The 4-2 Jets visit 2-4 Denver in week 7 with the big story being Russell Wilson’s absence with a hamstring injury. To add on to that though is whether a QB change can actually be a spark for the Denver offense whose 15.2 ppg are the fewest in the NFL. Brett Rypien starts for the second time in his career in the Jets at Broncos betting matchup.
New York is somewhat surprisingly just a -1.5 favorite on Sunday afternoon despite going into Lambeau Field and getting a 27-10 victory last week as +7.5 underdogs. The Jets showed a strong ground attack and played great defense in holding Aaron Rodgers and company to 10 points. Still just 59% of the betting public are on NY even with this low point spread.
Jets Have a Plan
New York used a solid running game and great defense to pick up the win at Lambeau Field and that’s probably the same formula they’ll have in Denver. The Jets look like they found a good one in RB Breece Hall, who had a 34-yard TD run as part of his 118 yards on the ground after 197 total yards and a TD the week before in a 40-17 win over Miami as +3 point home underdogs.
It might be harder for Hall to get going in the Jets at Broncos betting matchup considering Denver has the 13th best pass defense in the league giving up just 105.8 ypg on the ground. What’s unfortunate for the Jets is that Denver’s pass defense is even better, giving up just 185.4 ypg which is the 5th fewest in the league.
There likely won’t be a big fantasy day coming from Jets QB Zach Wilson on the road against this top 5 Broncos defense. Wilson was just 10/18 for 110 yards with 0/0 vs. Green Bay.
Big Challenge For Rypien
It’s a great opportunity for Brett Rypien in his second start and simultaneously for coach Nathaniel Hackett to prove faith in his offensive system when the Jets visit on Sunday. If Rypien can have a solid day it will draw even more criticism for Wilson who is completing just 58% of his passes this season with 5 TDs and 3 INTs.
While it’s a nice opportunity for Rypien, this Jets defense is also tough. They held Aaron Rodgers to under 250 yards passing last week with just one TD and have a top 12 defense vs. the pass and the run. Rypien also doesn’t have much of a running game to rely on either with Javonte Williams out for the year with a torn ACL. Denver had just 98 yards rushing last week in a 19-16 loss to the Chargers.
Free Jets at Broncos Betting Pick
There are some trap tendencies with this line as it feels like the Jets should be 5-6 point favorites even on the road. The big question in this game is if the Jets are going to be able to run the football, because neither Wilson nor Rypien threaten too much through the passing game and thus the 36.5 O/U.
It would be a great storyline if Rypien can come in and put up huge offensive numbers with Wilson being so bad early in the season. It just seems like the Jets have a much bigger talent advantage here.
Free Pick: Jets -1.5
