The winless New York Jets travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the 6-1 Kansas City Chiefs. The Jets are still seeking their first victory of the season, while the Chiefs look to build off an impressive Week 7 win over the Denver Broncos. The stars certainly do not align in this one for the Jets, but the show must go on.
For the Jets, it has been a disastrous season when measuring up to teams like the Chiefs. The offense is dead last in the league in regards to points scored and total yards. However, Sam Darnold appears to be ready to start this week after full practice on Thursday and Friday. Darnold sat out Weeks 5 and 6 with a shoulder injury and had a dismal return last week against the Buffalo Bills. Wideouts Breshad Perriman and Jamison Crowder both look to be out of action against the Chiefs. Crowder currently leads the Jets in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Darnold will have to rely on wideouts Braxton Berrios, rookie Denzel Mims, and Jeff Smith.
Defensively for the Jets, things haven’t been too great either. Currently, the defense allows 29 points per game and is taking on the Chiefs offense, who now average 31 points per game. This matchup continues to look worse and worse for the Jets. To add to an already thin position, starting safety Bradley McDougald is listed as out this week dealing with a shoulder injury. Unfortunately for the Jets, they cannot generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, with just an 18.4 percent pressure rating. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will have a field day sitting back and picking apart the Jets secondary.
On the other hand, Kansas City looks to be in playoff shape, coming off a monster Week 7 win against the Broncos. Mahomes threw for 200 passing yards and just one touchdown in the blowout victory. Meanwhile, we saw the first edition of the Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Le’Veon Bell duo. Both backs saw less than 10 carries against Denver, but Edwards-Helaire averaged 5.75 yards per carry, and Bell averaged 6.5. Therefore, efficiency is the name of the game in the Chiefs backfield, and expect Kansas City to use them early as the Jets currently allow an average of 7.5 yards per rush in the first quarter.
However, the star for the Chiefs last week was the defense. Kansas City’s defense allowed just 16 points and forced four turnovers. The Chiefs currently rank third in the NFL in pressure rate at 28.4 percent. With players like Taco Charlton returning to the lineup this week, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will be able to rotate his pass rushers around. Thus he can create the best opportunities for his players.
Game Info
Date: November 1st, 2020
Start time: 12:00 P.M. CST
Location: Kansas City, MO
Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium
TV Info: CBS
Betting Odds Sponsored by Jazz Sportsbook
Point Spread: NYJ +20 (-110) | KC -20 (-110)
Moneyline: NYJ +1400 | KC -4000
Over/Under: O 49 (-110)｜U 49 (-110)
Clearly, the Chiefs are a heavy favorite in this one. Due to injuries and just not great football for the Jets, combined with the Chiefs’ Ferrari-like performance, it’s hard not to think this game will be at least a 20-point difference. However, it would be unwise to bet on the Chiefs with a margin of that size, so if you want to wager on it, take the Jets at +20.
If the Jets can scrape together some kind of offense, a point total of 49 is not out of reach. However, this likely isn’t going to happen this week. In addition, one thing the Jets do have going for them is forcing turnovers. So, take the under this week as the Chiefs won’t post 40 points, but the Jets will struggle to put up even 10.
Prediction
The Chiefs come firing out of the gate in this one behind Mahomes’ arm power combined with the dual threat of Bell and Edwards-Helaire. The Jets have no answer and allow the Chiefs to go into halftime with a 21-3 lead. An interception in the second quarter keeps a sliver of hope alive for the Jets. However, the second half is the same story as the Chiefs tack on another 10 points, and the defense gives up the only Jets touchdown of the game. This one isn’t going to be close.
Final Score: New York 13, Kansas City 31
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