Jets vs. Eagles: Previewing NY Jets Preseason Week 4 Matchup

This is it. Just one week remains before things start to count in the NFL with the kickoff of the 2015 regular season. But before we get there, we need to pass the fourth week of the exhibition. And for the Jets, that means the team's annual matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Thursday night at MetLife Stadium, Todd Bowles and Co. will welcome Chip Kelly and the Birds for the final installment of preseason games. While the majority of both teams' starters are expected to rest, this does represent the final chance for those on the roster bubble to show they belong.

Will it be Matt Flynn or Josh Johnson who the Jets take as the team's backup quarterback against the Cleveland Browns? Can Trevor Reilly show he can be a solid contributor with Lorenzo Mauldin hurting? What player will be the one who takes command of the final receiver spot on the depth chart?

Those questions and more should all be answered on Thursday. So, what exactly should you keep an eye on? Here's what to watch for as the Jets and Eagles square off:

Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. 
Time: 7 p.m. EST
TV: CBS, Channel 2

Preseason Week 3 Recap: New York Jets 28, New York Giants 18

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In arguably the best performance of his three preseason starts, Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick showed just about everything one could want in the team's 28-18 victory over the Giants.

Playing the entire first half, Fitzpatrick finished 9-of-14 for 127 yards with a pair of touchdowns (one to receiver Eric Decker, another to running back Zac Stacy) and an impressive quarterback rating of 133. New York's offensive starters accounted for 194 yards in the first two quarters, had drives of 64 and 68 yards and scored twice on their first four possessions.

For a starting unit that had scored just one touchdown (against the Falcons second-team defense) entering the game, the outing was just what the doctor ordered.

"The talk isn't about not scoring at all and what's wrong with the offense anymore," Fitzpatrick said after practice Monday. "So, in that regard, it makes it easier, but we still have a lot of work to do, and I think we all know that in this locker room."

Fitzpatrick wasn't the only one who had a nice showing against the Giants. Aside from Stacy's 24-yard touchdown grab on a screen, the back added 60 yards on 13 carries. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who has been criticized lately for his practice struggles, intercepted an Eli Manning pass and returned it 59 yards for a score.

And, on a minor note, the victory brought the "Snoopy Trophy"—given to the victor of the "Snoopy Bowl"— back to Florham Park for the first time since 2013.

News and Notes

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

A heavy helping of Matt Flynn and Josh Johnson
Ryan Fitzpatrick won't play, and Jets coach Todd Bowles said he hasn't determined if rookie Bryce Petty will suit up. As a result, expect an awful lot of Matt Flynn and Josh Johnson Thursday night.

Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Bowles said he's eager to see what both Flynn and Johnson can do in a game, since neither has suited up for the Jets yet. That's a bit understandable, considering Johnson was signed last Thursday and Flynn, despite the fact he's been a Jet for two weeks, has been dealing with a hamstring injury.

Geno Smith will miss a chunk of the first half of the season as he recovers from his broken jaw, Fitzpatrick is the team's starter, and Petty isn't ready to be New York's No. 2 yet. What that means is a backup job is there for the taking. The question is who wants it.

While Flynn is the favorite for the spot, Johnson could make a push with a strong performance.

Can Quincy Enunwa be Jace Amaro?
On Tuesday, the Jets placed Jace Amaro, last year's second-round pick, on the season-ending injured reserve. After the team held out hope that the tight end would recover enough from a torn shoulder labrum suffered in the first preseason game to return to the field, the decision was ultimately made to end Amaro's 2015 season before it ever began.

As a result, a spot now opens on New York's roster. Not necessarily at a tight end, but that's because Amaro wasn't ever going to really be used as a tight end.

In college at Texas Tech, Amaro was a straight receiving option: A player too big for safeties but too quick for linebackers. After failing to make a complete conversion to tight end last year, Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said he planned to use Amaro as an H-back this season. Plays were designed, and the OC began to think of exactly what Amaro could bring to the offense.

With Amaro now out for the year, those reps are there for the taking, and receiver Quincy Enunwa wants to be the one to grab them.

At 6'2", 225 pounds, Enunwa is big for a receiver, and prides himself on being able to block. Against the Giants last week, New York experimented with him at the H-Back position. On the second play of the game, he caught a 10-yard pass after coming in motion and breaking out into the flat.

While Enunwa is a player expected to make the Jets roster, a solid showing against the Eagles could convince the coaches to not only keep him on the final 53, but also get him some meaningful playing time.

Who's going to be the player that steps up?
Jets coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that he has "somewhere in the 40s" of players he knows will make the Jets final roster. That means there are 13 roster openings, plus an additional 10 practice squad spots, still undecided. For the players on the roster bubble, Thursday night will be their final chance to show they belong.

Tempers will be heated, players will be giving everything they have and someone on the roster is destined to step up. Receivers Shaq Evans and Walter Powell, tight end Wes Saxton, guard Jarvis Harrison and nose tackle Deon Simon are all guys who could steal a spot with a solid outing.

