NY Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons, Week 5 preview: On London time

New York Jets seek second-straight victory in London against the Atlanta Falcons

Folks, we’re officially on London time. Make sure to cool those eggs prior to 9 a.m. ET because the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons are set to kick off at 9:30 a.m. ET in Week 5.

After winning their first game in thrilling fashion, a 27-24 decision over the Tennessee Titans in overtime last Sunday, Robert Saleh’s squad seeks its second-straight victory.

There might not be a better opponent to get that done than the less-than-stellar 1-3 Atlanta Falcons.

NY Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons game info

• New York Jets (1-3)
• Atlanta Falcons (1-3)
• NFL, Week 5, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFLN
• Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England

 

That’s right, folks: Futbol will not be played on the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend. Instead, American Football will showcase its wonders overseas.

Jets fans—assuming they can all wake up on time—will now have a chance to watch a quadruple-header this Sunday. The Jets start the day at 9:30 a.m. ET, ultimately leading into the 1 p.m. ET games, of course followed by the late-afternoon slate and Sunday night matchup.

The Falcons’ overall talent level and current circumstances (more on that in the injury report below) provide the Jets a tremendous chance to fly west as a 2-3 squad.

NY Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons history

• Atlanta Falcons lead the series 7-5

In an AFC-NFC all-time series, meetings come at a premium. Squaring off just once every four years—and once every seven years between 1998 and 2005—the two teams just haven’t met up too often.

The Jets captured the first one, 28-20, back in 1973, but the Falcons won the last meeting and three of the last four.

Atlanta’s last win in the series (25-20 final) came back in 2017 against a gritty Jets team some pundits expected to win a game or two. Matt Ryan threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns, while now-Jet Tevin Coleman rushed for 82 yards on just 14 carries.

NY Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons odds (FanDuel Sportsbook)

• Spread: Jets +2.5 (-104), Falcons +2.5 (-118)
• Moneyline: Jets +122, Falcons -144
• Over/Under: 45.5 (O: -106, U: -114)

Technically, the Jets are the road team, which would usually yield three points on the line. The problem is that the Falcons, the home team, are playing in London.

The 2.5-point spread at a neutral site should be viewed as close to a pick ’em as possible. A New York victory would do serious damage to the oddsmakers’ future Jets lines, but a victory in New England in two weeks (after the bye) will really change things moving forward.

The best bet this week is on the over (+45.5), as both teams should score a decent number of points.

NY Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons injury report

Final injury report for NYJ-ATL, Week 5, London. #Jets pic.twitter.com/2H27roryj5

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) October 8, 2021

New York Jets

• Adrian Colbert, S (Concussion): Out
• Tyler Kroft, TE (Back): Out
• Marcus Maye, S (Ankle): Out
• Jeff Smith, WR (Concussion): Out
• Brandin Echols, CB (Concussion): Questionable
• Nathan Shepherd, IDL (Knee): Questionable

All things considered, the Jets aren’t in that bad of a spot entering Week 5. Losing Adrian Colbert stings a bit, as enough safeties are hurt, but the Falcons’ weapons aren’t exactly hitting on all cylinders at the moment.

Marcus Maye’s current situation is obvious—in addition to his ankle injury. Whether or not Brandin Echols plays is the big question mark at the moment. (Expect him to play, along with veteran Nathan Shepherd.)

Robert Saleh confirmed that Elijah Moore was ready to practice at the beginning of the week, and all signs point to him suiting up after missing a game via a head injury.

Atlanta Falcons

• Marlon Davidson, DL (Ankle): Out
• Russell Gage, DL (Ankle): Out
• Calvin Ridley, WR (Personal): Out
• Erik Harris, WR (Calf): Doubtful
• Avery Williams, CB (Hamstring): Doubtful

On Thursday, the news that Calvin Ridley would miss the game came as a shocker (personal reasons not yet known). With Russell Gage already set to miss the contest, Matt Ryan is now down in his depth at the position.

Elsewhere, defensive lineman Marlon Davidson is out, while receiver Erik Harris and cornerback Avery Williams are doubtful.

NY Jets’ keys to victory

Let Zach cook

It’s not a secret how poorly Atlanta’s pass defense has played this season. Yielding 264 yards through the air per game, the Falcons rank 21 in pass defense.

The team’s -12.5-point differential is the NFL’s worst, and their defensive backs have given up eight touchdowns, the second most of any secondary in the league.

Top it off with the fact that Atlanta’s 32 points relented per game tops the list, and this game is perfect in allowing Zach Wilson to build confidence following his breakout game against Tennessee.

Find Cordarelle Patterson

Cordarrelle Patterson is the Falcons offense at the moment. He’s currently the No. 2-ranked running back in standard (0.5 point PPR) fantasy football leagues, as it’s become clear Arthur Smith loves to utilize the versatile weapon.

Without Ridley and Gage, Atlanta will already be handicapped. Sure, Kyle Pitts will need to be kept in check, but rookie tight ends always endure an NFL learning curve—something the Florida product is currently experiencing.

Jeff Ulbrich’s unit must key in on Patterson and reach appropriately.

NY Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons prediction

• New York Jets 34, Atlanta Falcons 23

Hey, if Zach Wilson and the New York Jets offense can’t build upon their solid Week 4 effort this week, there isn’t a week that’ll offer up such optimal conditions.

Expect Wilson to make a mistake or two while also carving up this horrendous Falcons cornerback group. Defensively, the Jets should continue to roll—especially without Calvin Ridley on the field.

At 2-3 after five games, things could get interesting in a hurry for the New York Jets.