The Broncos take on their third straight winless opponent, while the Jets’ rookie quarterback faces the best defense he’s seen in his young NFL career.
New York Jets
As the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and in the media spotlight in New York, the light is shining bright on rookie quarterback Zach Wilson. And that light is hot and uncomfortable, and two games into the season, he is beginning to wilt.
In Week 1, the Jets lost to their former quarterback, Sam Darnold. In Week 2, they faced the rookie QB killer, Bill Belichick, and were mastered. In the first of many Zach Wilson vs. Mac Jones battles, Wilson threw four interceptions and made a series of bad decisions, bad reads, and bad throws.
It’s far too early to declare Wilson anything other than a young quarterback who has a lot of work to do to catch up to the speed and complexity of the NFL. Physically the talent is there, without question. But considering that the Broncos just beat up on the quarterback taken ahead of Wilson, Trevor Lawrence, Wilson is likely in for another long and forgettable game.
Denver Broncos
Denver has won two games with new quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, and they’ve covered the point spread in both. Denver didn’t face the toughest of opponents – the Giants and Jaguars – but things don’t get any more challenging this week against the Jets.
Teddy B, as his teammates call him, has been everything head coach Vic Fangio wanted when he named him the starting quarterback. After throwing for 265 yards of turnover-free football in Week 1, he threw for 328 yards of turnover-free football in Week 2. That 328 yards is the third-highest total of his career.
Even without the big-play potential that Drew Lock brought to the offense, the Bridgewater-led Broncos have been able to drive the length of the field this season. In two games, they have four touchdown drives of 75 yards or more.
No one connects to its quarterbacks more than the Broncos. Both John Elway and Peyton Manning have been reportedly linked to ownership groups interested in buying the Broncos, and the worth of the franchise is definitely looking up after the fast start to the 2021 season.
Betting Picks
Broncos (-11)
The Broncos keep covering the spread, and there’s no reason to think that in their first home game of the season, they won’t keep that streak alive. A packed house of screaming fans and a rookie quarterback coming off a four-interception performance is a recipe for a blowout.
Add in that the Jets have failed to cover the spread in either game and taking the Broncos to cover seems like an easy bet. This game is at least a two-touchdown victory for the Broncos. Lay the points.
Under 41.5
This doesn’t feel like a big number, but the Jets are only averaging 10 points a game, and they aren’t going over that number here. A 27-10 Denver win means you should take the under.