Jets vs. Falcons Preseason Prediction
Sam Darnold and the new-look Jets head to Atlanta on Thursday night to take on the Falcons at 7:30 p.m. ET. Are the Jets a good play as an underdog against the Falcons in this exhibition matchup?
Game Snapshot
403 New York Jets at 404 Atlanta Falcons
7:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, August 15, 2019
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Public Betting Trends
The Falcons are 2-point home favorites versus the Jets while the over/under currently sits at 43.5 points. According to our NFL Football Public Betting Chart page, the Jets are receiving 58% of the betting tickets from online sportsbooks.
New York Jets Fantasy Spin
The Athletic’s Connor Hughes believes Robby Anderson will “certainly be used as more than a one-trick pass-catcher this season.” Anderson was infrequently used underneath in 2018 — he only had one target behind the line of scrimmage last year — but the Jets have incorporated more short-area routes for their No. 1 receiver this offseason. Anderson getting a couple more easy receptions on screens and slants would make him more consistent week to week. The contract-year receiver is a WR3 target in fantasy drafts with Sam Darnold entering his second NFL season. The duo had chemistry late last season when they connected for a 23-336-3 receiving line over the last four games.
Atlanta Falcons Fantasy Spin
Falcons coach Dan Quinn said Calvin Ridley (hamstring) has looked fully healthy since returning to practice. “We did a good job to make sure that he was fully himself, with his strength, his quickness and his explosion,” Quinn said. “It was great to have his energy back out there.” Ridley missed two weeks of training camp, but he’s back to 100 percent. The Falcons should get Ridley some snaps in their second preseason game.
NFL Betting Trends
New York
The Jets are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven road games.
Atlanta
The Falcons have failed to cover the spread in five of their last seven home games.
Prediction
After winning three out of four preseason games in 2016, the Falcons have gone winless in 10 straight exhibition games dating back to 2017. They’re 0-2 this year, losing 14-10 to the Broncos in the Hall of Fame Game despite leading Denver 10-7 at the two-minute warning. Last week, Atlanta was tied with Miami 27-27 with five minutes remaining in the game and lost, 34-27. The Falcons are a veteran team that is focused on the regular season and keeping their key players healthy…not winning preseason games. I’m going to ride this wave and fade the Falcons again tonight.
NFL Week 2 Preseason Prediction: New York Jets +2