The Jets come into Week 7 with a record that says they should have a chance, but the experts aren’t buying it. New York is 2-4 and set to host a Dolphins team that is still looking for its first win, yet Bleacher Report’s panel leaned heavily toward Miami in its game picks.
Seven analysts weighed in on the full NFL schedule - Gary Davenport, Brad Gagnon, Kris Knox, Moe Moton, Brent Sobleski, Wes O'Donnell, and Ian Hanford - and five of the seven sided with the Dolphins. Only Hanford and Sobleski backed the Jets, even with New York at home and Miami still winless.
That pick trend comes despite the fact that the Dolphins have shown more fight lately. Miami has lost by one score in each of its last three games against good teams, and the club is also coming out of its bye week.
For the Jets, the concern starts with the offense. New York has been stuck in a rough stretch, failing to reach 20 points in three straight games, and the production has not been steady enough to inspire confidence.
There’s also the Breece Hall situation hanging over the matchup. Hall has missed the last few games with an injury, and his absence has clearly affected what the Jets can do on offense. Braelon Allen has stepped in and filled the role well, but the attack hasn’t looked the same.
If Hall is able to return against Miami, that would give New York a real boost. If not, the Jets will have to keep leaning on Geno Smith to guide the offense.
Smith has had a solid season overall, but he’ll be tested by a Dolphins defense that has been feisty so far. He also has to keep the ball away from Miami after throwing his first interception of the season in last week’s loss to the Patriots.
In Other News...
Jets Still Have A Breece Hall Problem They Can't Solve
Breece Halls long wait back onto the field is likely to stretch at least another week, leaving the Jets to keep navigating without one of their most important offensive playmakers. Hall has missed the last three games with a quad strain, and he still has not been a full participant in practice, which has made his status for Week 7 difficult to read even as the team continues to monitor his progress closely.
For a Jets offense that has already had to adjust on the fly, the bigger concern is how long it may take before Hall is truly ready to go. The current signs point to a return in Week 8 as the more realistic target, giving New York another round of uncertainty in the backfield while it waits for clearer momentum from a player it badly needs back in the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Garrett Wilson Sideline Tension Revives A Bigger Jets Problem
After the Jets loss to the Dolphins, a sideline exchange between Garrett Wilson and Geno Smith drew attention because it reflected a familiar problem for a passing game that still struggles to find its rhythm. Wilsons frustration appeared to stem from how little he was involved, and the moment landed as part of a larger concern for a team trying to build consistency on offense.
Aaron Glenn addressed the issue after the game, acknowledging the team did not do enough to get Wilson involved. Later reports suggested Wilson and Smith talked it through in a calm way, with the receiver framing the irritation as part of the groups overall performance rather than a personal rift. Even so, the clip was a reminder that the Jets biggest questions on offense are still hovering just beneath the surface. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Finally Get Adonai Mitchell Back With One Strange Mystery Lingering
Adonai Mitchell is finally set to rejoin the Jets lineup Sunday against the Dolphins after missing four games with a finger injury suffered in practice. His return gives New York another needed option on offense and comes at a good time, with Omar Cooper Jr. also back from injury and the unit getting healthier at the same time.
Mitchell spoke with reporters this week but kept the details of the injury close to the vest, offering little beyond the fact that it sidelined him for a month. Even with the immediate concern now focused on getting him back on the field, there is still a small mystery hanging around how it all happened and what the next steps might have been. [Read more 🡒]