• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The New York Jets have had a lot of success in season openers, in recent history. The Jets have won their last five season openers, and will look to extend their NFL‘s longest active streak today against the Cincinnati Bengals. New York is the underdog (CIN -1.5) even as a home team, going into their first regular season match-up.

Cincinnati last season scored 419 points (7th in the NFL last season), and gave up the second fewest (17.4) points per game. The Bengals are led by their red headed gunslinger, Andy Dalton. When Dalton is making good decisions and mixing in good runs from Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard, the Bengals offense is potent. A.J. Green is Dalton’s favorite target, and looks to have another 1,000+ yard receiving season.

The Jets will have their hands full trying to contain Green, but New York will be looking to get pressure on Dalton. The defensive line in preseason for the Jets looked solid, and will be a huge factor Sunday. Even without the suspended Sheldon Richardson, look for Dalton to get sacked at least 3 times and the Jets to have 5 or more QB hits.

(Photo Credit: Anthony J. Causi) Fitzpatrick will need to make good decisions Sunday.
(Photo Credit: Anthony J. Causi) Fitzpatrick will need to make good decisions Sunday.

As far as offensively, the Jets should get a good game from Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Jets will go as far as Fitzpatrick will take them. Fitzpatrick looked good in his preseason appearances, and has gotten in sync with Eric Decker early. Look for a touchdown connection between these two, in a red-zone situation Sunday afternoon. An interception-free game is what is going to have to happen for New York to come away with a victory. Fitzpatrick should have a 250+ yard game with at least one touchdown.

Matt Forte is going to be the workhorse, and is going to set the tone early. Forte should have at least 70 rushing yards in his first regular game as a Jet. His running style and ability to catch it out of the back field, will create more opportunities for Brandon Marshall and Decker to make plays downfield.

Taking all into consideration, New York will come out with their sixth straight season opening win. It will be a tightly contested game all the way up into the fourth quarter. The Jets defense will make key stops late to secure a 20-14 win at MetLife Stadium, this afternoon.

Barry Holmes is a Senior Writer for PureSportsNY.com. Follow him on Twitter @BHO732

By Barry Holmes

Graduate of Millersville University, with a BS in Communications focused in Broadcast. Senior Writer & Social Media Manager for PureSportsNY.

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