In the midst of a three-game losing streak, the Indianapolis Colts will travel to New York in Week 11 to take on the Jets.
Despite having a record of 4-6 on the year, the Colts still do find themselves in the AFC playoff mix, only one game out of a playoff spot. They can thank Denver, Cincinnati, and these Jets for continuing to lose, which is helping to keep Indianapolis in the hunt.
However, as I’m sure you can imagine, a loss this will week will just about crater any hope that may remain.
While the defense is holding its own against some very good offenses, the Indianapolis offense, specifically the passing game, continues to flounder. Can the Colts get back on track against a 3-7 Jets team?
Here’s a closer look at New York heading into Week 11:
Last week (Loss, 6-31 vs Arizona)
After a Thursday night win in Week 9 over the Houston Texans, the Jets were unable to build upon that momentum this past Sunday in Arizona.
Overall, it was a disjointed performance on both sides of the ball for the Jets. Cardinals’ quarterback Kyler Murray put together an incredibly efficient performance, completing 22-of-24 passes at 11.1 yards per attempt with a touchdown and no interceptions.
The New York offense, meanwhile, averaged measly 3.8 yards per play, becoming one-dimensional very quickly after the Cardinals grabbed an early multi-score lead. For some context, through 10 weeks, the Browns rank last in that category with 4.2 yards per play on the year.
Quarterback play
This has not been the version of Aaron Rodgers that we have grown accustomed to seeing over the last 15 years. On the year, he’s completed 62.4 percent of his throws at 6.4 yards per attempt with 15 touchdowns to seven interceptions.
Out of 41 eligible quarterbacks, Rodgers ranks 30th in completion rate, is tied for 28th in yards per pass attempt and is tied for 10th in interceptions.
Coming off an Achilles injury and nearing 40 years old, Rodgers’ mobility and ability to extend plays and go off-script, which made him so difficult to go up against, has been limited this season.
As already mentioned, the Jets offense and the passing game as a whole can be static and oftentimes just looks out of sync.
Line of scrimmage
Not helping things on the offensive side of the ball for the Jets is the inconsistent offensive line play. While they rank 12th in pressure rate, helping them out is the fact that Rodgers ranks second in average time to throw this season–getting the ball out quickly. By ESPN’s pass-block win rate metric, the Jets rank 21st in pass protection and 27th in run-blocking, with the New York backs averaging just 4.0 yards per rush.
On the other side of the ball, the Jets have held their own against the run with Quinnen Williams in the middle of that front, but have been up-and-down when it comes to getting after the quarterback, ranking ninth in pressure rate on opposing quarterbacks but 23rd in win rate.
Turnovers
The Jets will enter Week 11 at minus-four in turnover differential. As I’m sure you can gather from the minus-four figure, the defense hasn’t generated many takeaways, with only seven on the season, the fourth-fewest in football. Overall, the offense has done a decent job taking care of the ball, with their 11 giveaways being the 10th fewest.
Injury situation
In last week’s game against the Cardinals, linebacker CJ Mosley (neck) and offensive lineman Jake Hanson (hamstring) did not play after not practicing during the week. Also sidelined was defensive tackle Solomon Thomas.
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich also announced on Wednesday morning that Davante Adams would not be practicing that day as he works through an illness and some wrist soreness.
Players to know
WR Garrett Wilson: Through 10 games, Wilson already has 98 targets this season. He’s caught 66 percent of those passes for 704 yards and five touchdowns.
WR Davante Adams: A favorite target of Rodgers’ over the years, since joining the Jets, Adams has 38 targets in only four games, totaling 206 yards and a score.
RB Breece Hall: The Jets’ lead back, Hall is averaging 4.1 yards per rush 136 rush attempts this season and is also utilized often in the passing game.
DT Quinnen Williams: A force in the middle of the Jets’ defense, Williams is a disruptor, totaling 34 pressures–the fifth-most among defensive tackles–and his presence helps open up opportunities for others with the attention he draws.
CB Sauce Gardner: On the year, Gardner has a completion rate when targeted of 59 percent, forcing four pass breakups.
DE Will McDonald: Among all Jets defenders, McDonald leads the team in pressures with 38 and also holds the team lead in sacks with eight, according to PFF.
CB DJ Reed: On 37 targets, Reed has allowed just 20 completions, holding pass catchers to 12.3 yards per catch. he also leads the team in pass breakups with six.