Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Jets Open as Small Underdog in Week 1 MNF Matchup against Buffalo
The New York Jets' Week 1 matchup was officially unveiled, meaning the opening betting line announcement soon followed.
Hosting the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills, the Jets have opened as a slight underdog in the Monday Night Football game slated to be played on the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
FanDuel Sportsbook (New Jersey) set the initial point spread at Buffalo -2.5 (-105). The initial over-under total is 47.5.
The Bills are a -124 favorite on the money line with underdog backers getting a +106 return on the Jets.
The two teams split the 2022 regular season series, accounting for a combined 69 points over eight quarters of football. With Zach Wilson at quarterback, New York posted a 20-17 victory over Buffalo at home in Week 9. The Bills took the grudge match by a 20-12 margin in Week 14.
Gang Green slowed the Bills high-octane offense during both 2022 meetings, holding Josh Allen and Co. to 18.5 points per game, nearly 10.0 ppg under their season average (28.4). Allen, however, still had his way when it came to running the ball. The 6-foot-5 dual threat totaled 133 yards and three touchdowns on 19 rushes against the Jets' defense.
If the Bills' offensive line held up better in pass protection, the season series could have been a completely different story. Instead, the Jets were able to pressure Allen in important passing situations and the Sauce Gardner-led defensive backfield did its part in coverage.
Gang Green's defense was also unnecessarily stressed by the offense's ineptitude. That offense, however, should offer more support in 2023 considering a four-time NFL MVP will be at the controls.
The Jets have received a noticeable confidence boost from the arrival of Aaron Rodgers.
“Phase 2 just started and this week, there's just been a lot of energy. The energy’s been good," said Quincy Williams last week. The veteran line backer was admittedly "star struck" when he first saw Rodgers on the practice field at 1 Jets Drive.
Rodgers, a future Hall-of-Famer, instantly upgrades Gang Green's offense, even if he regresses below his career mean. Averaging the second-lowest yards per pass of his career in 2022, Rodgers still out-performed Jets' quarterbacks in ypa, completion percentage and touchdown passes.
“I feel like we’re gonna have a chance to put some points on the board and do something special,” said receiver Garrett Wilson, the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
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