Jets vs. Jaguars: Preview, Game Time and TV Schedule

The New York Jets will be returning home after what was a rough two week road trip. The Jets lost both of those games, and return home to MetLife Stadium on a three-game losing streak. They will look to end that losing streak against the visiting Jacksonville Jagaurs.

At 2-5, the Jaguars would normally be staring down another top pick and getting ready for 2016. But, with how bad the AFC South, the division they reside in, is, the Jaguars still have a shot at the division title. If they are able to pick up a win over the Jets this afternoon, they could leave Week 9 in a tie for the division lead with a 3-5 record. That scenario will come true if the Indianapolis Colts lose to the Denver Broncos, as the Houston Texans, who are also 3-5, are on bye.

So the Jets will not have a cake walk this afternoon, as the Jaguars have just as much to play for as they do. This recent three-game losing streak has put the Jets in a difficult predicament, as the last two teams are ones they will be fighting for a Wild Card spot. With the tiebreaker already lost to the Oakland Raiders, the Jets cannot afford to lose to another AFC team.

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It will not be an easy game, as the Jets are very banged up. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith both came out of the Black Hole black and blue. Fitzpatrick tore some ligaments in his left, non-throwing hand, while Smith injured his shoulder and chest taking numerous hard hits. Fitzpatrick was cleared to play at practice during the week, but there is no guarantee that he can make it through the game. He did not look comfortable last week when he had to relieve Smith for a couple of plays, and could be in for a long afternoon.

Fitzpatrick could also be without some weapons. Bilal Powell looks like he will be sidelined for the third time this season. Brandon Marshall is also questionable, but is expected to suit up. Chris Ivory has not looked like himself the last two weeks as he tweaked his ankle against the New England Patriots and hasn’t looked 100 percent healthy since.

Without a strong run game, the Jets have been unable to get anything going offensively. Normally that wouldn’t be a problem, but the Jets defense has not been that great recently either. They have up 30 points against Tom Brady and company, which isn’t all that surprising with how great of an offense they are. But is surprising is that they followed that up by allowing 34 points to Derek Carr and the Raiders, as the Jets defense looked like to forgot how to tackle and were destroyed by a budding, but not yet dominant offense that the silver and black have.

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When: 1:00 PM ET
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV Channel: CBS
Announcers: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Jamie Erdahl
Weather: 56 degrees, Sunny, 0% precipitation, 39% humidity, 7 MPH Winds Northwest
Betting Line: Jets 8 point underdogs, 42 points over/under