They say New York is the city that never sleeps. It’s true, except that the two clubs that represent the megalopolis within the NFL are in such a deep sleep that they put the reputation of the place to shame.
The Jets are mired in such mediocrity that the Big Apple could be renamed the Big Pear in their honor. The Giants are doing a little better, and at least they’ve got a few players that are showing signs of better days, but they’ve been in a vegetative state for too long.
The two teams in distress face each other tomorrow in a duel that will arouse no more passions in New York than an evening of bingo.
Unprofitable changes
The Jets haven’t made the playoffs since 2010 and have won just 15 of their last 56 games. But this season, hopes were high with a second-year quarterback in Sam Darnold showing some promising signs. Adam Gase was hired as the new head coach and he was to be the offensive guru who would take his young student to the next level.
Joe Douglas has been hired as the new general manager. The Jets even broke their piggy bank to pay forward Le’Veon Bell, who after striking for a year in Pittsburgh is no longer a shadow of himself behind a ridiculous offensive line.
Since their stunning victory over the Cowboys, the Jets have been downgraded by 88-33 in scoring and the offense has been the victim of 10 turnovers, including several absolutely horrific interceptions from Darnold.
What about the draft?
The most jovial members of the optimistic club of the Jets will say that this season to forget will allow better recovery in the draft. Is that so ? They should be reminded that from 2010 to 2017, they had nine first-round picks, most of the time well placed. Only one remains on board, marauder Jamal Adams, who would have more fun these days with the Winnipeg Jets than the New York Jets.
Unless a drastic change is made, Adam Gase will only pass. His reputation as an offensive genius is rather unsettling, considering that since 2014, when Peyton Manning was his quarterback in Denver, he’s never led an offense that broke the top 20 in terms of runs scored and yards gained.
The most recent loss to the Dolphins plunges the organization into unnamed embarrassment, to an abysmal depth rarely reached. GM Douglas will preside over his first draft in April, and he had better aim well.
The Giants snatch
The Giants can at least claim to have won the Super Bowl in 2011, but this is their latest achievement. Failures have followed one after another, but at least young players like quarterback Daniel Jones, running back Saquon Barkley, receiver Darius Slay and tight end Evan Engram promise an interesting core on offense.
Defensively, the Giants are trying to rebuild the inside of their defensive front with players like Dexter Lawrence and newcomer Leonard Williams, ironically.
Moreover, this transaction was the first in history between the two New York clubs. Like what one does not even fear that the other takes the market by storm.
WEEK10
*Thursday*
LA Chargers in Oakland
My choice: CHARGERS
*Sunday*
Baltimore to Cincinnati (1 p.m.)
My choice: RAVENS
Buffalo à Cleveland (13 h)
My choice: BROWNS
Detroit to Chicago (1 p.m.)
My choice: BEARS
NY Giants à NY Jets (13 h)
My choice: GIANTS
Kansas City au Tennessee (13 h)
My choice: CHIEFS
Arizona to Tampa Bay (13 h)
My choice: BUCCANEERS
Atlanta to New Orleans (1 p.m.)
My choice: SAINTS
Miami to Indianapolis (4:05 p.m.)
My choice: COLTS
LA Rams in Pittsburgh (4:25 p.m.)
My choice: RAMS
Caroline at Green Bay (4:25 p.m.)
My choice: PACKERS
Minnesota to Dallas (8:20 p.m.)
My choice: COWBOYS
*On Monday*
Seattle à San Francisco (20 h 15)
My choice: 49ERS
*Results*
Last week 8 in 14 (57.1%)
Total this season 79 in 135 (58.5%)
* Teams on leave *
Patriots, Texans, Jaguars, Broncos, Eagles, Redskins
THE CHOICES OF THE JOURNAL
Ravens de Baltimore (6-2) vs Bengals de Cincinnati (0-8)
A LITTLE NEW
The Bengals chose to send Andy Dalton off to dry off the bench to give the ball to rookie quarterback Ryan Finley. The latter excelled in preparatory games, but is about to discover a whole new world against the Ravens in full swing. The Bengals are unable to run or stop the run, a fatal combination against a club like the Ravens. Finley enjoys a nice audition by the end of the season, but the first act promises to be cruel. Baltimore by 14
Bills de Buffalo (6-2) vs Browns de Cleveland (2-6)
RETURN OF KAREEM HUNT
The deposed Chiefs’ and contracted by the Browns forward Kareem Hunt has served his eight-game suspension. Head coach Freddie Kitchens has promised Hunt an interesting role, but current starter Nick Chubb is one of the few in the squad who plays with heart. A two-headed monster is possible against the Bills, who despite a solid defense, are 19e against the race. In fact, in their last three games, they have conceded 151.3 rushing yards on average. Cleveland par 4
Lions de Detroit (3-4-1) vs Bears de Chicago (3-5)
DUEL OF THE LAST CHANCE
As much for the Lions as for the Bears, it will be necessary to focus on 2020 in the event of defeat. How is it still possible to believe in the Bears this season despite their offensive offense? Because right now with the Lions, the defense seems to be in the middle of an option year and has chosen not to honor the contract. They indeed occupy the 31e rank and if there is one match where Mitchell Trubisky can at least temporarily regain his dignity, this is it. We believe in it, but so little … Chicago par 3
Giants de New York (2-7) vs Jets de New York (1-7)
BARKLEY’S AWAKENING
This entirely New York duel presents no other stake than pride. On the one hand, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has dropped the ball seven times in his last three games in addition to being crushed 16 times in sacks. On the other side, Sam Darnold threw at least one interception in four straight games. What’s likely to get Jones out of trouble is that his rivals of tomorrow have allowed 53 receptions and 417 yards to opposing carriers this season. He will therefore rely repeatedly on Saquon Barkley. NY Giants par 3
Chiefs de Kansas City (6-3) vs Titans du Tennessee (4-5)
REVOILÀ MAHOMES!
