The Denver Broncos upset Aaron Rodgers’ Jets 10-9 in Week 4. This week, Rodgers appears to be like to do higher as two of the NFL’s oldest gamers hope to steer their groups to upset victories in Week 5. Odds via ESPN Bet.
New York Jets at Minnesota Vikings (-2.5)
Does any participant benefit from the highlight greater than Aaron Rodgers? New York’s quarterback may have NFL audiences to himself on a world stage when the Jets journey to London for an early morning recreation in opposition to Minnesota on Sunday.
That, coupled with an embarrassing 10-9 house loss to the Denver Broncos, might be all of the motivation Rodgers wants to beat former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold and the undefeated Vikings. Whereas quarterback play will definitely be an element, Sunday’s recreation appears to be like to be a low-scoring, defensive battle for each groups.
Minnesota could have the league’s fifth-leading receiver in Justin Jefferson however the Jets have two of the perfect cornerbacks within the NFL. Sauce Gardner is already a two-time All-Professional and Pro Football Focus charges D.J. Reed because the NFL’s second-best cornerback.
The Vikings at the moment personal the league’s second-best run protection — permitting 75 yards per recreation on the bottom — however the Jets have a wonderful one-two punch with Breece Corridor and rookie working again Braelon Allen, the league’s third-best ball-carrier in line with PFF.
Extra importantly, New York has allowed the third-fewest yards (256.5) and fifth-fewest factors (15.5) per recreation this 12 months. Minnesota has allowed the fourth-fewest factors per recreation (14.8) however the Tenth-most yards (349.3) per contest.
If Rodgers and the Jets capitalize on their red-zone alternatives, they may simply flip these yards into touchdowns and hand Minnesota its first lack of the season.
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3)
The Jaguars are nonetheless in search of their first win of the season however may not get it at house in opposition to the Colts this week, particularly in the event that they face the workforce’s 39-year-old backup quarterback.
This previous Sunday, Joe Flacco performed in aid of Anthony Richardson, who suffered an indirect harm 14 snaps into the Colt’s three-point victory over the Steelers. Flacco went 16-of-26 for 168 yards and two touchdowns in opposition to beforehand unbeaten Pittsburgh and will begin Sunday’s recreation if Richardson can’t play.
Richardson was restricted in Wednesday’s apply however with the second-lowest quarterback ranking within the league (60.2), the NFL’s Twenty sixth-leading passer could be of extra service holding a clipboard in opposition to Jacksonville.
The Jaguars have issues of their very own. Since signing a five-year, $275M deal to stay in Jacksonville, quarterback Trevor Lawrence is finishing simply 53.3% of his passes, the third-worst mark within the NFL.
Fortuitously, Jacksonville working backs are averaging 5.7 yards per carry, second solely Baltimore’s 6.4 yards energy try. Sadly, Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne had been each restricted with shoulder accidents in Wednesday’s apply. Each ought to play Sunday however neither has scored a landing in 2024.
If the Colts can get an early lead and power Jacksonville to throw the ball, the Jags working recreation received’t matter. Each of Flacco’s touchdowns got here within the first quarter of the Steelers recreation. If he performs on Sunday, the Colts have a superb opportunity to win the sport and maintain tempo with the Texans within the AFC South.
