The New York Jets are masters at torturing fans and sports gamblers.
Gang Green’s dramatic 27-24 overtime win last week against the Tennessee Titans shocked the home crowd. However, the Jets’ first win of the 2021 NFL season also stunned most bettors who backed a low-scoring affair.
This tortured Jets fan is still conflicted. The late-game comeback turned five winning bets to three losses in NFL Week 4. My season bankroll is now $7.45 in the red.
On to Week 5.
The Jets (1-3) are in London for a nationally televised Sunday morning matchup against the Atlanta Falcons (1-3).
Even diehards will have a tough time getting up for a 9:30 a.m. kickoff to watch these two teams.
With the NYJ looking for two wins in a row, here are my five $5 bets for Week 5.
1. Jets soaring after Week 4 win
After all these years, I should be smarter about putting my faith in the New York Jets. I’ve lost count of how many times this team has broken my spirit.
But this was a game I circled months ago as one they can win. I actually thought this would be their first win of the season.
Either way, I’m riding this one out. I’m backing my team outright.
Most New Jersey sportsbooks set the moneyline odds for the underdog Jets somewhere between +120 and +130. I took +130 at FanDuel Sportsbook.
2. Not letting the head Falcon fly
Veteran quarterback Matt Ryan leads Atlanta. The Jets are following rookie QB Zach Wilson.
Both teams’ passing attacks leave much to be desired.
Wilson and the Jets are completing a league-low 56.8% of pass attempts. The Jets average 11.8 yards per reception. Per game, the Jets average less than 200 yards passing.
Atlanta is slightly below the league average in completion percentage at 67.1%. The Falcons average 9.2 yards per catch, which is second-worst in the league. Ryan and his receivers are averaging about 233 yards per game.
Neither team has put up 1,000 total yards through the air this season.
This could be a run-heavy game and the QBs could be left with little to do.
I like Ryan throwing for under 279.5 yards total at DraftKings Sportsbook. Not thrilled about the odds at -115 though.
3. Trying to make dollars, not sense
Make sure to brew a large pot of coffee for this game. The Jets and Falcons are two of the worst offenses in the NFL, so the probability of a snoozefest is high.
The Jets average just under 12 points and a shade over 276 yards per game. They have only found the endzone five times in four games.
The Denver Broncos blanked the Jets in a 26-0 beatdown in Week 3.
Atlanta is slightly better with 19.5 PPG and 319.5 YPG. The Falcons have nine touchdowns on the year.
The line on this game is 45.5 total points.
Against my better (or bettor?) judgment and all logic to the contrary, I’m taking the over (-110) at BetMGM Sportsbook.
4. Young Jets QB has a big day
Full disclosure: I wasn’t high on the Jets drafting Wilson with the second overall pick in this year’s draft. I thought Justin Fields was a better option.
Either way, Wilson is our guy for the foreseeable future. Not that it matters, but he has my support as long as he’s wearing the green and white.
So far, the results have been what most would expect with a rookie QB joining an already bad team.
Wilson has eight interceptions to just four touchdowns for the year. But, other than the Week 2 game against the New England Patriots when he tossed four picks, his mistakes haven’t been egregious or unpredictable.
He can build off of last week’s respectable performance (21-34, 297 YDs, 2TDs, 1INT) against a subpar Atlanta secondary.
Fox Bet NJ is offering a Bet Boost that Wilson throws for 250-plus yards and 2-plus passing TDs at +250.
5. Long shot bet in London
The Jets’ scoring struggles have been on full display in the first halves of games this year. The Jets have put up a grand total of 10 points in the first half. In two games, the Jets failed to score at all in the first half.
Most of that is likely due to Wilson not being able to get in rhythm with his receivers. The Jets’ lack of a running game does not help matters.
Atlanta isn’t lighting up scoreboards to start games though either. The Falcons are averaging 9 PPG in the first half
On a hunch, I think both teams will score more than once in the first half Sunday. In fact, I think we’re going to see a 13-13 tie at the half. I took the hail mary at WynnBet Sportsbook for +750.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig