Jets second-half predictions: Rodgers’ record chase, trade deadline, playoff hopes

The New York Jets half of the season has passed. The first half was frustrating, dysfunctional and tumultuous — and that’s being generous — but the team went into the 10-day break enjoying good spirits for the first time since September after impressive win over the Houston Texansa likely playoff team.

another angle of THAT @GarrettWilson_V TD catch #HOUvsNYJ on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/QsUjlUL1By

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 1, 2024

But unless the Jets go on a great run to end the season, it will be too little, too late. Will they be able to do it? Will they make any more moves before the trade deadline? What other surprises await?

Here are eight predictions for the second half of the Jets season:

The Jets will have a quiet trade deadline

Things could have looked different if the Jets had lost Texans on Thursday night, which would kill any hope they could have of turning the season around, forcing them into seller mode at the trade deadline. Teams have already called about the cornerback DJ Reed and he’d probably get the deal — he’s in the final year of his contract and is about to test free agency. Other players going to hit in free agency who could have been trade candidates: Defense Hasson Reddickhard end Tyler Conklinleft tackle Tyrone Smith and cornerback Brandyn Echols.

Wide receiver Mike Williams also much less likely to be considered now Allen Lazard (chest) went on injured reserve and will miss four weeks, though I wouldn’t rule it out completely. Williams played 77 snaps in the last two weeks with Lazard out. He has one catch (on two targets) for six yards.

Williams and Rodgers don’t have chemistry, and Williams has often looked lost this season. In Week 8, the Jets had to burn a timeout because Williams didn’t know where to line up. In Week 9, Conklin’s pass failed because Williams didn’t know who to block.

On the one hand, if he’s doing more harm than good, trading Williams makes sense. On the other hand, the talent is still there if he can learn the offense, and at this point the Jets have no other real options to replace Lazard. Not to mention they probably won’t get much for Williams in return (Dionte Johnson netted the Panthers a late-round pick tradeand Williams may get less than that).

“With more opportunities, I think he’s going to be a bigger part of this offense,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said.

If the Jets were going to add any players at the deadline, it would likely be in the form of interior defensive linemen or offensive linemen, though that’s unlikely for a 3-6 team.

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Aaron Rogers just short of the franchise passing yards and TD records

The Jets haven’t thrown 10 touchdown passes in a season since Sam Darnold there were 19 in 2019. Rodgers threw his 10th in Week 5. They haven’t had a single 20 TD rusher since Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2015.

Suffice it to say, the Jets don’t have a rich recent history at quarterback. But Rodgers already has 15 touchdown passes and is on pace for 3,980 yards, 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions — a career low, but for the Jets, this would be one of the best seasons for any quarterback. in team history.

If Rodgers stays healthy and completes all 17 games, he will approach Joe Namath’s (4,007 yards in 1967, the only 4,000-yard season in franchise history) and Fitzpatrick’s (31 in 2015; second: Vinny Testaverde’s 29 yards in 1998) .

Can Rodgers get over the hump? I’m skeptical, though the Jets do face some of the league’s lesser defenses: Cardinals, Colts and Jaguars place in the bottom half of the league. If at some point Rodgers can put together his first 300-yard game since 2021, maybe he will.

Garrett Wilson would set Jets single-season records in two categories

Wilson has been on a tear lately, showing Thursday night landing with one hand that people will remember for a long time.

“Oh my gosh, (it was) one of the historic games in all of football and to see it live is so special,” Ulbrich said. “I’m really happy for Garrett because this is just another part of his evolution and growth as a player.”

Over the past five games, Wilson has amassed 40 catches on 60 targets for 472 yards and four touchdowns. His season numbers are 60 catches on 94 targets for 663 yards and five touchdowns. That gives him 113 catches on 178 targets for 1,252 yards and nine touchdowns.

Wilson is on track to challenge Brandon Marshall’s all-time streak in 2015 (109 receptions on 173 targets for 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns). Total yards and touchdowns seem like difficult tasks, especially since Rodgers and Davante Adams get into a groove. But at his current pace, Wilson should hit both targets and receptions, assuming he plays all 17 games.