Latest Injury News

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Thursday night is going to be an interesting one for the Jets, as some players will be sitting out with legitimate injuries, others because of “soreness” and more simply because Bowles doesn’t want to play them.

As a result, it’s going to be a bit of a wait-and-see as to who actually dresses against Philly.

“I’m leaning towards (playing) some (starters),” Bowles said. “Because we’re down quite a few people. We’re going to see who’s the healthiest and try to at least have them available if something happens to some of the guys out on the field.”

Out:
Jace Amaro, Tight End: Placed on IR Thursday
Kevin Vickerson, Defensive Lineman: Placed on IR Thursday
Leonard Williams, Defensive End: Knee
Geno Smith, Quarterback: Jaw
Stevan Ridley, Running Back: PUP, Knee
Dee Milliner, Cornerback: Wrist
Erin Henderson, Linebacker: Knee
Jeremy Kerley, Receiver: Concussion
Devin Smith, Receiver: Ribs
Muhammad Wilkerson, Defensive Line: Coach’s decision
Sheldon Richardson, Defensive Line: Coach’s decision

Likely Out
James Carpenter, Guard: Back
Willie Colon, Guard: Sore
Calvin Pace, Linebacker: Groin
Brandon Marshall, Receiver: Sore

Game-Time Decision
Ben Ijalana, Offensive Lineman: Back
Ronald Talley, Linebacker: Hamstring

Key Matchups

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

Tim Tebow vs. Jets Defense
Remember when Tim Tebow was a Jet? That was fun. Well, at least it was entertaining.

For the first time since his New York career came to a close after just one season, Tebow will return to MetLife Stadium as quarterback of the Eagles. Locked in a positional battle with Matt Barkley, the former first-round pick (it’s still hard to believe that) needs a solid performance in order to keep his roster spot. The Jets defense will be doing everything they can to make sure he returns to the T.V. studio.

While years from now few will remember the day Tebow faced the scrub Jets defense in the 2015 preseason finale, it will at least be some source of entertainment and keep eyes on the television screen when he’s in the game.

After all, who doesn’t love a little Tebow Time? No matter how ugly it may be.

Chris Owusu vs. Eagles Secondary
Through the first three weeks of Jets camp, there wasn’t a bigger star than receiver Chris Owusu.

After earning praise from fellow wideout Eric Decker, Owusu was catching just about everything thrown his way. He was getting deep, running crisp routes and being rewarded for his practice field performance with first-team reps.

Then Owusu suffered a concussion, and the hype train came to a screeching halt.

Owusu played his first preseason game of the year last week against the Giants but was held catchless. He’s expected to make the Jets roster, but if a player like Shaq Evans steps up, there’s a slight chance the Tampa Bay Buccaneers castoff is let go again.

One way Owusu can prevent that from happening? Have a performance to remember Thursday night.

X-Factor

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Matt Flynn has had quite the NFL career.

From Packers seventh-round pick, to Monday Night Football superstar, Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders castoff, Packers backup again and more, it’s been a roller coaster for the LSU product.

After being released by Patriots in early August, Flynn signed with the Jets to provide veteran insurance with Geno Smith sidelined with a broken jaw. Now fully (or at least enough to play) recovered from a hamstring injury, Flynn will take the field and play for the first time as a Jet.

Bowles are Co. are anxious to see what Flynn has, not necessarily with any hopes that he could be a starter, but rather just to breathe a sigh of relief that in case something happens to Fitzpatrick, Flynn can step in and keep the boat afloat until help arrives.

If Flynn comes out and stinks up MetLife Stadium, well, New York will be back looking for another veteran until Smith is healthy enough to return.

Prediction: Eagles 24, Jets 20

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There are certainly a few storylines to monitor as the Jets get set to face the Eagles. Flynn and Johnson come to mind, along with Owusu, Reilly and more. Essentially, the score doesn’t matter as much as the performance of the younger players on the roster and those on the roster bubble.

While the Jets don’t necessarily have any “starting” positions up for grabs, there are several backup spots there for the taking, essentially, across the roster.

Who will be the team’s four backup offensive linemen? How many receivers make the roster? Will both Darrin Walls and Marcus Williams make the team as cornerbacks? The list goes on and on.

In the end, look for Owusu to step up now that he has a full week of practice under his belt, Flynn should be solid enough to show he can back up Fitzpatrick and Zac Stacy should flash a few times as a runner.

But the Jets will lose…after Tim Tebow leads a game-winning drive that culminates with a touchdown pass to tight end Trey Burton.

Eagles 24, Jets 20

Connor Hughes is the New York Jets beat writer for the Journal Inquirer and Scout.com. All quotes and advanced stats referenced and used are gathered firsthand. Connor can be reached on Twitter (@Connor_J_Hughes) or via email ([e-mail]).