Cheat Sheet: No new-coach bump for drama-laden Jets
Aaron Rodgers and the Jets seemed like a match, but not necessarily a good one.
Rodgers is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time but has trended toward the darker side of quirky in recent years. The Jets are mired in dysfunction that starts at the top with owner Woody Johnson, who’s prone to fits of impulsiveness.
That’s how Rodgers ended up with the Jets in the first place. And it’s why the Jets are still trying to escape from the muck after another tumultuous week in which coach Robert Saleh was fired following a 23-17 loss to the Vikings in London that dropped them to 2-3.
Fingers of blame immediately were pointed at Rodgers, whose relationship with Saleh seemed shaky at best — notably evident when Rodgers awkwardly pushed back on Saleh’s attempted hug on the sideline in the waning moments of the Jets’ 24-3 victory over the Patriots on Sept. 19 at the Meadowlands.
Both Rodgers and Saleh brushed off the social-media criticism that scene elicited. And maybe it actually was much ado about nothing. Who really has a great relationship with Rodgers in public, anyway?
Rodgers insisted he had nothing to do with Saleh’s firing. Though he likely has a fingerprint or two on it, he might be right this time. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Johnson fired Saleh himself in an apparent fit of pique following the loss in London, where Johnson was the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021. Johnson was “embarrassed” to lose in London, even though it was a close game against an undefeated team.
It’s an all-out soap opera. Saleh wanted to fire offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hacket — a friend of Rodgers from their days with the Packers — according to CBS Sports. But Johnson took matters into his own hands.
Hackett didn’t get off unscathed. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets’ defensive coordinator, stripped Hackett of his play-calling duties. So Hackett is the offensive coordinator, passing-game coordinator Todd Downing will call plays and Ulbrich is the head coach.
Rodgers is still the quarterback, and even that might be a problem. He has a 62.4 passer rating in the last two games with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
So if Johnson is looking for a fire-the-coach bump, he might be in for a disappointment.
BEST BET
BILLS at JETS
Time: 7:15 p.m. Monday, ESPN.
Line: Bills by 2½.
Total: 41.
Records (overall/ATS): Bills 3-2/2-3; Jets 2-3/2-3.
Pick: Bills 27, Jets 13.
TOP PLAYS
BROWNS at EAGLES
Time: Noon.
Line: Eagles by 9½.
Total: 43.
Records (overall/ATS): Browns 1-4/1-4; Eagles 2-2/2-2.
Outlook: Eagles flopped against the Buccaneers but are coming off a bye and could have WR DeVonta Smith (concussion), WR A.J. Brown (hamstring) and LT Lane Johnson (concussion) back. Eagles are 3-0 after the bye under Nick Sirianni, including a 21-17 victory over the Chiefs at Arrowhead last season. Browns and Deshaun Watson heading downhill.
Pick: Eagles 31, Browns 13.
TEXANS at PATRIOTS
Time: Noon.
Line: Texans by 7.
Total: 38.
Records (overall/ATS): Texans 4-1/1-3-1; Patriots 1-4/1-3-1.
Outlook: A week after shutting down Bills QB Josh Allen (9-for-30, 131 yards, 56.4 rating), the Texans face Drake Maye making his first NFL start. First-round QBs making their first start are 1-11 SU over the last four seasons, with the Bears’ Caleb Williams the only winner. Pats have lost four straight since an opening win over the Bengals.
Pick: Texans 24, Patriots 7.
BENGALS at GIANTS
Time: 7:20 p.m., NBC 5.
Line: Bengals by 3½.
Total: 49½.
Records (overall/ATS): Bengals 1-4/2-3; Giants 2-3/2-2-1.
Outlook: Joe Burrow has been gaining momentum since returning from a season-ending injury and was in vintage form last week vs. the Ravens — 30-for-39, 392 yards, 5 TDs and a 137.0 passer rating. He can’t play defense, but he won’t have to against a Giants team due for a letdown after a road upset of the Seahawks.
Pick: Bengals 31, Giants 19.
OTHER GAMES
BEARS vs. JAGUARS
Time: 8:30 a.m., London, NFL, Fox 32.
Line: Bears by 2½. Total: 44.
Records (overall/ATS): Bears 3-2/3-1-1; Jaguars 1-4/2-3.
