New York Jets
The New York Jets fell to 1-2 after a 31-24 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, but I actually think the Jets are a pretty good football team. It feels weird to say that, but I'm gonna go with it.
Sure, the record doesn't look great. But both Jets losses came by one possession, and the underlying numbers suggest this team is better than its 1-2 record indicates.
It starts with Geno Smith, who has been legitimately awesome through the first three games of the season. Smith is completing 75 percent of his passes while averaging 7.7 yards per attempt with a 110 passer rating, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. His early-season performance has been one of the more underrated storylines in the NFL.
He was especially impressive Sunday in Detroit, throwing for 321 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 8.7 yards per attempt.
This Jets offense ranks 10th in EPA per play to start the season, and new offensive coordinator Frank Reich has made it a point to get star receiver Garrett Wilson involved in the passing game. Wilson currently ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in targets, receptions and receiving yards.
And this Aaron Glenn-led defense has also been very solid. The Jets rank 12th in points allowed, 13th in EPA per play, and most impressively, second in the NFL in yards allowed. That's a massive improvement from last season, when this unit ranked 30th in EPA per play and 31st in points allowed.
The early numbers paint a much more encouraging picture than a 1-2 record would suggest. So encouraging that I’m expecting the Jets to compete for a playoff spot by the end of the season, which would snap their 15-season drought. Wow... and I thought being a Bears fan was depressing.
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