New York Jets vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars vs. the New York Jets is a kind of video games you’d sometimes see on the Thursday evening NFL schedule, and determine this might be skipped this late within the season. Coming into the season, having that recreation scheduled on Thursday Night Football in December appeared like a dud. Suddenly, this recreation has vital playoff implications for each groups, making it one of many extra intriguing video games on the Week 16 slate. Aside from every little thing on the road, this can be a battle between the highest two picks within the 2021 NFL draft. Zach Wilson took the primary head-to-head matchup towards Trevor Lawrence final yr in a 26-21 Jets win in New York.

Not a lot was anticipated of both group this yr now, with three weeks left within the common season, they discover themselves within the thick of the AFC postseason combine. Jacksonville has its eyes set on a division title. Even at 6-8, the Jags are just one recreation again of the AFC South-leading Tennessee Titans, who could be with out QB Ryan Tannehill for the remainder of the season. In New York, the Jets are out of the AFC East division title race however are holding agency within the combat for the ultimate wildcard spot at 7-7.

Neither can afford a loss, and nobody desires a tie, so this must be a very good one. A loss wouldn’t solely get rid of Jacksonville because the Jags play the Titans of their last recreation of the season in Jacksonville. Seeing how Tennessee has performed currently, the Jags ought to nonetheless have an opportunity come Week 18, as long as they’re not more than a recreation behind the Titans. Jacksonville beat Tennessee in Week 14, 36-22. All they’ve acquired to do is end with the identical report and beat the Titans a second time, and so they win the South.

A month in the past, the Titans had agency management of the division, however after 4 consecutive losses and the Jags profitable three of their final 4 video games, the AFC South has develop into a good race heading towards the top of the season. That Week 18 showdown on Jan. 8 is beginning to appear like it’ll be for all of the division marbles.

In the Jets’ case, all division hope is misplaced, however they’re solely a recreation behind the Chargers and Dolphins for one of many last two wildcard spots. New York wants a bounce-back win extra than simply about any group within the NFL after dropping three straight. They have been 7-4 just a few weeks in the past and appeared to be headed for his or her first postseason look since 2010. A loss this week to Jacksonville might make breaking that streak practically unattainable.

With Mike White nonetheless not cleared to play, the Jets are set to trot out former No. 2 total choose Zach Wilson yet another time. Despite a 5-3 report, Wilson’s been mediocre at finest — and that’s being type. He’s the final word instance of a group profitable regardless of, not due to, his play. This very good Jets’ protection will have to be at its finest as a result of Wilson can’t be trusted to hold this group. The Jets went 4-0 as soon as Wilson returned from harm in Week 4 however have a report of simply 1-3 since that profitable streak ended.

While the report isn’t as polished, Trevor Lawrence is head and shoulders above Wilson in nearly any key QB statistical class you possibly can identify. It’s not simply on paper, both. Just watch Lawrence carry out, and also you’ll see what all of the hype is about. This child is nice and at last wanting like he’s shaping into the QB everybody proclaimed him to be popping out of Clemson. And, after all, he desires a bit of revenge after dropping his first head-to-head battle with Wilson final season. Lawrence was the No. 1 choose in the identical draft as Wilson, so these two gamers will endlessly be linked.