New York Jets vs Carolina Panthers Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 12: NFL Week 1

New York Jets vs Carolina Panthers Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 12: NFL Week 1

Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

 
Odds
Time 1:00 p.m. EST
Jets money line +170
Jets spread +4.5 (-111)
Panthers money line -200
Panthers spread -4.5 (-109)
Over / under 44

 

2020 season stats
  Jets Panthers
Record 2-14 5-11
Road / home record 1-7 2-6
Points per game 15.2 21.9
Points allowed per game 28.6 25.1
Pass yard per game 174.8 243.0
Rush yards per game 105.2 106.5
Total yards per game 299.9 364.6
Total yards allowed per game 399.2 372.5
Turnover ratio 0 1

 

Preview

This definitely has the potential to be a revenge game as the New York Jets take on the Carolina Panthers to kick off the season. These teams are not the same as we saw them last season as the New York Jets traded quarterback Sam Darnold to these Carolina Panthers. The Jets then drafted quarterback Zach Wilson with the second overall pick in the NFL Draft and look for him to lead this team.

Offensive matchup

Zach Wilson starts at QB for the Jets, with Sam Darnold traded to Carolina. His targets will be depleted as Jamison Crowder is dealing with COVID-19 and is expected to miss this game. However, the combination of rookie Elijah Moore, second-year receiver Denzel Mims, and signing Keelan Cole and Corey Davis should give Wilson enough weapons to have a solid game under center. Tevin Coleman and Lamical Perine are in the backfield as options, as well as rookie head coach Robert Saleh, have options. The offensive line was also bolstered during the offseason so protecting Wilson from unnecessary hits should be priority number one. 

Sam Darnold will be taking his first snaps under center for the Carolina Panthers. He has more weapons at his disposable than ever in his young NFL career as halfback Christian McCaffrey is in the backfield and can be a threat as a receiver as well after missing most of the 2020 season due to injury. They also have a connection with wide receiver Robby Anderson being here and he was Darnold's favorite target in his rookie season as members of the Jets. Carolina also has DJ Moore and rookie Terrace Marshall Jr out wide as well to try to help the offense get going. 

 

Defensive matchup

The Jets did not have a good defense in 2020 but seemed to improve as they get back linebacker CJ Mosely after he opted out of the 2020 season but also added defensive lineman Shaq Lawson after free agent signing Carl Lawson suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason. They tried to address their weak secondary but could continue to be exposed there but this defensive line of Lawson, Quinnen Williams, Folorunso Fatukasi, and John Franklin-Myers is the start of a strong unit that could stuff the rushing attack coming their way.

This Panthers defense is pretty much returning from last season but they were struggling to stop opposing running backs from having a field day on them as they allowed 4.7 yards per carry. This secondary was their strength defensively as they were tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the third-fewest yards per reception (10.1) last year and look to carry that into this matchup. They added rookie Jaycee Horn in the NFL Draft at cornerback so it will be interesting to see his progression throughout this season. 

Prediction

The New York Jets are not going to be as bad offensively as they were a year ago and they know everything there is to know about Sam Darnold after trading him away. The Jets are going to be built to not allow sacks and to get stops on the defensive side of the ball. It's going to take time to get Sam Darnold integrated into this offense and the Panthers aren't great at forcing turnovers or stopping the opposing quarterback. Ultimately, I think Carolina has a chance of going 0-1 to start the season but I like the hook for the Jets as a safety net. 

PICK: New York Jets +4.5 (-111)

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