The Jets return to the field on Sunday after a bye week afforded the team the opportunity to get healthy and get their act together following a disastrous 0-3 start.
A trip to the City of Brotherly Love is in store for New York in Week 5, as the Eagles are the latest team to be heavily favored to knock off Gang Green. The Jets have never defeated the Eagles and given the current state of the team, it’s hard to see that changing on Sunday. However, Philadelphia is banged up and underperforming in certain areas in its own right, making it entirely possible for New York to come in and pull off an upset.
So, what should Jets fans know before the two teams kick-off? Here are some pregame storylines to keep an eye on.
Offensive Line Shakeups
New York’s offensive line will look a bit different than it has through the first three weeks of the season when it takes the field in Week 5.
Chuma Edoga and Alex Lewis will start for the first time this season, as Brandon Shell and Kelechi Osemele head to the bench. Edoga will make his first career start in place of the underperforming Shell, who has not lived up to the promise that he carried into this season. Osemele is banged up and is in desperate need of some time off to get back to 100%. The veteran Lewis affords him the opportunity to do just that.
Will Luke Falk have a little more time to throw with two new offensive linemen in the mix? Will Le’Veon Bell have a couple of more holes to run through? With the way New York has performed in the trenches so far this season, it doesn’t hurt to make some changes and see what happens.
Round 2 For Luke
With Sam Darnold not yet cleared for contact, Luke Falk will make his second start for the Jets on Sunday.
Falk is behind the eight ball this week, as he did not see many reps in practice throughout the week and was not granted much of an opportunity to prepare as the team’s starting quarterback. Factor in the way he played against the Patriots in Week 3 and Falk is going to have to take a massive step forward if the Jets want to have any chance at breaking into the win column for the first time this season.
The Eagles are missing a few key contributors in the secondary, which will make Falk’s life a bit easier in Week 5. The hope is that Falk can take advantage of Philadelphia’s depleted secondary and do enough to put the Jets in a position to win.
Banged Up Birds
The Jets aren’t the only team dealing with a rash of injuries right now.
Eagles wide receiver Desean Jackson will not suit up for the Birds in Week 5, taking away Carson Wentz’s favorite deep threat. The picture doesn’t get any prettier for Philadelphia on defense, as starting cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Avonte Maddox are also out.
The Eagles didn’t have the fortune of a bye week to get healthy like the Jets did. Regardless, both teams will be without a handful of key players on both sides of the ball on Sunday, meaning the end result might come down to whoever comes off the bench and steps up the most.
The Impending Return of Quinnen Williams
Quinnen Williams is listed as questionable with an ankle injury heading into Sunday, but is expected to suit up in Week 5.
Williams wasn’t exactly dominating before being sideline, but his return undoubtedly bolsters New York’s defensive line. Williams is a force on the inside that all opposing offensive linemen are forced to account for regardless of whether he is playing well or not. His return could also free things up for Leonard Williams and Henry Anderson.
The Jets need a jolt on defense. Quinnen could be the guy to provide exactly that.
