Coming off the emotional victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, the Jets are hoping to ride their newfound momentum into a huge Week 3 showdown with the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals at home. Can the Jets make it two in a row against the Bengals?
The Jets are hoping to have a breakout party with their pass rush against a team and a quarterback in Joe Burrow that has suffered a league-high 13 sacks through two weeks. If there is a matchup where the Jets can take advantage, it is their defensive line against the Bengals’ offensive line that has a right tackle in La’el Collins dealing with back issues but is expected to play and also has a left side of the line that has gotten off to a tough start with left tackle Jonah Williams (ten total pressures allowed, per PFF) and rookie left guard Cordell Volson (seven total pressures). This could be a great day for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
The other big matchup is obviously the Jets secondary and their strong cornerback duo of D.J. Reed and Sauce Gardner against the trio of Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins. This is going to be so fascinating to see how the Jets travel their cornerbacks and how they defend the three receivers. This is also why it will be so important for the Jets’ pass rush to get home and limit the opportunities Chase and company will see Sunday.
Here’s thinking the pass rush will get there, Burrow gets sacked a few times and the Jets start clicking more on offense in what should be the final game with Joe Flacco at quarterback.
Prediction: Jets 24, Bengals 20
