The Denver Broncos and New York Jets will square off at Mile High for their Week 3 matchup on Sunday. These two AFC squads have begun the 2021 regular season with new quarterbacks at the helm, but are on two entirely different paths. For the Broncos, they named Teddy Bridgewater their starter after their offseason acquisition beat out Drew Lock. So far, that decision has proven to work out well, with Denver beginning the year 2-0. As for the Jets, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for them and No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson. They are winless through the first two weeks of the season and Wilson is coming into this game after throwing four interceptions in Week 2.
Given where each team is at currently, it’s no surprise to see the Broncos as a double-digit favorite in this contest. What will occur when this game actually kicks off, however? We’ll soon find out. Below, you’ll find our preview for this Week 3 showdown.
How to watch
Date: Sunday, Sept. 26 | Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: Empower Field at Mile High (Denver, Colorado)
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)
Follow: CBS Sports App
Odds: Broncos -10.5, O/U 41/5
Keys to the game
Jets need to limit turnovers to keep it close
Turnovers have been absolutely killer for New York to begin this season as they’ve directly resulted in points for the opposition. In five drives following a turnover, the Jets have allowed 19 points. In the other 18 defensive drives, they’ve given up 15. So around 43% of their points allowed have been directly caused by turnovers, which is a number that first year head coach Robert Saleh — a former defensive coordinator for the 49ers — likely can’t stomach. To make matters worse, the Broncos have protected the ball extremely well this season, with Teddy Bridgewater having yet to throw an interception.
Let Bridgewater cook
Teddy Bridgewater is balling out to begin his Broncos tenure. He’s second in the league with a 77.1 completion percentage and is averaging 296 yards per game through the air. Bridgewater has also thrown for four touchdowns and zero interceptions through two games. If he is able to once again find the end zone twice and have no interceptions on his record, he’d become just the fourth Broncos QB to do that over a three-game stretch. Bridgewater has done most of his damage on short throws (0-9 yards) where he has an 89.2 completion percentage and three touchdowns. That said, he’s also bee highly effective in the medium range of the field (10-19 yards), completing 90% of his throws with a 13.2 average depth of target. The Jets are allowing 70.3% of opposing quarterbacks passes to be completed this season, so this is an opponent Bridgewater should continue to be efficient against.
Prediction
Latest Odds: Denver Broncos -10.5
The Broncos are not only 2-0 to begin the season, but they are just one of five teams entering Week 2 that are undefeated against the spread. Meanwhile, the Jets are one of five teams to be 0-2 ATS on the year. Given how sharp Denver has been this season and how spotty the Jets offense is at the moment, this feels like a game where the Broncos should clear this 10.5 point spread. Denver is also 4-1 ATS in their last five games as a favorite.
Pick: Broncos 30, Jets 17
