The Denver Broncos haven’t yet won on the road this season. They’ll try to get rid of that frustrating reality this weekend, but the New York Jets are going to be motivated to beat them.
NFL Picks: Denver Broncos @ New York Jets
Sunday, October 12th – 1:00 PM ET
Odds: Denver (-9)
Why The Broncos Will Cover
They are the much better team, and it doesn’t have to be any more complicated than that. The Jets were coming off a bad loss to Detroit two weeks ago when they took on the San Diego Chargers on the road. The Jets didn’t cross midfield until the second half of the game. Their offense was lifeless and inept, lacking in both energy and execution. Quarterback Geno Smith angrily yelled at fans at home when the loss to Detroit in New Jersey went final in late September.
Smith could have used that ugly experience to refocus himself and take in the moment in front of him in San Diego, but instead, he allowed his negative emotions to carry through the week. He performed far worse against the Chargers than he did against the Lions.
The Jets are in such huge trouble, and what’s alarming for them is that Denver is not just a team with a sexy offense. The Broncos have a better, more beefed-up defense this year with Aqib Talib in the secondary and DeMarcus Ware as an edge pass rusher. The Broncos’ defense is going to hold the Jets to a small point total, and so even if the Broncos’ offense struggles against the Jets’ defense, Denver should be able to be in good shape throughout this game. If it falls behind 7-0 early, Denver should find it manageable to eventually steer this game in the direction it wants.
Why The Jets Will Cover
This is a game in which the Jets are making what feels like a last stand. The team is 1-4. Coach Rex Ryan knows his job is on the line. The team is desperate. The coaching staff is desperate. Everyone in the locker room is angry. Emotions are being vented. The whole scene looks really ugly and pathetic. Yet, once all this emotional releasing takes place, the Jets will focus on trying to win a game, which is what everyone is trying to do.
When professional athletes have their pride wounded, they will often (though not always) come out firing and playing with the passion that was missing in previous weeks. The Jets are not going to play really well in most of their remaining games. Everyone knows this is a team that’s in huge trouble. However, this is just one game, and in this specific game, the Jets are going to go all-out.
They’re going to open the playbook. They’re going to devise their best plan on defense to try to confuse Peyton Manning, and Rex Ryan, having won a playoff game against Peyton when the older Manning brother was with the Indianapolis Colts, has been able to have success against the legend in the past. New York can get turnovers from Peyton and win this game.
Outlook
If the Jets do play as well as the situation suggests they might, this game could become close, but ultimately, New York’s lack of offense is what will leave it shorthanded against the Broncos, who should pull away late for the win.
Pick: Broncos (-9)
