Jets Have Grounded Two Elite MVP Candidates; Russell Wilson Next?
Russell Wilson is back in the kitchen.
Through the season's first four weeks, the Denver Broncos' quarterback is cooking with two 300-yard passing games and an 9:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
The New York Jets' defense will need to put the heat on Wilson this Sunday in Denver and recent results indicate the unit will be up to the challenge.
They only have one win to show for it, but Gang Green's defense has already bottled up two premier quarterbacks this season.
"They're really physical, deep. They've got some A+ players up there," said Broncos' offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
Outside of a couple key chain-moving plays, reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes was relatively quiet at MetLife Stadium last Sunday night. Posting his lowest single-game passing total through four weeks, he registered a below-average 63.6 quarterback rating against the Jets. Mahomes accounted for one touchdown pass and two interceptions.
In the three games prior to facing the Green & White, Mahomes posted a 7:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Lowered by the Week 4 performance, his quarterback rating remains at a respectable 92.0 for the season.
The defensive effort was somewhat reminiscent of the Week 1 victory over Buffalo when Bills' quarterback Josh Allen was limited to a 62.7 QB rating. The Jets forced Allen into four turnovers, sacked him five times and permitted only one touchdown.
Meanwhile, no team has had an answer for Allen since opening night. In the three games following the loss to Gang Green, the Bills' quarterback has accounted for 10 total touchdowns and only one turnover.
"You watch the film and you just see their defensive line winning one-on-one battles consistently. Good, smart linebackers. [C.J.] Mosley's one of the best in the league," said Broncos' offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi on Thursday.
The Jets have four different players with at least four QB hits already this season led by John Franklin-Myers (7).
As for Denver, Lombardi's offense has noticeably benefitted from Wilson's productive play. The 34-year-old field general ranks third amongst NFL leaders in yards per pass (7.7) and sits tied for second in QB rating (106.7).
"He is doing a lot with his feet. He is scrambling to throw, he will scramble to run if he has to, but he is looking really good," said Jets' third-year head coach Robert Saleh. "You can tell they are starting to get comfortable. They are starting to understand each other. I am talking about [head coach] Sean [Payton] and the quarterback."
The Broncos are catching a huge break with two Jets' cornerbacks already ruled out for the Week 5 matchup. Wilson will face a defense that's missing starter D.J. Reed and backup Brandin Echols.
"We have confidence in all the DBs, whether it's moving people around or however we have to shuffle it. We've got a lot of guys who have played a lot of fooball in this league and have played at a very high level, so we'll be fine," said Saleh.
As Saleh suggested, it does appear that Wilson is starting to cook again. Meanwhile, the Jets' defense has been feasting on elite quarterbacks of late.
The Jets and Broncos will kick off on October 8 at 4:25 pm ET. CBS will carry the game live. Denver opened the week as a 2.5-point favorite on the betting line according to the SI Sportsbook.
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