Denver Broncos: 25 or under against the New York Jets
In week three of the NFL season, the Denver Broncos have their home debut against the New York Jets. Will they stay true to 25 or Under?
The NFL average of points per game during the 2020 season was at an all-time high of 24.8 points. Up to this point, the Denver Broncos have held each of their opponents to just 13 points. Granted that was against two inferior opponents in the New York Giants and the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it still shouldn’t take away from the Denver Broncos’ accomplishments.
Those teams get paid just like the players on the Denver Broncos do. These games came at a cost for the Denver Broncos unfortunately, Bradley Chubb and Josey Jewell both got severely injured last week alone.
Rising star, Josey Jewell, had a season-ending pectoral injury on punt coverage that might have been his last play in Broncos’ orange.
Denver Broncos: 25 or under vs. the Jets in week 3
For Bradley Chubb, he re-injured the same ankle that has been a nuisance to him for the entity of the off-season. His ankle injury is due to a bone spur that will require surgery and an IR stint but does not appear to be a season-ending IR stint. His injury has a timeline of anywhere for 6-8 weeks for recovery.
This defense is already missing cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Michael Ojemudia, so it seems the injuries are starting to pile up here for the Denver Broncos. Missing four key players will hurt the Denver Broncos defense this Sunday, but I don’t think it will be detrimental to the team.
As it stands today, Jamison Crowder is still questionable for Sunday’s match-up. Other than Crowder, there is one weapon outside that I would be concerned with and that is Corey Davis. First-year Head Coach Robert Saleh has a trio of backs at his disposal also; Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson, and Javonte Williams’ former teammate at North Carolina, Michael Carter.
Their backfield has three different backs with three different skill sets, which could potentially create some issues for the Denver Broncos defense. All three of the aforementioned have at least 14 carries on the season averaging out just above four yards per carry.
All of that said, I don’t see the Von Miller and crew having too many issues containing the New York Jets rushing attack or receivers. I’ve actually envisioned Von Miller having a massive game with the New York Jets being without monstrous offensive tackle Mekhi Becton.
Miller may be facing off Morgan Moses as he typically is lined up on the left side of the defense, so Moses will be a key player for the Jets come Sunday.
Von dominates this match-up in my prediction, as he dances his way to a hat trick while adding a forced fumble on rookie, Zach Wilson. Building off of the strong pass rush, I think Justin Simmons collects his first interception this season, as well as Patrick Surtain II collecting his second.
On a day that will be filled with a rocking stadium, multiple sacks, and multiple turnovers, I think the hobbled Denver Broncos defense still prevents the New York Jets from crossing the 25 point threshold.
Zach Wilson will throw a touchdown pass, and kicker Matt Ammendola will push a couple of field goals through the mile-high atmosphere propelling the New York Jets to 13 points. This will be the third opponent in a row that the Denver Broncos have held to just 13 points if this plays out as I expect.