NFL Week 5 Preview: Falcons vs. Jets (in London)

The New York Jets will be in England for the second time in franchise history this Sunday to face the Atlanta Falcons. The venue will be Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which will host its third NFL game since the venue opened in 2019. The Jets are hoping that history repeats itself in NFL Week 5. Their lone appearance in London was on October 4, 2015, when they defeated Miami 24-17 at Wembley Stadium. Will history repeat itself this Sunday? Let’s take a closer look at key points for a Jets win.

Feed Michael Carter

The Jets first three drives in Week 5 had Jets fans in despair. But a mixture of passes and runs on the fourth drive saw them go on an 11-play, 75 yards drive. Running back Michael Carter got the last two carries on the drive, including his first NFL touchdown. The rookie running back leads the team with only 127 rushing yards. However, Jets coaches like what they see in Carter and he’s been receiving most of the touches on run plays. Is there a chance he has a breakout game? The Falcons currently rank 15^th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed, surrendering just over 119 yards per game. The Jets haven’t had a rusher with a 100+ yard game since October 7, 2018 when Isaiah Crowell did it against. NFL Week 5 could be the week that streak ends.

Get After Matt Ryan

Last week, the Jets’ defense was on the field for 93 plays. That’s an alarming statistic considering the team only allowed 24 points. The defense did its job in getting after Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill and put him on the ground six times. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has remained upright and has only been sacked nine times this season. However, in two games (Week 1 vs. Philadelphia, Week 3 vs. NY Giants), he has been sacked three times. The Jets’ defense should be watching lots of game film from those weeks to unlock the key to getting to the Falcons’ veteran quarterback in NFL Week 5. Defensive lineman Quinnen Williams had two sacks last week and John Franklin-Myers got his third of the season in Week 4. The Jets rewarded the latter with a four-year extension this week. He’s determined to have a big game against Atlanta.

Clean Sheet for the Offensive Line?

After three miserable weeks to begin the 2021 season, the Jets’ offensive line had its best game of the season in Week 4. The line only allowed one sack, kept quarterback Zach Wilson relatively clean, and helped the run game get 66 yards on the ground. Could the momentum continue in NFL Week 5 for the Jets’ offensive line against the Falcons? Since their Super Bowl season in 2016, the Falcons’ pass rush has been tame. Last week against Washington, the Falcons’ front seven generated only five quarterback hurries and no sacks. Between the Falcons’ lack of pass rush and mid-tier rushing defense, the Jets’ offensive line could have a big game in NFL Week 5. Maybe, just maybe, they’ll get their first clean sheet (no pun intended because of the venue) of sacks allowed since Week 14 of 2018.

Prediction Time

Following last week’s game against Tennessee, Jets fans have the potential to see a dominant performance. The offense could put up their best numbers of the season and the defense could remain stingy. The Jets can go streaking heading into the bye against the Falcons in NFL Week 5. I will be shocked if the Jets don’t win by at ten. With that, here’s my prediction: Jets 28, Falcons 17.

London’s calling…

I’m Ryan McCarthy and I cover the New York Jets beat for Belly Up Sports. We have a lot more to offer in our NFL coverage. If you want to chirp at me regarding the Jets, life, or other topics, hit me up on Twitter: @whoisryanmcc. Thanks for reading.