Commanders (4-10) at Jets (5-9)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV: CBS
Spread (BetMGM):
Jets by 3
Commanders’ keys to victory:
The Jets have struggled stopping the run lately, so this could be a good time to focus on using RBs Antonio Gibson and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Attacking the deep middle of the field can also be advantageous. Jets S Jordan Whitehead has been up and down this season.
Jets’ keys to victory: The Jets don’t know who their quarterback will be after QB Zach Wilson suffered a concussion during a 30-0 loss to the Dolphins. And no, it probably won’t be Aaron Rodgers. We could say the Jets need to get their playmakers involved, but they can’t get the run game going and WR Garrett Wilson didn’t see a target until the second half in Week 15. The offensive line has to give the quarterback more time to throw. Wilson and Trevor Siemian (six sacks total) took a beating at the hands of the Dolphins.
Matchup to watch: Commanders WR Terry McLaurin vs. Jets CB Sauce Gardner. Gardner will match up against McLaurin for the first time in the NFL. McLaurin has been one of the better wide receivers in the NFL, even with the up-and-down play of quarterback Sam Howell. There’s plenty of star power here that will help define this game.
Who wins? The Jets laid a huge egg in Week 15 (a 30-0 loss to the Dolphins) in a game they needed, both for their playoff hopes and maybe to hasten the recuperating Rodgers back on the field. Neither is happening now. The Jets have no offense, and Washington has a defense that can stifle the Jets and their lack of a run game.
Commanders, 16-10