Post by Danchat on Oct 19, 2018 20:28:10 GMT -6
The Vikings have rebounded from two straight losses and have pulled off two wins, but it's time to see if they can pick up a third. The slightly-overachieving Jets will host the Vikings, and Minnesota will hope to win just their first game ever in an away game at the Jets.
Injury Report
* My thoughts *
It seems to me this season that the Jets offense is either A) running full steam or B) struggling big time this season. Sam Darnold has been turnover-prone and would be ranked in the "Poor" PFF category if given one at this point in his career. I do think that Darnold has top 10 potential, but he's just 21 and started two full years at USC. The Vikings need to pressure him into making mistakes. The key to the Jets offense has been the running game - Isaiah Crowell has had a few big games, but is just an average HB. He's banged up and Bilal Powell will get plenty of work, too. Both should be contained by the Vikings run defense.
The Jets' O-line is average at best. Kelvin Beachum is back to being a decent LT and Brandon Shell turned into a solid RT, but the interior is weak. Maybe Sheldon Richardson could have a big game against his former team? Meanwhile, the receivers are thoroughly lacking. With Enunwa and Kearse likely out, deep threat Robby Anderson (who was better with McCown) and the 2017 mega-disappointment Terrelle Pryor will be out there on almost every down. Including a group of mediocre TEs who have very little experience and aren't special prospects, the Vikings should be able to cover these guys.
Todd Bowles has a pretty good defense at his disposal, and the chart doesn't quite do the unit justice as LB Darron Lee and S Marcus Maye had poor 2017 seasons but are playing much better football now. The Jets have some stout run defenders with Williams and McLendon, and Avery Williamson is one of the most underrated players in the league. My problem with the Jets is that their best edge defender (pass-rushing OLB) is... Jordan Jenkins? Brandon Copeland, a journeyman, is your other starting pass rusher? Some UDFA named Frankie Luvu is your third pass rusher? I would guess that the Jets likely offered the Raiders a package for Khalil Mack (they have the need and cap space) but the Bears outbid them.
Finally, the Jets have a problem at the CB position. Trumaine Johnson and Buster Skrine should both miss the game, leaving one decent player in Mo Claiborne, probably tasked with Diggs, Darryl Roberts on Treadwell, and rookie Parry Nickerson on for slot duties against Adam Thielen (good luck!). Maye and Adams are a good safety combo that shouldn't be beaten in coverage very often (scratch that, Doug Middleton will be playing at FS. Cousins should try to challenge him deep).
Prediction: Vikings 26, Jets 24
I'll admit, with so many injuries and a Jets team I'm not too familiar with, I don't have a great read on this game. On one hand, the Vikings have the better team, but they aren't quite as good on the road. With the Bills and Rams games behind them, I think the defense can beat Darnold and the other weapons this team has.
Alright, what do you guys think?
Injury Report
Jets
HB Isaiah Crowell - Questionable
WR Quincy Enunwa - Out
CB Trumaine Johnson - Doubtful
S Marcus Maye - Out
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis - Doubtful
WR Terrelle Pryor - Doubtful
CB Buster Skrine - Out
Vikings
DE Everson Griffen - Out
HB Dalvin Cook - Out
DT Linval Joseph - Questionable
SS Andrew Sendejo - Out
LT Riley Reiff - Out
HB Isaiah Crowell - Questionable
WR Quincy Enunwa - Out
CB Trumaine Johnson - Doubtful
S Marcus Maye - Out
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis - Doubtful
WR Terrelle Pryor - Doubtful
CB Buster Skrine - Out
Vikings
DE Everson Griffen - Out
HB Dalvin Cook - Out
DT Linval Joseph - Questionable
SS Andrew Sendejo - Out
LT Riley Reiff - Out
* My thoughts *
It seems to me this season that the Jets offense is either A) running full steam or B) struggling big time this season. Sam Darnold has been turnover-prone and would be ranked in the "Poor" PFF category if given one at this point in his career. I do think that Darnold has top 10 potential, but he's just 21 and started two full years at USC. The Vikings need to pressure him into making mistakes. The key to the Jets offense has been the running game - Isaiah Crowell has had a few big games, but is just an average HB. He's banged up and Bilal Powell will get plenty of work, too. Both should be contained by the Vikings run defense.
The Jets' O-line is average at best. Kelvin Beachum is back to being a decent LT and Brandon Shell turned into a solid RT, but the interior is weak. Maybe Sheldon Richardson could have a big game against his former team? Meanwhile, the receivers are thoroughly lacking. With Enunwa and Kearse likely out, deep threat Robby Anderson (who was better with McCown) and the 2017 mega-disappointment Terrelle Pryor will be out there on almost every down. Including a group of mediocre TEs who have very little experience and aren't special prospects, the Vikings should be able to cover these guys.
Todd Bowles has a pretty good defense at his disposal, and the chart doesn't quite do the unit justice as LB Darron Lee and S Marcus Maye had poor 2017 seasons but are playing much better football now. The Jets have some stout run defenders with Williams and McLendon, and Avery Williamson is one of the most underrated players in the league. My problem with the Jets is that their best edge defender (pass-rushing OLB) is... Jordan Jenkins? Brandon Copeland, a journeyman, is your other starting pass rusher? Some UDFA named Frankie Luvu is your third pass rusher? I would guess that the Jets likely offered the Raiders a package for Khalil Mack (they have the need and cap space) but the Bears outbid them.
Finally, the Jets have a problem at the CB position. Trumaine Johnson and Buster Skrine should both miss the game, leaving one decent player in Mo Claiborne, probably tasked with Diggs, Darryl Roberts on Treadwell, and rookie Parry Nickerson on for slot duties against Adam Thielen (good luck!). Maye and Adams are a good safety combo that shouldn't be beaten in coverage very often (scratch that, Doug Middleton will be playing at FS. Cousins should try to challenge him deep).
Prediction: Vikings 26, Jets 24
I'll admit, with so many injuries and a Jets team I'm not too familiar with, I don't have a great read on this game. On one hand, the Vikings have the better team, but they aren't quite as good on the road. With the Bills and Rams games behind them, I think the defense can beat Darnold and the other weapons this team has.
Alright, what do you guys think?
... and neither is this Chris guy.