It has not been an easy start to Todd Bowles head coaching career with the New York Jets. (Getty)
The New York Jets need something good to happen.
After a preseason that’s included everything from broken jaws to headlines to suspensions, the Jets added to their collective list of woes with a 23-3 loss last week in their preseason opener. In other words, this team needs something, anything, good to happen. They’ll get that chance on Friday night, taking on the Atlanta Falcons, and their high-flying offense, in the second game of the preseason schedule.
Keep an eye on Matt Ryan again this week. The Falcons quarterback completed all six of his pass attempts while long-time wideout target Julio Jones hauled in four of them. The pair probably won’t be on the field for too long but it’ll be interesting to see if they can find the same rhythm in back-to-back games.
The Basics
Who:
Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Jets
When:
Friday, August 21, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel:
The game will be broadcast locally in New York on CBS 2 and in Atlanta on CW 69. Click here for a full TV schedule.
Where:
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Line:
Jets -1 via Oddsshark
Last Meeting:
Jets 30, Falcons 28 on October 7, 2013 in Atlanta.
Scouting the Falcons
Julio Jones helped lead a pitch-perfect opening drive for the Atlanta Falcons in their first preseason game of the year. (Getty)
The Falcons first team offense looked good last week. As in almost-perfect good. Matt Ryan was 6-for-6 on Atlanta’s opening drive, leading the team down the field and straight into the end zone. Julio Jones caught four of those six Ryan passes for 61 yards and broke a few ankles on his first quarter touchdown catch and run. It all looked very good.
This week, the Falcons got a few more offensive weapons back in the lineup as both Devonta Freeman and Tevine Coleman returned to practice on Monday afternoon after being sidelined with hamstring injuries. Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn said he expects the two running backs to fully-practice ready soon:
I think they are getting close. They participated in the walk-through last night and they participated in the individual session today. So, let’s see how they respond. We are certainly hoping to have them back for it, but we are only going to put them out if they are ready to rock.
The Falcons rushing attack was perhaps one of the sore spots of an otherwise solid preseason opener, racking up 30 attempts and just 69 total yards. In other words, this team wants Freeman and Coleman back on the field as soon as possible.
Scouting the Jets
Bryce Petty took the majority of snaps under center as the New York Jets backup quarterback in last week’s preseason opener. (Getty)
That wasn’t a very good start. After a preseason camp that has been tinged with controversy and tabloid backpages, the New York Jets dropped their preseason opener to the Detroit Lions 23-3 last week. By the final whistle the Jets had recorded just six first downs and a meager 123 total yards. The Lions, on the other hand, had 26 firstdowns and 428 total yards, including 235 in the air.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, who started in place of the injured Geno Smith, has looked so-so in practice throughout camp and his job isn’t being made any easier with a competition brewing for the slot receiver position.
Something has to change, and quick, but figuring out what that thing is might be more difficult than the Jets hope.
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Falcons vs. Jets: Time, Channel & Line