NFL

Are the New York Jets a Top-3 Defense Heading Into 2023?

Published

4 months ago

May 26, 2023

darragh

The New York Jets‘ defense was the lifeblood of their team in 2022. Despite fielding arguably the worst quarterback play in the NFL, the Jets managed to post a 7-9 record in a competitive conference and division. With Aaron Rodgers now under center in New York, the defense’s job might get a little easier. Can Robert Saleh’s unit repeat its production from last season?

The New York Jets’ Defense Was Elite in 2022

By almost any metric, the Jets’ defense was one of the NFL’s best in 2022. New York led the league in yards allowed per play (4.8), gave up the fourth-fewest points, ranked third in Football Outsiders‘ weighted DVOA, and finished sixth in expected points added (EPA) per play.

While the Jets were above-average against the run, they were dominant against the pass. General manager Joe Douglas hit two home runs at cornerback during the 2022 offseason, first signing ex-Seahawk D.J. Reed to a three-year deal before using the draft’s fourth overall pick on Sauce Gardner, who won Defensive Rookie of the Year and is already perhaps the NFL’s most impressive CB.

The Jets didn’t face the most challenging quarterback schedule last season, but they routinely stifled high-functioning offenses like the Bills, Lions, and Jaguars. After Week 3, New York’s defense only allowed one opponent — the Vikings in Week 13 — to score more than 23 points in a single game.

MORE: Who Is on the Jets’ Coaching Staff?

The unit’s first three weeks of the year — in which they gave up 81 combined points to the Ravens, Browns, and Bengals — stand out like a sore thumb. If we take out that rough start to the season, the Jets ranked first in pass defense DVOA and second in total defensive DVOA.

Pro Football Network’s Arif Hasan placed the Jets first in his 2023 NFL defense rankings. Can New York keep it up next season?

Defense Is Unpredictable, but the Jets Are a Good Bet in 2023

Defensive performance in the NFL is inherently volatile. Even when a team was outstanding the year prior and brings back nearly all its significant contributors (like the Jets), it’s worth wondering whether the unit’s output will be sustainable.

In 2019, FiveThirtyEight’s Josh Hersmeyer found that many defensive metrics — such as DVOA, sacks, and interceptions — often have little to no correlation year over year. Impactful plays like turnovers often turn out to be the least reliable.

MORE: New York Jets 2023 Schedule

However, the Jets’ defensive production wasn’t inherently luck-based in 2022. They didn’t create an absurd number of takeaways — they ranked 29th in the league in turnovers and 28th in turnover rate. And they ranked better in more stable metrics like quarterback knockdown rate (first) and pressure rate (third).

Moreover, New York’s defense should benefit from the addition of Rodgers and the prospect of an improved offense. Gang Green’s offense regularly put their counterparts in poor positions by failing to move the ball or manage extended drives. Last year, New York’s opponents’ average drive started at their own 29.9-yard line, tied for the second-worst mark in the NFL.

The Jets will bring back nine of 11 defensive starters next season, including edge rusher Carl Lawson — thought to be a cut candidate before agreeing to a pay cut — and linebacker Quincy Williams, who re-signed on a three-year deal. New York also enjoys continuity on the coaching staff, where Saleh will call plays for the third consecutive season while Jeff Ulbrich serves as defensive coordinator.

But the Jets didn’t rest on their laurels, often a fatal flaw of accomplished teams or units. Douglas drafted another edge rusher to add to his front, selecting Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV with the 15th overall pick. New York also replaced safety Lamarcus Joyner — arguably the weak link of the Jets’ 2022 defense — with trade acquisition Chuck Clark, who should represent an immediate upgrade.

While there are a lot of talented defenses in the NFL, the Jets have as good of a chance as any team at posting a top-three unit in 2023 — and there’s a decent chance they’ll emerge as the single-best defense in the league.

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NFL

What Time Is the NFL Game Tonight? Saints vs. Panthers Channel, Live Stream Options for Monday Night Football

Published

5 mins ago

September 18, 2023

darragh

Two divisional games are left to kick off in Week 2 on Monday night. The first features an NFC South shootout between the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football tonight.

The Saints scrapped out a win against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1 of the NFL season. Will their defense be able to take advantage of 2023 first-overall pick Bryce Young under center tonight? Here’s the Monday Night Football start time, TV channel, and live stream options.

What Time Does the First Monday Night Football Game Start?

The Saints and Panthers debut the first of three Monday Night Football doubleheaders broadcast by ESPN in 2023. New Orleans travels to Bank of America Stadium for a 7:15 p.m. ET kickoff with Carolina on ESPN and ESPN2.

New Orleans hopes to move to 2-0 on the season with a better offensive performance in Week 2. Here are the Monday Night Football start time, TV channels, and live stream options.

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

Start time
7:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN, ESPN2
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

The Panthers will hope that their top pick Young bounces back from a rough regular season debut. The rookie QB completed 20 of 38 passes for 146 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. While the sack numbers weren’t awful for the first game, the offense lacked flow, with four three-and-outs and three turnovers out of 12 drives.

While Carolina anxiously awaits to see what Young can do with the passing game, Week 2’s matchup might not be the matchup to ask that from him. The Saints’ defense corralled three interceptions from Ryan Tannehill in Week 1 and has allowed the lowest average passer rating since Week 12 in 2022 (63.0).

