The New York Jets will face the Minnesota Vikings in their upcoming Week 5 matchup.
Even with it being a a cross-conference clash, it will still be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.
Here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Jets (2-2) against the Vikings (4-0) matchup:
CB Sauce Gardner vs. WR Justin Jefferson
This one needs little introduction.
Gardner is considered among the NFL’s best at his position. The same can be said for Jefferson.
It’s a battle of heavyweights here which will be fun to watch.
OL Olu Fashanu vs. ED Pat Jones II
The Jets offensive line, as a whole, must play better than they did last week. New York’s first-round rookie in Olu Fashanu did not play well in his first start. Pro Football Focus dropped his overall grade for the season all the way down to 45.3 after that outing, which is the third-worst of any tackle in the NFL.
Fashanu will see plenty of edge defender Pat Jones II. The Vikings defender has five sacks.
LB Jamien Sherwood vs. QB Sam Darnold
As is always the case, it’s a full-defensive effort to stop an opposing quarterback. However, CJ Mosley (toe) is unlikely to play again meaning Sherwood will be in position to be the “quarterback” of the Jets defense once again. He needs to make sure that the Jets defense is in position to stop Darnold throughout the day. Mosley would have had a bit of a leg up on Sherwood, potentially. He was one of Darnold’s former teammates in New York.
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