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Heading into Thursday night, the spread on the Jets Broncos game still had New York at -6.5. This line originally opened at -4.5. Bet this game here online and receive up to $250 in cash.
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Jets -6.5 & 40
Opening Line & Total: NYJ -4.5 & 41.5
The Jets know they must quickly forget Sunday night’s 37-16 crushing defeat to New England, as they have a short week to get ready for a Denver team on the rise.
The Jets have been complaining about this game for weeks, as they play a Thursday night game two time zones away after a Sunday night home game. They also have to prepare for a unique Broncos offense featuring Tim Tebow and a lot of zone option read plays, something most defenders haven’t seen since college. Tebow hasn’t been great, but he has made some huge plays in leading his team to three wins in four starts. Although RB Knowshon Moreno (torn ACL) is out and RB Willis McGahee (hamstring) is questionable, the Broncos still have enough depth at running back to move the football against New York’s mediocre run-stop unit (116 YPG, 15th in NFL). The Broncos are 7-3-1 ATS versus the Jets since 1992 and are eager to avenge last year’s home loss to New York when a questionable pass interference call on fourth down with under two minutes left sustained the Jets’ eventual game-winning drive.
In last year’s 24-20 win in Denver, LaDainian Tomlinson scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns, helping the Jets overcome three turnovers on offense. For his career, Tomlinson has averaged 103 total YPG with 22 TD in 19 career games versus Denver. Mark Sanchez threw 2 INT in the win over the Broncos, and also threw a pair of picks in last week’s loss to New England. Expect New York to run the football more on Sunday, as its rushing offense has been much better lately. The Jets have averaged 133 YPG on 4.2 yards per carry in the past three games after just 81 YPG on 3.3 YPC in the first six games of the year. The Broncos are an average run defense (118 YPG, 16th in NFL), but could be missing leading tackler LB Wesley Woodyard for a second straight week with a knee injury.<P>
The Broncos recent surge has put them just one game out of first place in the AFC West. Tebow completed only 2-of-8 passes in last week’s win over K.C., which lowered his completion rate to an anemic 44.8% this season. But he does have an excellent 7 TD-to-1 INT ratio and has rushed for 320 yards on 6.7 YPC. If McGahee can’t go, Lance Ball, who got the heavy workload (30 carries, 96 yards) last week, will likely get the bulk of the carries again. Tebow could also see more running plays called for him. WR Eric Decker has seven touchdowns this season, scoring in three straight games. But Jets All-Pro CB Darrelle Revis, who has consistently shut down top receivers all season, will likely cover Decker on Sunday, making him a non-factor in the offense.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
