New York Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons : Falcons looking to pick up second win

The Falcons head across the pond looking to pick up their second win of the season.

NFL London: 4 bold predictions for Jets vs. Falcons

Momentum is on the Jets’ side as New York travels to London to face the Falcons in Week 5.

The team is coming off its best game of the season – and its first win – and should have plenty of confidence playing against a Falcons team that just lost a brutal shootout in Week 4. Atlanta will also be without some key players in this matchup – losses that favor the Jets tremendously. If New York can build off its solid performance on offense and defense a week ago, the Jets could be looking at a little winning streak heading into the bye week.

Here are four bold predictions for the Jets’ bout with the Falcons.

Zach Wilson breaks 300 passing yards

Zach Wilson will face one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL. The Falcosn haven’t even registered an interception yet. Even better, the Jets should have all their top pass-catching options available this week with Elijah Moore back from his concussion. Wilson nearly broke the 300-yard threshold in his Week 4 overtime win and should have a much easier time hitting that mark against the Falcons.

Jets hold Falcons to fewer than 250 yards

Atlanta averages the ninth-fewest offensive yards per game and will face its toughest defensive opponent this season. The Jets rank 14th in total yards allowed – and a lot of that’s come on the ground. Without Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage, the Falcons will have a depleted offense that could sputter against a stout Jets group. Gang Green needs to avoid explosive plays and keep the Falcons offense from building momentum.

New York Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons FREE LIVE STREAM : Watch NFL in London online | Time, TV, channel

The New York Jets (1-3), led by rookie quarterback Zach Wilson, face the Atlanta Falcons (1-3), led by quarterback Matt Ryan, in Week 5 of the NFL regular season on Sunday, October 10, 2021 (10/10/21) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.

Fans can watch the game for free via a trial of fuboTV.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: NFL, Week 5

Who: Tennessee Titans vs. New York Jets

When: Sunday, October 10, 2021

Where: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Time: 9:30 a.m. ET

TV: NFL Network

Channel finder: Verizon Fios, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish, Hulu, fuboTV, Sling.

Zach Wilson knew he could have done better. And he knows his first NFL victory should have come a lot easier.

Sure, he was happy after the New York Jets’ 27-24 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. But the rookie quarterback spent a good chunk of the postgame celebration focused on his mistakes.

“The kid was outstanding,” coach Robert Saleh said shortly after the win. “There are still things that he knows he can clean up. He had a chance to end it in overtime, but the guy was resilient. He had resolve and he’s a playmaker.”

Wilson drove the Jets deep into Tennessee territory in overtime and had a good feeling.

“We did the hardest thing,” Wilson said. “Getting the ball down to the 1-yard line is the hardest part. We did an awesome job as an offense doing that and I told the guys in the huddle when we were on the 5-, 6-yard line: ‘A field goal is not an option here.’”

Except, it became the only option.

On first-and-goal from the 9, Wilson bounced a throw to Ryan Griffin, who probably would’ve had a clear path into the end zone if the ball had reached him.

“I’ve got to be able to come through, make a good throw,” Wilson said. “We called the right play, I threw a ball at (Griffin’s) feet. I’m going to learn from that. It’s awesome we came away with a win because I was beating myself up for that.”

Week 5 Preview: Falcons vs. Jets

The Falcons head across the pond looking to pick up their second win of the season.

They were about a half a quarter away from picking up their most impressive win of the season last week against Washington. Yet missed opportunities and questionable play calling led to the Atlanta Falcons to fall to 1-3 on the season and a 34-30 defeat.

Now, the Falcons have to shake off that disappointing outing and head overseas to try and pick up another win. Here is the week five preview for the Falcons as they take on the New York Jets in London, England today.

Game: Falcons vs. Jets

Location: London, England

Time and television: Oct. 10th, 9:30 am. EST, NFL Network

Key in-game matchup: Falcons 3rd down offense vs. Jets 3rd down defense

This week, we decide to dive a little deeper with this matchup and include a vital factor that is sure to dictate plenty in this game. By this point in the season, the Jets will statistically be the best third down defense the Falcons will have seen. They currently rank third in the NFL in third down defense. Over the course of the season, the Jets have held their opponents to 29% (Carolina), 25% (New England), 36% (Denver), and 26% (Tennessee) respectively in terms of third down conversions.

The Falcons are currently 14th in the NFL in third down offense and coming off their best performance of the season at a 62.5% conversion rate. With the offense down both Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage at receiver and a run game that has yet to find any level of reliability, the current offensive group will have to find ways to string along drives against one of the best units in the NFL in that category.

One key player to watch: RB Mike Davis

It’s time. Davis was brought in this offseason to be the lead back in the run game for the Falcons and so far on the season, he has rushed for 151 total yards. In week four, Davis was able to produce only 14 rushing yards on 13 carries. The lack of run game is not all on Davis as the offensive line is still gradually meshing as the weeks go by and hasn’t always given him room to work with.

How can the Falcons win: Dig a little deep

So far, literally everything is steadily stacking up against the Falcons in this one. No Ridley, Gage, a pair of key defensive backs are likely non-participants due to injuries, not to mention the team is making a tough voyage to a total different country coming off of a fourth quarter collapse at home to Washington last week.

On the surface, it does not appear that things are not in their favor to pull out a victory. If they do, it will likely be an ugly one, one of those wins where the box score is hard to look at and you will probably want to forget this game was played. From a mental standpoint, I am concerned about this team because in recent seasons, games like this one have proven to be stages of grief for the Falcons. If they are to win this week, they will have to muster up the right amount of energy and effort. It’s not an impossible task, but given the factors working against them, it may be one that is more complex than it seems.