Broncos (1-3) vs. Jets (1-3)
When: 2:25 p.m. Sunday
Where: Empower Field at Mile High
Radio/TV: 850 AM, 94.1 FM/CBS (KCNC-4)
Broncos-Jets series: Broncos are 21-17-1 in 40 regular-season games dating back to 1960; the Broncos lost 16-9 in the last meeting, on Oct. 23, 2022, and have won two of the past three matchups.
In the spotlight
Sean Payton has been following C.J. Mosley since his Alabama days and is still in awe whenever he watches the New York Jets linebacker on tape.
“I said to our offense in the meeting earlier: I don’t care if you watch a wide copy or end zone. When the play finishes, he’s there, whether he made the tackle or not,” Payton said.
Mosley, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, is one of the key members of New York’s physical defensive front that’s expected to give quarterback Russell Wilson and the rest of the offense problems Sunday afternoon.
Mosley, in his second season with the Jets after playing five with the Baltimore Ravens, was named an AP second-team All-Pro after totaling 158 tackles and seven passes defended in 2022. But the 6-foot-2, 250-pound inside linebacker is just part of a deep and talented Jets defensive front seven.
Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, named first-team All-Pro after totaling 12 sacks last season, is a handful in the trenches. And the players around Williams, from defensive tackles Quinton Jefferson and John Franklin-Myers, to second-year edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, are explosive enough that double-teaming the Alabama product can be a risky proposition.
Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said New York’s defensive line has “A-plus players” who consistently win one-on-one battles. That allows the Jets to create pressure on quarterbacks with a four-man rush. Last season, the Jets ranked sixth in quarterback pressures (160) and seventh in sacks (45).
Payton believes the Jets are tough to beat in the red zone. Through four games, opponents have gone 3-for-12 (25%) in the red zone against the Jets.
Despite New York’s record and the absence of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Jets’ defensive front alone will make things interesting on Sunday. In New York’s loss to the Chiefs, they held Kansas City to six points after allowing 17 in the first quarter. The Buffalo Bills, the second-best scoring offense in the league (34.8 points per game), only scored 16 points against New York in Week 1.
“Itap a heavy team,” Payton said. “What I mean by that is when you’re running the ball, you’re seeing two really good inside players. The edge players (are) the same way. When you put a good scheme, good coaching with really good talent, you end up with a defense like this.”
Who has the edge?
When Broncos run
In Week 3 against the Bears, Broncos undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin put together the team’s best rushing performance this season, recording 72 yards on seven carries. With running back Javonte Williams’ status up in the air due to a quad injury, McLaughlin could be in for a bigger workload. New York’s defense has allowed 150-plus rushing yards in the last two games. Edge: Jets
When Broncos pass
Russell Wilson has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league through four games, totaling 1,014 passing yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. Sunday will perhaps be his biggest challenge. The Jets held Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to 203 passing yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in the loss. In Week 1, the Jets picked off Bills quarterback Josh Allen three times. Expect New York’s defensive line to create problems up front. Edge: Jets
When Jets run
New York Jets running back Breece Hall, who tore his ACL against Denver last season, is not expected to be on a pitch count on Sunday. This season, Hall has rushed for 210 yards on 32 carries and had a 127-yard performance against Buffalo. The Broncos have allowed the most rushing yards (176 per game) in the NFL. Edge: Jets
When Jets pass
Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles in Week 1, forcing quarterback Zach Wilson to become the starter again. Wilson, one of the most scrutinized players in the league, had his best game of the season against the Chiefs, completing 28 of 39 passes for 245 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. New York ranks 31st in the league in passing yards, but Denver’s defense is no better. The Broncos have allowed the second-most passing yards in the league (285.5 per game) and gave up 335 yards to Chicago’s Justin Fields last week. Edge: Even
Special teams
Broncos kicker Wil Lutz has responded well since missing a field goal and extra point in Week 1. He converted five straight field goals, including the go-ahead 51-yarder against the Bears last week. Jets rookie wide receiver Xavier Gipson is fourth in the league in punt return yardage with 123. Edge: Broncos
Coaching
Sean Payton made news when he told USA Today that Nathaniel Hackettap brief tenure with the Broncos was one of the worst coaching jobs in NFL history. When Hackett returns to Denver on Sunday as the Jets offensive coordinator, he will see that nothing has changed except Wilson playing at a high level. Both teams are 1-3, Denver’s defense has been bad, while the Jets have struggled offensively under Wilson. Edge: Even
Tale of the tape
| Broncos | Jets | |
|---|---|---|
| Total offense | 333.3 (14th) | 252.8 (30th) |
| Rush offense | 95.5 (t-19th) | 95.5 (t-19th) |
| Pass offense | 237.8 (10th) | 157.3 (31th) |
| Points per game | 25 (11th) | 15.5 (27th) |
| Run defense | 176 (32nd) | 148 (28th) |
| Pass defense | 285.5 (30th) | 215.8 (16th) |
| Points allowed | 37.5 (32nd) | 21 (19th) |
*Stats from 2023
By the numbers
9: Consecutive games the Jets have gone without a receiver recording 100-plus receiving yards. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson had 162 receiving yards against the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 4, 2022.
4: Touchdown passes Wilson has under pressure this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
56: Points the Broncos have allowed in the first half over the last two games.
33: Penalties Denver has committed this season — third most in the NFL.
Bet on it
Line: Broncos -1.5
Russell Wilson has a tough task ahead of him, but he will make enough plays for the Broncos to pull off the win. Denver’s defense, which has allowed 133 points in the last three games, will buckle down against Zach Wilson and company.
Prop bet: Over/under 43
The Jets are one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league. Meanwhile, the Broncos haven’t faced a defense like New York. Itap wise to take the under because this game will be a low-scoring contest.
Post predictions
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Jets 20, Broncos 19
Feels like a coin flip game, but for as much progress as Denver’s offense has made through the first four games, the Jets still represent the best defense on the schedule so far. The group held Buffalo to 22 and Kansas City to 23. The interior defensive line is a force. And yes, this means Nathaniel Hackett exacts some revenge at Empower Field, where he’ll likely hear play clock countdowns and… all sorts of other stuff.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 20, Jets 17
No way Sean Payton talks all that trash about Nathaniel Hackett and the Jets just to lose. Right? New York’s defense will have an edge but I’m not sold on Zach Wilson even after a solid performance against the Chiefs. This won’t be a pretty matchup but the Broncos will figure out a way to get it done.
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Jets 20, Broncos 17
Whatap the difference between two NFL teams desperate to keep hope alive? The way I figure it, our old friend Nathaniel Hackett will do what he does best in the Mile High City: Find a way to get the Broncos beat.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Jets 21, Broncos 20
Whipping the Bears is like whipping the Texas State Fightin’ Armadillos from the 1991 movie “Necessary Roughness.” For all the talk about Nathaniel Hackett versus Sean Payton, this one comes down to Huggy Bear against Vance Joseph. As in, can anybody in orange cowboy up and tackle Breece Hall when it matters? In a pillow fight involving two coordinators over their respective skis, lean toward the roster that can run the ball and play defense on the road.
