Game: Atlanta Falcons @ New York Jets
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Odds: Falcons -2.5, Jets +2.5
Total: 38
The Atlanta Falcons and the New York Jets both recorded preseason wins last week. For Atlanta, it was just the team’s second preseason win in its last 17 games. Atlanta was 1-15 SU and ATS going into last week’s road win at Detroit. The Jets beat Philadelphia 24-21. Now, the two will meet tonight and the Falcons will have the opportunity to end another preseason streak.
Atlanta has not won a preseason game as a favorite since 2016. They are 0-5 SU and ATS in their last five preseason games as the favorite. New York actually opened as a small home favorite, but the line has shifted to the Falcons -2.5. One of the big reasons is quarterback play.
The Jets will not have starter Zach Wilson after he suffered a knee injury last week. It’s not serious, but Wilson did have arthroscopic surgery and will miss anywhere from two to four weeks. That means that the Jets will likely give veteran backup Joe Flacco some time tonight. Mike White, who went 10-for-20 for 98 yards last week, and Chris Streveler (6-for-9, 62 yards, 2 TDs) will get the majority of the snaps.
For Atlanta, it will be Marcus Mariota and third-round draft pick Desmond Ridder. Mariota has been named the starter for the season already, but Ridder has proven that he may be the future of the franchise. Ridder was 10-for-22 for 103 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 1 win over the Lions. Ridder also ran for 59 yards on six carries.
Last week, the Atlanta defense had some trouble defending the pass against Detroit. The Falcons allowed 292 passing yards. That gives the Jets something to pursue and take advantage of. However, the Atlanta defense did force two Detroit turnovers that essentially gave the Falcons the win. The turnovers switched the game’s momentum. What is interesting is that the Jets are a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS in the last four preseason games against Atlanta. Taking advantage of the passing game might be the best way to make that a perfect 5-0.
Neither of these two teams had much success last season. Neither team is expected to do much this season either. Atlanta went 3-6 SU over its final nine games last season. The Jets were 2-8 SU over their last ten. Atlanta did have some success on the road going 6-2-1 ATS in its last nine away games.
The Jets’ two wins in those last ten games weren’t all that impressive either. They came against Houston and Jacksonville, two of the worst teams in the NFL in 2021. New York averaged 18.2 points per game last season which was 28th in the NFL. Four of their last five games went Over the total though. The Over has hit in six of the last nine Falcons-Jets games. The total has also gone Over in 10 of the Jets’ last 14 games.
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