5 Bold Predictions for New York Jets' Week 15 Matchup
A former Tennessee Titans star returns to LP Field donning new team colors. Both the New York Jets and Titans have two wins—and are draft-lottery pick teams hoping to rebuild their rosters next season.
Each starting roster has a few players who are auditioning for roster spots elsewhere or trying to sway the minds of the current coaching staff in a crucial evaluation period.
Ironically both teams started the season with wins against AFC West opponents but have fallen off the radar since the opening. Nonetheless, the Jets have showed a relentless effort to end the season, showing signs of hope for the future.
On the other hand, the Titans are showing signs of packing it in early. Tennessee has been outscored 124-52 in the last three games. Expect Gang Green to break the game open early and dominate on both sides of the ball.
Here are some bold predictions for the Titans-Jets Week 15 contest.
Chris Johnson Runs for 175 Yards
1 of 5
Football games aren’t about the individual, but this game is extra important to running back Chris Johnson. According to Dom Cosentino of NJ.com, Johnson clearly wants to prove something to his former organization, though he downplays the issue:
""Of course I want to go out there and tear it up, and show them what they missed out on, make them regret it," he said. "But I'm not going to go into the game and try to make it me versus them."
Johnson said it still bothers him how things ended with the Titans, for whom he was once the "CJ2K" face of the franchise. But he also said he's trying not to think about that anymore.
"
This is the first crack at his former team, and Johnson has an ax to grind. He’ll grind it for 20-plus carries and 175 yards against the worst rush defense in the league. He would probably hit the 200-yard mark if he didn’t have to split carries with Chris Ivory.
Johnson has only one rushing touchdown this season but picked up his production in the last two weeks. The coaching staff knows the former Titans running back will have some extra pep in his step when he takes the field this Sunday. Ivory won’t become obsolete, but Johnson will shine the brightest in the backfield.
Geno Smith Throws for 300 Yards
2 of 5
The Jets will get a glimpse of “Good Geno” against the Titans' 22nd-ranked pass defense. According to the Titans' official team website, Blidi Wreh-Wilson has been placed on injured reserve. Coty Sensabaugh and Jason McCourty will start at cornerback.
Geno Smith will flourish despite the strong possibility Percy Harvin misses this game with an ankle injury. According to ESPN New York reporter Rich Cimini, Rex Ryan is much less optimistic than Harvin about his availability for Sunday’s game:
""I'm a lot less optimistic (than he is)," New York Jets coach Rex Ryan said Thursday, alluding to Harvin's comments that he "definitely" will play.
"
Ryan is confident Harvin will play again at some point this season, but you get the impression they will err on the side of caution.
For the second time this season, Smith will pass for 300 yards. He accomplished this feat against a poor Chicago Bears defense in Week 3 before Harvin’s arrival in New York.
The second-year quarterback’s starting job is in jeopardy. He’ll take advantage of another weak pass defense with or without Harvin.
The Jets finish the season against two tough secondaries, the New England Patriots in Week 16 and Miami Dolphins in Week 17. It’s hard to imagine Smith racking up yards and touchdowns against Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner twice in one season.
Secondly, the “handoff” game against Miami two weeks ago shows how much trust the coaching staff has for Smith against the Dolphins' third-ranked pass defense.
Smith will have to press to impress while he has the chance against a much weaker Titans secondary.
Sheldon Richardson Gets 4 Sacks
3 of 5
Last week, Sheldon Richardson stepped up in the absence of Muhammad Wilkerson, who is battling turf toe. Coach Ryan views Wilkerson’s availability as a tossup for Sunday's game, per Cimini:
"Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe) took two team reps in practice, so he was officially listed as limited. It's 50-50 as to whether he will play, according to Ryan. Wilkerson, who has missed the last two games, said his objective is to play, but he stopped short of saying he expects to return.
"
If Wilkerson plays, he won’t be close to 100 percent and will likely be much less effective than he has shown in the beginning of the season.
Richardson was the leader of Gang Green's pass rush against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14, tracking Teddy Bridgewater. This week, Richardson will be in pursuit of Jake Locker, who is a pocket passer.
Locker will be protected by an offensive line with a pass-blocking efficiency of 75 ranked slightly above the Vikings' 74.2 rating, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Expect the second-year defensive lineman to continue dominating in the trenches. Richardson currently leads the defense with 6.5 sacks, three more than his rookie season total.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Jets Pass Defense Forces 3 Interceptions
4 of 5
The Jets secondary has been embarrassed week after week. This week against Locker it'll resemble the Seattle Seahawks' Legion of Boom.
In six games, Locker has thrown seven interceptions. The former first-round draft pick will press to make plays in an audition game. Zach Mettenberger had taken control of the starting position prior to re-injuring his shoulder last week, per the team's official website.
Locker is in a dire situation. After three seasons, Tennessee is primed to go in a new direction at quarterback. The fourth-year signal-caller won’t go quietly, throwing 30-40 times to no avail against an opportunistic pass defense looking to flip a season of bad fortune.
The defensive line will apply enough pressure in the pocket to force some poor throws resulting in turnovers.
Jets Don't Allow a Touchdown
5 of 5
New York was held under seven points twice this season. Finally, Gang Green will return the favor.
Place-kicker Ryan Succop will kick a pair of field goals but nothing more. The Jets will salivate at the opportunity to look like world-beaters against another team struggling to formulate a productive offensive attack.
Gang Green’s defense will be led by the strength of the defensive line, and the defensive backs will capitalize on turnover opportunities.
The win will lessen the Jets’ possibility of drafting Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston—barring a trade.
The Oakland Raiders could be in a position to trade back. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have two wins and need a QB. Tennessee’s quarterback situation is still unsettled.
Smith is playing to win and ultimately increase his chances of remaining on the roster and competing for the starting QB position next season in New York.
Prediction: Titans 6 – Jets 27
Advanced statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
