The New York Jets and I both took off last week.
Yours truly was on stay-cation at the Jersey Shore with family. Gang Green forgot to show up at MetLife Stadium in a 25-6 loss to the New England Patriots.
But, we are both back for Week 3 of the 2021 NFL season.
The Jets (0-2) travel west to the Rocky Mountains for a matchup with the Denver Broncos (2-0) at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday.
After a brutal 0-4 and a push in Week 1, my bankroll needs some wins. So do my beloved New York Jets.
Since I am clearly a glutton for punishment (see above, re: Jets fan) and an awful sports gambler, nothing below should be considered useful advice. Nonetheless, here are my five $5 New York Jets bets for Week 3.
1. New York Jets fly low in the Mile High City
The Jets are 8-10 all-time in Denver, with the most recent NYJ win coming in 2010. Not only do the Jets typically play poorly in Denver, they often have trouble scoring, too.
The Jets got blanked 23-0 the last time these two teams met in the Mile High City. The last time the New York Jets scored more than 25 points in Denver was 1978.
The Broncos, meanwhile, average more than 24 points per game when hosting the Jets.
This season the Jets are averaging 10 PPG and giving up 22 PPG. The Broncos’ splits are 25/13 PPG.
The line on this game is 41.5 (-110) at NJ sportsbooks. It feels like the under is the smart play here. I put my action down with WynnBET Sportsbook for this one.
2. Denver ‘D’ devoured No. 1 pick
No one truly expects rookie quarterbacks to have much success their first season in the NFL. Some of the greats (Peyton Manning and Troy Aikman come to mind) struggled as first-year signal callers on bad teams.
The first two QBs selected in the 2021 NFL Draft are going through it now.
Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence has thrown four TDs and five INTs in two games, including two picks last week against…you guessed it, Denver.
Jets QB Zach Wilson tossed four passes to the wrong team last week, adding to the one he threw in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers.
Expect Wilson to add a couple more this week. DraftKings Sportsbook is offering Over 1.5 interceptions for +150.
3. Backing the Broncos
Listen, betting against my teams is painful. But money is more important than team loyalty sometimes.
This is one of those times.
The New York Jets have no offensive identity and only one true playmaker on defense. New York cannot stop teams from scoring and the endzone is apparently toxic for their offense.
The spread on this game is 10.5 points. It hurts to say this, but that might even be too low.
PointsBet Sportsbook has the Broncos -10.5 (+100). Laying the points.
4. Slow start for Saleh’s squad
Patience is a virtue that most Jets fans have mastered. With a rookie QB and a first-time/first-year head coach at the helm, Jets fans know 2021 will be a long season.
But HC Robert Saleh is a defensive guy. And, the team’s offensive performance over the first two games suggests Coach Saleh’s attention is focused on the other side of the ball.
The NYJ have been downright embarrassing on the offensive side of the ball in the first halves of both games this year. They have a single field goal to their credit in that time.
Week 3 will be more of the same.
BetMGM Sportsbook set the over/under of Jets’ points in the first half at 6.5. The under at +100 is looking real good.
5. New York Jets avoid endzone for a second straight week
High expectations are premediated disappointments. This is especially true when it comes to rooting for the New York Jets.
Unfortunately, even modest expectations often lead to crushed hopes when it comes to this franchise.
So, let’s set the bar real low this week.
Since I don’t see the Jets finding the endzone a whole lot (read: not at all), I’m backing this play at FOX Bet NJ: Over 2.5 NYJ Total Field Goals (Inc. OT) at +400.
AP Photo/Bill Kostroun