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Garrett Wilson’s amazing catch could have saved the Jets’ season.

Will McDonald will become the third Jet to record 13 or more sacks in a season

The 2023 first-round pick has been a star for the Jets this season, a surprising development after barely playing as a rookie. The plan wasn’t to play him that much, but that changed Jermaine Johnson tore his Achilles, and Reddick sat out the first half of the season. McDonald already has eight sacks in nine games and was 11th among all pass rushers (minimum 100 pass rushes) in pressure rate going into Sunday.

McDonald’s goes for 15 sacks. I think he at least gets to 13, especially now that he should get more one-on-ones with Reddick coming back into the lineup. The Cardinals and Colts, the Jets’ next two opponents, both rank highly in pass blocking, but after that, things get smaller: Sea hawks (25th, according to PFF), Dolphins (17), Jaguars (19) and Rams (32nd).

The only other Jets with 13 sacks in a season are Mark Gastineau (three times) and John Abraham, who had 13 in 2001.

Three Jets will make the Pro Bowl

The Jets had three Pro Bowlers last year (Gardner sauce, Quinnen WilliamsJohnson) and four in 2022 (Gardner, Williams, CJ Mosley and special teams member Justin Hardy).

I think they will get three pro bowlers again: MacDonald, Wilson and Williams. I almost predicted Reed – he was one of the best corners in the tournament NFL and deservedly so, but it’s tough for cornerbacks to go without any interceptions, especially since Reed doesn’t have Gardner’s name.

Gardner, midfielder Quincy Williamsruns back Brice Hall and the player Thomas Morstead are also candidates.

If MacDonald gets 13 sacks (like I predicted), he’ll definitely be in. Wilson is on pace to finish among the league leaders in every important receiving category. And Williams looks like the 2022 version of himself again: 5.5 sacks, 13 QB hits and 32 total pressures.

Olu Fashan will start a few more games—maybe even in multiple locations

Prior to his first NFL season, Fashanu only played left tackle. He got some practice at tackle during the pre-draft and got plenty of reps during training camp, which allowed him to replace Morgan Moses in the 4th and 5th weeks. But he never played guard in his life, not even in training. By Thursday evening.

The Jets lost their left guard John Simpson and the right guard Jake Henson to injuries (start Alia Vera-Tucker already out). Yes tackle Max Mitchell connects on the left, and Fashanu – with the help of the center Joe Tipmannwho directed him what to do play-by-play — to the right. He had a free kick and allowed two pressures, but mostly held his own in a tough situation.

“Awesome is the only word I can come up with,” Ulbrich said. “To go in there and perform the way he did, it’s incredible.”

Vera-Tucker has missed two games and it is not yet known how long he, Henson and/or Simpson will be out with injuries. If all three miss Week 10, Fashan will likely have to start at guard. With one or two of them out, Fashan may have to play if another injury occurs.

There’s also another possible (if unlikely) scenario: Tyron Smith, who hasn’t played a full season since 2015, has to miss games at some point.

On Thursday night, Corley made the fatal mistake of releasing the ball before crossing the goal line, fumbling it through the back of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. Fortunately, that didn’t happen to the Jets in the game against Houston.

TD @CorleyMalachi!!#HOUvsNYJ on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/PSt7uVeRru

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 1, 2024

After the game, Ulbrich said he told the third-round pick, “First of all, you can’t do that. Secondly, you owe us.”

It was an impressive run if it weren’t for the ridiculous finish. But I think Corley will make up for it at some point before the end of the season.

The Jets finish 8-9

Eight wins would see the Jets finish the season at 6-3. Ultimately, I think they dug themselves too deep a hole to turn it all around and make the playoffs. Fans (understandably) wouldn’t be happy if they didn’t make the postseason for the 14th straight year, but this finish power will be enough to convince owner Woody Johnson to bring him back with Rodgers, Adams and Ulbrich in 2025. Another question is whether it will be the right decision.

(Top photo: Brad Penner/Imagn Images)