets look set to take the field in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills to kick off their 2020 season. Adam Gase and his team will travel to Orchard Park and attempt to begin their season with success.
This is a vital game for the Jets; a win would put them 1-0 heading into tough games against the 49ers and the Colts. Beating the Bills on the road, however, is going to be an extremely tough task. New wide receiver addition Stefon Diggs will lineup opposite against a weak group of corners, which may cause the Jets to think again about their preseason optimism.
Nonetheless, this could be a week in which the Jets thrive and shock the rest of the league. This game could set the tone for the rest of the season and give the roster confidence about the 15 games left on the schedule. Here are three bold predictions for the Jets against the Bills in Week 1.
New York Jets bold prediction No. 3: Le’Veon Bell rushes for 100+ yards
Running back Le’Veon Bell has been loving the offseason, aside from his relationship with Gase. He has heaped praise on Sam Darnold, speaking highly of their connection, while displaying his 4 percent body fat on Twitter.
This game against Buffalo is an ideal opportunity for Bell to showcase his fresh attitude and prove to those who doubted him last year that this is a return to those days in Pittsburgh. Ed Oliver will do his best to prevent Bell from racking up these numbers but, with Tre’Davious White lining up against the Jets’ receivers, Gase may be forced to turn to the run game.
A 100-yard-plus rushing game would be immense in the Jets’ plight to win this game. In fact, it could be the difference between the two sides.
New York Jets bold prediction No. 2: Defense racks up 3 sacks
Well, these are bold predictions. The Jets have one of the weakest defensive lines in the league, which makes this prediction slightly far-fetched. However, Buffalo’s offensive line also ranks in the bottom half of the league, according to PFF.
In the front seven last season, it was Jordan Jenkins who shone, bringing down quarterbacks eight times for the 2019 season, leading the Jets in sacks. The rest of the Jets defensive line did not rack up the same numbers.
Rookie Quinnen Williams managed only 2.5 sacks, just a modest amount for a rookie who was drafted No. 3 overall. He has been named by many as a possible breakout star in 2020, which could catapult the Jets’ defensive line’s ability to make plays. If that happens, he, Jenkins and Henry Anderson could help bring down Josh Allen.
New York Jets bold prediction No. 1: Sam Darnold picked off twice
This one might be all too real for Jets fans ahead of Week 1. Many still believe that Sam Darnold is filled with untapped potential. He could have a game against Buffalo in which he showcases that talent. Unfortunately, it’s more likely that he’ll start the season showing a bit of rust and youth, especially facing the likes of Tre’Davious White and Micah Hyde.
New York’s wide receiver corps remains one of the worst in the entire league and that group has already been hit with injuries, which puts even more of a burden on the quarterback. Darnold faces a ton of critics in 2020 and must prove himself but the Bills will give him a knock to his confidence early on in the season-opener.