The Panthers could turn to the rushing attack after another successful outing to start 2023. While RB Miles Sanders fumbled once, he turned 18 carries into 72 yards against the Falcons in Week 1.

Third-yeard RB Chuba Hubbard earned another 60 yards on nine carries. With Raheem Blackshear on the roster as well, the Panthers could do some damage in the run game against the Saints.

MORE: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings

Panthers RBs averaged 2.0 yards after contact per carry since the start of the 2022 season, the third-best in the NFL. In that same span, the Saints defense has allowed 2.2 yards after contact per carry, the third-worst average in the NFL.

After getting depleted this offseason, will the Saints’ defense be able to slow down a dangerous Carolina rushing attack that can be the key to a Panthers upset?

2023 Monday Night Football Schedule

Monday Night Football features its first doubleheader of the season this week, with another set to go in Week 3. ESPN has three scheduled for the 2023 NFL season, part of its record-setting number of broadcasts for the NFL season.

Here’s a look at the rest of the Monday Night Football schedule for the 2023 season.

Week 3, Sept. 26

Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Start time
7:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ABC
Live stream options
ESPN+, Youtube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Los Angeles Rams at Cincinnati Bengals

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
Youtube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 4, Oct. 2

Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 5, Oct. 9

Green Bay Packers at Las Vegas Raiders

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 6, Oct. 16

Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Chargers

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 7, Oct. 23

San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 8, Oct. 30

Las Vegas Raiders at Detroit Lions

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 9, Nov. 6

Los Angeles Chargers at New York Jets

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 10, Nov. 13

Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 11, Nov. 20

Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 12, Nov. 27

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 13, Dec. 4

Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 14, Dec. 11

Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
Youtube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Green Bay Packers at New York Giants

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ABC
Live stream options
ESPN+, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 15, Dec. 18

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 16, Dec. 25

Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

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NFL

What We Know About the Miami Dolphins WR

Published

1 hour ago

September 18, 2023

darragh

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots after taking a blow to the back of the head late in regulation.

Waddle was on the ground, clearly shaken up, after taking an illegal hit to the head by linebacker Marte Mapu.

Waddle needed immediate medical attention and then went directly to the blue medical tent for further evaluation. Mapu was assessed a 15-yard penalty for the hit.

The Dolphins announced a short time later that Waddle is being evaluated for a concussion.

Injury Update | Jaylen Waddle is being evaluated pursuant to the concussion protocol.

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 18, 2023

Prior to the injury, Waddle had caught four passes for 86 yards.

Fantasy Fallout From Waddle’s Injury

Waddle left the game after a big hit on an incompletion late in the fourth quarter. It looked worse than it was, but the NFL is not taking any chances with possible concussions. If Waddle is indeed concussed, he will almost certainly miss next week’s game. Ever since the Tua situation last year, the NFL has been much stricter with concussions. There is a chance we never see a player return from a concussion in just one week ever again.

Without Waddle, Tagovailoa will likely lean on Tyreek Hill even more. The Dolphins lack a clear WR3, rotating Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft, and even Erik Ezukanma at times. It would not be recommended to pick any of them up. Hopefully, Waddle was just shaken up and ultimately gets cleared of a concussion, similar to what happened to Tyler Lockett in Week 1.

Analysis provided by PFN’s Fantasy Analyst Jason Katz

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Adam Beasley is Pro Football Network’s Director of Original Content and Brand Development. You can read all of Adam’s work here and follow him on Twitter: @AdamHBeasley.

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NFL

Dolphins Quarterback New Betting Favorite

Published

2 hours ago

September 18, 2023

darragh

Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has had a monster start to his 2023 NFL season. In his season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, Tua threw for 466 passing yards and three touchdowns in the Dolphins’ 36-34 win.

After his Week 1 performance, Tua’s NFL MVP betting odds moved from +2200 to +700 at DraftKings Sportsbook, making him the new co-favorite with Patrick Mahomes to win the award.

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Tua Tagovailoa NFL MVP Odds Update: New Betting Favorite

Tua started off Sunday Night Football against the New England Patriots right where he left off last week. In the first half, Tua completed 15 of 20 passes for 181 passing yards and a touchdown to Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins closed the first half with a 17-3 lead over their AFC East division rivals.

After his stellar first half against the Patriots, Tua now has the shortest NFL MVP odds at DraftKings Sportsbook at +600, making him the new betting favorite to win the award.

At DraftKings, Mahomes and Josh Allen are currently in a two-way tie behind Tua at +700, followed by Jalen Hurts (+850), Lamar Jackson (+1300), and Dak Prescott (+1500). Joe Burrow’s odds, meanwhile, have continued to take a free fall, dropping from +750 to +1700 through the first two weeks of the season.

This is just the first adjustment for Tua’s NFL MVP based on tonight’s action. As of writing this, there is still plenty of time left in the Week 2 contest.

MORE: NFL Week 3 Betting Lines

Tagovailoa could continue to have an excellent game and separate himself even further in the extremely early NFL MVP race, or the Patriots could come out of the second half with adjustments that slow him down, and his odds go backward.

Regardless, Tua has been the biggest riser in MVP odds since the start of the season, and as long as he stays healthy with Hill and Jaylen Waddle, he will remain one of the contenders to win the award.

Listen to the PFN Betting Podcast

Did you know that Pro Football Network has a betting podcast? Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Betting Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review!