Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Jets GAMEDAY Preview: Aaron Rodgers OUT, Which Presents Opportunity
The Atlanta Falcons are traveling to play against the New York Jets this afternoon as both teams attempt to remain in the playoff hunt.
Just last week, the Falcons ended a three-game losing skid by beating its division rival, the New Orleans Saints, to reclaim the top seed in the NFC South. Entering this season, question marks surrounded whether or not Atlanta was ready to take the next step and become a playoff team for the first time since 2017, but early indications suggested they were.
However, one thing has plagued both of these young ascending teams: quarterback play.
New York traded for three-time MVP and Super Bowl champion Aaron Rodgers in the offseason, thinking he was the final missing piece for the team to make a Super Bowl run despite not making the playoffs since 2010. Unfortunately, Rodgers tore his Achilles in his first drive on Week 1, seemingly ending any hope this team had of contending.
Both Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder and Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets entered this season with playoff aspirations.
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Rodgers has had an unprecedented recovery timeline and is now in the process of returning after the Jets opened his 21-day window to be activated off of IR. His return this season would make him the first player to tear an Achilles and return in the same regular season.
While it's unlikely that the legendary signal-caller will suit up this week, his return being on the horizon could be enough to make the team play inspired football so that he'll have a chance at making a playoff run.
Atlanta must remain focused and win on the road, something that has been a struggle all season. Of the team's five wins, just one has come on the road, and it was against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7, the first time that the Falcons took the lead in the NFC South.
If Atlanta wants to maintain its grasp atop the division for the rest of this season, then quarterback Desmond Ridder must do a better job of protecting the football during his second chance as the team's starter. Ridder was benched earlier this season after turnover issues proved to be a consistent problem.
A good game should be in store on Sunday when these two young, scrappy teams play one another with post-season aspirations on the line.
WHAT: Atlanta Falcons (5-6, 1-4 Road) at New York Jets (4-7, 2-4 Home)
WHERE: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (82,500)
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, 1 p.m. ET
TELEVISION: FOX / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: WZGC-FM 92.9 The Game
Get your tickets at SI Tickets
Betting via SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Falcons -1.5
TOTAL: 33.5
MONEYLINE: Falcons -133, Jets +110
