Having Won Once as Road Underdog This Season, Jets Try Again in Cleveland
It was supposed to be a battle between two AFC contenders, but such is no longer the case when it comes to Prime Video's Thursday Night Football finale on December 28.
Somehow, despite losing their starting quarterback and signing 38-year-old Joe Flacco off the street, the host Cleveland Browns currently holds the No. 5 seed in the AFC Playoff picture. While the Browns are humming, the same cannot be said for the New York Jets.
Eliminated from postseason contention two weeks ago, the Jets (6-9) are playing for pride when they visit the Browns (10-5) as a betting underdog. Cleveland, which rides a three-game win streak, enters the matchup as a 7.5-point home favorite according to SI Sportsbook.
The Jets have won two of their last three games, but both victories came at home. They were a 3.5-point home underdog before pounding the Houston Texans, 30-6, on December 10. Last Sunday, they were a 3.0-point home favorite over Washington and posted a 30-28 victory.
New York's lone outright win as a road underdog, this season, happened back in Week 5. As a 2.5-point road 'dog, the Jets topped Russell Wilson and the Broncos in Denver.
On Thursday, the Jets will start Trevor Siemian at quarterback for the second game in a row as Zach Wilson remains in concussion protocol. The 31-year-old Siemian threw for 217 yards and one touchdown against the Commanders on Christmas Eve. He was intercepted once and averaged only 4.4 yards per attempt.
"He’s got so much play time under his belt that it was great just to have a conversation with him and his recognition that he could have even done better," said Saleh. "Obviously, it is a short week, but he’ll prepare the way where he needs to.
Siemian will lead the Jets up against the NFL's No. 1 ranked defense (260.3). Cleveland limits its opponents to a league-low 4.46 yards per play.
"They’re doing a really nice job defensively, they’re playing at an elite level," said Saleh.
On offense, Cleveland will start Flacco for the fifth straight game. He owns a 3-1 record while averaging 326.8 pass yards per game.
The expected point total (over/under) for the December 28 AFC matchup has dipped down to 34.5. For those interested in money line wagering, the Browns carry -333 odds while the Jets offer a +265 return.
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