The Jets return to the field Sunday following their fourth straight loss, but this time, they will have a different quarterback under center.
A return home is in store for Gang Green after a miserable road trip following their bye week. The Jets are looking to knock off a Cowboys team that is coming off two straight losses to playoff-caliber teams. New York’s offense has been anemic, but Sam Darnold’s return should help the Jets offense immensely. On the other hand, the Cowboys have been banged up and could be without two key cogs on their offensive line.
So, what should Jets fans know before the two teams kickoff? Here are some pregame storylines to keep an eye on.
Sam Darnold returns
Sam Darnold is back.
The Jets second-year quarterback returns after a month-long battle with mono.
The Jets’ anemic offense needs a savior and Darnold appears to be the lifeline it needs. The line for the game has moved in favor of the Jets since Darnold was cleared for contact by team doctors.
In Darnold’s absence, the Jets offense averaged fewer than 180 yards per game and just 14.3 yards per drive. That should improve and so should the play-calling and personnel around Gang Green’s signal-caller.
Will Tyron Smith and La’el Collins suit up?
The Cowboys could be without both of their starting tackles on Sunday.
Both La’el Collins (knee) and Tyron Smith (ankle) are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Neither participated in practice this week, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expects at least one of them will be good to go against the Jets.
Smith missed last week’s loss to the Packers with his ankle injury, while Collins left the game with an injured knee. If neither can go, it’s certainly an added boost for Gang Green, especially with Henry Anderson sidelined with a shoulder injury and the Jets’ lack of a pass-rush thus far.
Cowboys looking to bounce-back
Following a three-game winning streak, the Cowboys fell back to earth after facing potential NFC playoff teams in the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints.
Many see this as a winnable game for Gang Green with Darnold back in the fold, but Dallas really needs a pick me up and have proven it can beat bad teams this season. The Cowboys knocked off the Giants, Redskins and Dolphins pretty handily.
The Jets have allowed 23 sacks through their first four games, which ranks first in the NFL. DeMarcus Lawrence and Robert Quinn should have a field day against projected starters Kelvin Beachum and Chuma Edoga.
On the other side of the football, covering Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup while containing Ezekiel Elliot seems like a tall task for a defense that is without C.J. Mosley and has a ragtag cornerback room.
That said, the Cowboys should be able to hand the Jets their fifth straight loss.
A new look offense?
With an obviously limited Sam Darnold and a patched-together offensive line, Adam Gase didn’t exactly empty out his playbook in Week 1.
For two-quarters of Trevor Siemian and two games of Luke Falk, Gase remained even conservative with his offensive game plans.
With Darnold back and the Jets seemingly having nothing to lose with four losses already under their belt, it’s expected that Gase is going to open up the Jets offense. The head coach has already said that he wants to get Ty Montgomery and Bilal Powell more involved as is. Robby Anderson has been open but has had no one to throw it to him and the protection should be better with a quarterback of Darnold’s caliber.
The Jets have scored two offensive touchdowns this season They should probably surpass that total on Sunday.
