In a highly anticipated matchup, the New York Jets (1-0, 1-0 ATS, 1-0 O/U) are set to face off against the Carolina Panthers (0-1, 0-1 ATS, 0-1 O/U) during week two of the NFL preseason on Saturday evening. The Jets kicked off their preseason with a solid home victory over the Washington Commanders, while the Panthers experienced a tough loss on the road against the New England Patriots.
Fans are excited for the NFL Picks this season!
Jets Display Promising Start
The New York Jets are focused on maintaining player health as they progress through the preseason. Notably, Aaron Rodgers, the team’s star quarterback, will be sidelined for the remaining exhibition games. If the Jets can keep their key players fit, they have the potential to make a playoff run this year, especially given their formidable defensive lineup. In their preseason opener, New York defied expectations as three-point underdogs, securing a 20-17 victory against the Commanders.
This offseason, the Jets added quarterback Jordan Travis from Florida State, although he is currently recovering from a previous injury and will not participate in the preseason. Tyrod Taylor has been brought in as a veteran backup to Rodgers. Taylor showcased his skills with 1,341 passing yards and a 5:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio while with the Giants last season. The Jets’ depth chart also features Andrew Peasley from Wyoming and Adrian Martinez, who contributed 104 passing yards in the opener.
On the ground, Breece Hall leads the Jets’ rushing attack, while rookie Braelon Allen, selected in the fourth round, impressed by gaining 54 rushing yards in his first game. Additionally, seasoned receiver Mike Williams has been added to the roster but remains inactive for now, recovering from injury.
The Jets’ defense is expected to shine this season. C.J. Mosley, a key player, topped the team in tackles last year and is ready for another standout performance. The secondary boasts top-tier talent, featuring cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and DJ Reed, with the pass defense ranking second in the league last year, while the rush defense struggled at 25th.
Last season, New York averaged just 15.8 points per game, placing them 29th in the league, while their defense allowed an average of 20.9 points, good for 12th overall.
Panthers Hope for Redemption After Tough Opener
The Carolina Panthers are eager to bounce back from a challenging previous season, during which they managed only two wins. The team underwent significant changes in the offseason, including the hiring of Dave Canales as the new offensive coordinator, previously with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In their preseason opener, the Panthers struggled as 6.5-point underdogs, losing 17-3 to the Patriots.
Quarterback Bryce Young, the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is viewed as the centerpiece of the Panthers’ offensive ambitions. However, Young’s rookie season was shaky, accumulating 2,877 passing yards with an 11:10 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He did not participate in the preseason opener.
Veteran Andy Dalton was signed to serve as the backup quarterback. After dealing with a quad injury, Dalton returned to practice recently, but it’s uncertain if he will play. Consequently, Jake Luton and Jack Plummer are expected to take the majority of snaps. Luton has not played in an NFL regular-season game since 2020, while Plummer, an undrafted rookie from Louisville, recorded 86 passing yards in the previous game.
Carolina’s rushing game is primarily led by Chuba Hubbard, who gained 902 rushing yards last season. Meanwhile, second-round draft pick Jonathan Brooks is sidelined due to injury, leaving Mike Boone as the primary option, who has 538 career rushing yards. The Panthers also added Diontae Johnson to bolster their receiving corps, where he is anticipated to be the top wide receiver.
Defensively, the Panthers showed flashes of promise last year, although they lost sack leader Brian Burns. They introduced veteran Jadeveon Clowney to replace him. Young cornerback Jacee Horn remains a key player, though he has faced injury issues. Last season, Carolina’s pass defense ranked third, while the rush defense was rated 23rd.
The Panthers struggled offensively last season, averaging 13.9 points per game, placing them 31st, while their defense surrendered an average of 24.5 points, ranking 28th overall.
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Strategic Picks for Jets vs. Panthers Showdown
The New York Jets are known for their competitive edge in preseason games, with head coach Robert Salah boasting an impressive 8-2 record. The Carolina Panthers, conversely, faced significant struggles last season. The Jets possess greater depth across all positions, particularly on defense. Compounding the Panthers’ challenges, top draft picks Xavier Legette and Jonathan Brooks are currently injured.
In terms of quarterback depth, the Jets are in a favorable position with Tyrod Taylor, who has starting experience. Meanwhile, Carolina’s Andy Dalton has only recently returned to practice, leaving the inexperienced Jake Luton and undrafted rookie Jack Plummer to lead the team. In their win against the Commanders, Jets quarterbacks Andrew Peasley and Adrian Martinez demonstrated their efficiency, completing 66% of their passes for a total of 177 yards.