Outlook: The Bears have won two straight, but against the short-handed Rams (1-4) and the upstreaming Panthers (1-4). Still, their progress on offense with rookie Caleb Williams seems legit, and the Jaguars aren’t that much of a step up in class — though Trevor Lawrence is always a wild card. London games can be tricky, especially considering the Jaguars’ experience, so bettor beware.
Pick: Bears 23, Jaguars 20.
COMMANDERS at RAVENS
Time: Noon, CBS 2.
Line: Ravens by 6½. Total: 52½.
Records (overall/ATS): Commanders 4-1/4-1; Ravens 3-2/3-2.
Outlook: The Commanders stayed on a roll behind rookie QB Jayden Daniels in a 34-13 victory over the Browns. The Ravens’ defense hasn’t been what it was but figures to respond after getting torched by Joe Burrow (5 TDs). The bigger challenge could be on defense, against Lamar Jackson and a Ravens offense ranked first in yards and third in scoring — with 28, 35 and 41 points in its last 3 games.
Pick: Ravens 30, Commanders 23.
COLTS at TITANS
Time: Noon.
Line: Titans by 2½. Total: 43½.
Records (overall/ATS): Colts 2-3/4-1; Titans 1-3/1-3.
Outlook: The Colts are in a tough spot at QB, where veteran Joe Flacco gives them the best chance to win but injured Anthony Richardson (oblique) is their current long-term future. Flacco has a 115.6 passer rating (5 TDs, 0 INTs, 70%) in two games in place of Richardson. With Richardson getting healthy, Colts coach Shane Steichen has a big decision to make. Titans are coming off a bye.
Pick: Colts 24, Titans 20.
STEELERS at RAIDERS
Time: 3:05 p.m.
Line: Steelers by 3. Total: 36½.
Records (overall/ATS): Steelers 3-2/3-2; Raiders 2-3/2-3.
Outlook: Steelers crapped out late against the Cowboys, allowing a 15-play, 70-yard TD drive in the final five minutes of a 20-17 loss to the Cowboys at home. But it’s QB Justin Fields and their offense that’s on the spot after producing just 226 yards. With Russell Wilson healthy, Fields has to be more than just better than he was with the Bears.
Pick: Steelers 18, Raiders 16.
CARDINALS at PACKERS
Time: Noon, Fox 32.
Line: Packers by 5. Total: 49½.
Records (overall/ATS): Cardinals 2-3/3-2; Packers 3-2/3-2.
Outlook: Packers QB Jordan Love is finding a groove, gets Romeo Doubs back from suspension and could have Christian Watson back from injury. You can’t sleep on the Cardinals, who are coming off a 24-23 upset of the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.
Pick: Packers 27, Cards 17.
BUCCANEERS at SAINTS
Time: Noon.
Line: Buccaneers by 2½. Total: 42½.
Records (overall/ATS): Buccaneers 3-2/3-2; Saints 2-3/3-2.
Outlook: The Saints and QB Derek Carr have faded after a red-hot start, scoring 12, 24 and 13 points in three losses after scoring 47 and 44 points in victories over the Panthers and Cowboys. Bucs should bounce back on long rest after losing to the Falcons in overtime.
Pick: Buccaneers 31, Saints 24.
CHARGERS at BRONCOS
Time: 3:05 p.m.
Line: Chargers by 3. Total: 35½.
Records (overall/ATS): Chargers 2-2/2-2; Broncos 3-2/4-1.
Outlook: At some point, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh is going to have to work his QB magic with Justin Herbert, who’s averaging a career-low 144.5 yards per game (it was 277.8 coming in) and 6.4 yards per attempt (7.6).
Pick: Chargers 24, Broncos 20.
LIONS at COWBOYS
Time: 3:25 p.m., Fox 32.
Line: Lions by 3. Total: 52.
Records (overall/ATS): Lions 3-1/3-1; Cowboys 3-2/2-2-1.
Outlook: Cowboys have not been as invincible at home (1-1) as they were last year, when they went 8-0 with six victories by 20 points or more. Dan Campbell will have his team primed coming off the bye.
Pick: Lions 30, Cowboys 28.
FALCONS at PANTHERS
Time: 3:25 p.m.
Line: Falcons by 6.
Records (overall/ATS): Falcons 3-2/2-3; Panthers 1-4/1-4.
Outlook: Kirk Cousins is finding his groove with a new team and coming off season-ending Achilles surgery last year — 504 yards and 4 TDs in an OT victory against the Bucs. Panthers staying with Andy Dalton for now.
Pick: Falcons 31, Panthers 23.