Are Commanders That Bad? Jets Favored to Win Home Finale
Freshly eliminated from NFL Playoffs contention, the New York Jets are coming off a 30-0 road loss and starting quarterback Zach Wilson is in concussion protocol.
Add all of that up and the Jets (5-9) come out as 3.5-point home favorites over the Washington Commanders (4-10) according to SI Sportsbook.
The point spread suggests that the Commanders are in a state of disarray that rivals the Jets. With Ron Rivera seemingly a lame duck head coach under new ownership, Washington owns the league's last-ranked defense (384.5) and hasn't won since November 5. The Commanders carry a five-game losing streak, a span that includes 30+ point setbacks to Dallas and Miami, into MetLife Stadium on December 24.
While the Commanders' opponents have largely had their way on offense this season, the Jets have struggled mightily to consistently move the ball. New York's offense has accounted for 13 touchdowns through 14 games. Their 255.1 yards per game is the lowest average on the circuit.
"I’ve never subscribed to the idea that players quit. I haven’t, because when you quit, you quit on your teammate, and that’s probably one of the greatest sins to me," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh. "I feel like we have tremendous character, and those guys love one another, and they’ll play for one another."
If Wilson does not clear concussion protocol in time, the Jets will hand the keys to 31-year-old quarterback Trevor Siemian.
"They've had to use a whole bunch of quarterbacks so there's no continuity at that position," said Rivera. "Knowing what that offense is capable of, and having seen it when it was in full operation in Green Bay, you know what they're trying to do. They do have a really good running game."
As for the Commanders' quarterback situation, second-year pro Sam Howell will be taking the snaps on Sunday. Howell has completed 64.7 percent of passes for 3,568 yards. Through 14 appearances, he owns a 19:15 touchdown-to-interception passing ratio.
"Just the consistency, to continue with the consistency," said Rivera of what he'd like to see from Howell and the offense. "It's been a tough few weeks. We haven't played the way we've wanted as a team."
The Jets have only been favored in two of 14 games thus far in 2023. They squeaked out a 13-10 overtime win as a 3.0-point favorite over the New York Giants in Week 8. Two weeks later, the Green & White dropped a 16-12 decision as a 1.5-point road favorite against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Money line bettors must lay -175 odds to back the Jets while the Commanders offer +140 odds on the other side. The point total (over/under) is set at 36.5.
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