Is Joe Burrow due for a breakout game?

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had an amazing season in 2021, as he completed 70 percent of his passes for over 4,600 yards and 34 touchdowns. However, he’s off to a rocky start this year behind that struggling offensive line.

In an opening day loss to the Steelers, Burrow threw four interceptions, and then passed for less than 200 yards in a Week 2 loss in Dallas. He has also fumbled three times in those two games.

While it’s actually his third season, Burrow’s rookie year was cut short due to injury, so this arguably bears all the characteristics of a sophomore slump. The talented passer will be keen to prove that’s not the case. Interestingly, he’s struggled against Cover-2 defenses so far this year, which is significant because the Jets typically favor Cover-3 looks under Robert Saleh.

How will the Jets counter the Bengals’ pass catching threats?

Jets’ cornerbacks Ahmad Gardner and D.J. Reed have already spent time discussing how talented Ja’Marr Chase is this week and he’s one player who is off to a productive start despite the Bengals’ struggles so far.

Reed noted how good Chase is after the catch, so the Jets will need to tackle well on Sunday. At times so far this season, they’ve missed tackles because they’ve been too focused on trying to strip the ball loose.

The Jets might need Gardner to cover the 6-foot-4 Tee Higgins due to his superior length, which would mean the more experienced Reed could draw the Chase assignment. Michael Carter II could draw the assignment of covering Tyler Boyd in the slot, while a safety or linebacker might be tasked with stopping new tight end Hayden Hurst, who has 10 catches in the first two games.

Will the Bengals focus their attention on stopping Garrett Wilson?

In last year’s game, the Jets mostly picked the Bengals apart with a short passing game with Mike White at the helm, while also sprinkling in some gadget plays. However, you’d expect them to air it out a little more with Joe Flacco under center.

Everyone is talking about Garrett Wilson following his heroics against the Browns, but will the Bengals tailor their gameplan towards specifically slowing him down? Chidobe Awuzie has established himself as the Bengals’ top cornerback, so he could theoretically be employed on Wilson.

However, this would leave the likes of Eli Apple and Mike Hilton matched up with Elijah Moore and Corey Davis, who would expect to be able to generate some good production.

Popular in the Community