Week 13 of the NFL season heats up this Sunday afternoon as the Seattle Seahawks (6-5; 4-6-1 ATS) face off against the New York Jets (3-8; 3-8-0 ATS) at MetLife Stadium. The Seahawks have a strong track record against the Jets, winning their last five encounters, including a January 2023 matchup. Will they maintain their dominance over Gang Green?
Read on for a detailed analysis of the Seahawks vs. Jets matchup.
Seahawks’ Offense: A One-Dimensional Approach
Riding high after consecutive division wins, the Seahawks arrive on the East Coast aiming to solidify their first-place position. While their offensive strategy may seem limited, it has proven effective. Geno Smith leads the league in both pass attempts and passing yards per game, contributing to an average of 22.4 points per game, ranking 12th overall. However, this pass-heavy offense comes with its challenges; Smith has thrown the most interceptions (12) and has been sacked 37 times, reflecting the risks associated with their strategy. The Seahawks’ ground game struggles significantly, sitting at 28th in both rushing yards per carry and rushing yards per game. The question remains: can they effectively utilize their aerial attack against the Jets?
On the defensive side, Seattle knows the importance of keeping opponents under 20 points. They boast a perfect record of 6-0 in such scenarios but falter with a 0-5 record when opponents score more. Their ground defense is a concern, ranking 23rd in yards per carry. In pass defense, they stand 17th in yards allowed per attempt. Overall, they allow 5.5 yards per play (18th) and 22.2 points per game (14th), with 28 sacks and 11 turnovers to their name. How will they adapt after a long flight across the country?
Key Injuries – DK Metcalf (questionable); Tyler Lockett (questionable); Abraham Lucas (questionable); Leonard Williams (questionable); Ernest Jones IV (questionable)
Jets: Searching for Stability After Turbulence
This season, the Jets aimed to break the NFL’s longest playoff drought but instead saw significant upheaval, resulting in the firing of head coach Robert Saleh after Week 5 and the demotion of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. General Manager Joe Douglas acquired star receiver Davante Adams in a last-ditch effort to salvage the campaign, but it resulted in a dismal 1-4 stretch, ultimately costing him his job as well.
The bye week may have provided the Jets with a necessary breather, especially considering they average just 18.5 points per game, placing them 27th in the league. They also struggle on the ground, ranking 30th in rushing yards per game and 22nd in rushing efficiency. Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers ranks 29th in yards per pass attempt among 37 eligible players. However, the Jets do maintain relatively good ball security, with only seven teams recording fewer turnovers. Will the time off allow them to find a rhythm offensively?
Defensively, the Jets allow the fourth-fewest yards per play, playing a significant role in their scoring average of 22.0 points per game, which ranks 12th. Their inability to force turnovers is a limiting factor, with only eight takeaways, tied for the second-fewest in the league. Nonetheless, the Jets rank seventh in sacks (34) and maintain a solid ground defense, allowing just 4.1 yards per carry. They also face the fewest pass attempts in the league, which could impact their performance. Can they come back with renewed energy post-bye week?
Key Injuries – Breece Hall (questionable); Tyron Smith (doubtful); Morgan Moses (questionable)
Best Bets for Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Jets