It’s time for Patrick Mahomes’ big comeback with the Chiefs. The star quarterback will have to be wary as the Titans are effective against the pass and earn the NFL’s most unpredictable team title. Every year they beat teams they weren’t supposed to beat. Bottom line, however, Mahomes has too many toys at his disposal and apart from if Titans carrier Derrick Henry is having a monster game, it’s hard to envision a Chiefs misstep. Kansas City par 6
Cardinals de l’Arizona (3-5-1) vs Buccaneers de Tampa Bay (2-6)
ARTIFICES IN SIGHT
Both attacks are capable of producing and both defenses are vulnerable, which could make for an entertaining, high-scoring duel. Kyler Murray had his best moments in command of the Cards attack against the 49ers and can therefore hope for even better against the Bucs. However, her defense could sink the ship, she who is 29th against the pass and 30th for the percentage of completed passes against her. Jameis Winston should therefore not sink too deep into turnovers. Tampa Bay par 1
Atlanta Falcons (1-7) vs New Orleans Saints (7-1)
THE END FOR DAN QUINN?
If the Falcons get demolished by the Saints, will that be the end signal for head coach Dan Quinn? It’s possible. The Falcons’ aerial play remains dangerous, but the Saints have not allowed more than 235 passing yards in five straight games. Their cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who will cover Julio Jones, hasn’t given a touchdown since Week 2. In two games against Atlanta last year, Drew Brees threw seven touchdowns. New Orleans by 17
Dolphins de Miami (1-7) vs Colts d’Indianapolis (5-3)
BACK TO NORMAL
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett, injured last week, is expected to return to action for the Colts. His offensive line will have to protect him well, she who conceded nine sacks in the last two games, compared to just seven in the first six games. The Colts will be looking to simplify things anyway by attacking with Marlon Mack against a defense that has conceded more than 140 rushing yards four times this fall. Indianapolis par 10
Rams de Los Angeles (5-3) vs Steelers de Pittsburgh (4-4)
A SIGNIFICANT SHOCK
The Steelers are back in the race with a strong streak. The Rams in the national conference cannot afford any missteps. The Steelers rebounded on an opportunistic defense that generated 22 turnovers (second in the league) and 29 sacks (fifth). Offensively, however, Mason Rudolph too often falls back on his nearby targets. And by the race, with James Conner visibly absent, it is difficult against the Rams. Los Angeles par 3
Panthers de la Caroline (5-3) vs Packers de Green Bay (7-2)
THE PRESSURE ON KYLE ALLEN
Now that Cam Newton’s season is over and Kyle Allen is battling to be the Panthers’ long-term go-to man, the pressure is growing on his shoulders. He is no longer the backup quarterback from whom nothing was expected, but the man for the job. The Packers have been deranged this season when they’ve been shuffled to the ground and the Panthers are banking on Christian McCaffrey to do just that. But Aaron Rodgers will pull bunnies out of his hat. Green Bay par 6
Vikings du Minnesota (6-3) vs Cowboys de Dallas (5-3)
LOSING COMBINATION
Take Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, put him in a prime-time game. Add an opponent with a winning record. The potential for victory is greatly diminished. Conversely, his opposite Dak Prescott already claims 14 victories in prime time, the highest total in the league since 2016. He is also 4-0 against Cousins and his record stands at 6-1 against defensive top 5 career defenders with an efficiency coefficient (rating) of 105.9. Dallas par 8
Seahawks de Seattle (7-2) vs 49ers de San Francisco (8-0)
A DREAM MONDAY
Who says Mondays are boring? The rivalry between the Seahawks and the 49ers is revived after a few less exciting years. The Niners have everything to attack in a variety of ways, especially since the beneficial addition of a productive receiver in Emmanuel Sanders. In the Seahawks, the magic happens, but more by a thread, which bears the name of Russell Wilson, Without his miracles and his disarming calm in the fourth quarter, the Seahawks would not have the same face. Two certainties: it will be tight and we will stay up late … San Francisco par 3
–
