The Bengals and Jets will do battle tomorrow. We learned more about New York with The Jet Press site expert Paul A. Esden Jr. (@boygreen25).
The Bengals and Jets have both not had the seasons they had hoped for. At 4-7, New York’s playoff chances barely have a pulse. The Bengals are just playing to avoid the dubious distinction of 0-16.
With that backdrop, here is what Paul Esden Jr. of FanSided’s Jets site, The Jet Press had to say about tomorrow’s matchup.
SH: Is it an oversimplification to say Sam Darnold’s missed time due to illness is the only thing that will likely keep the Jets out of the playoffs?
TJP: Yes, their problems go far beyond that. But with the team 4-7 and on a three-game winning streak, it is fair to wonder what this team would’ve looked like without that mysterious disease befalling Darnold.
The offensive line has been terrible, the secondary was awful at the beginning of the year, and the coaching/game planning was trash early on. For all of those reasons, the Jets are on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. They truly have no one to blame but themselves. Also, the injury bug has bit this team hard. That is just the nature of the game, but these injuries have been ridiculous this season for the Jets.
SH: Any reason beyond Darnold for Gang Green’s recent hot streak?
TJP: Darnold is getting a lot of credit and deservedly so, but several areas of the team that were weaknesses have become strengths. The Jets only have one starter remaining from the offensive line that was rolled out in Week 1.
Despite that seeming like a bad idea, it has actually made the offensive line play better. The secondary which has been much maligned at corner, has played better with unknown names like Bless Austin and Arthur Maulet. The guy who really deserves the credit is defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. He has done a lot with a little.
SH: How has head coach Adam Gase done in his first year with NYJ?
TJP: That depends who you ask. Jets fans weren’t too keen on the hire in the first place and that hadn’t changed too much early in the season. This team was 1-7 just a few weeks ago and seemed on the brink of collapsing. Gase was a bad play caller early on, but he has gotten a lot better with more pieces.
Right now this team is on the verge of contending for the playoffs. it is a very small chance. However, with the opponents lined up on the schedule, they can make a run. We will see if that’s enough. His job is safe, owner Christopher Johnson came out mid-season and announced no matter what happens, Gase will be back in 2020. The team is undefeated since that vote of confidence was made.
SH: Give us one under the radar name for the Jets that will have an impact Sunday.
TJP: I could give you a million names because a lot of the big names are hurt. I’ll give you a few to watch out for: outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins is not a guy you think of when you say dynamic pass rushers, but he is having a career year.
Brian Poole had his first pick-six as a member of the Jets last week and has been one of the best slot corners in all of football. Also, there is tight end Ryan Griffin. He’s been around the league, but has had a career year and received a fat contract extension last week.
SH: Who wins and why?
TJP: The Jets are one of the hottest teams in football and I expect that to continue on Sunday. There is a great fear among Jets fans of the red rider bb gun (aka Andy Dalton.) In the two previous matchups between Dalton and the Jets, the Gang Green secondary was toasted. Jets fans would have much rather faced turnover-prone quarterback Ryan Finley, but it is what it is. Give me the Jets 37-20.