It’s been eight long months. Eight months of anticipation to go with free agency, the draft, mini-camps, OTA’s, and the preseason. The anticipation concludes on Sunday when the New York Jets open their 2022 season at home against the Baltimore Ravens. General manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh have put the franchise through a roster makeover the over the past two seasons. The roster makeover has made fan expectations for improvement from four wins in 2021 extraordinarily high in 2022. With expectations set, there must be some bold predictions for the New York Jets in 2022 and yes, this is just another one of those articles. Here are five bold New York Jets predictions for 2022.
Bold Prediction #1: Elijah Moore finishes with over 1,200 receiving yards
The first of the bold predictions for the New York Jets in 2022 is wide receiver Elijah Moore finishing the season with over 1,200 receiving yards. In 2021, Moore finished with 568 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns in 11 games before sidelined with a quad injury in December. Moore was limited in the preseason, but there are indicators that he will be WR1 this season. During mini-camp, OTA’s, and training camp, Moore quickly established himself as the favorite of whoever was at quarterback. There have only been three receivers in franchise history who have finished with over 1,200 yards: Brandon Marshall (2015), Don Maynard (1960, 1965, 1967, 1968), and Laveranues Coles (2002). Barring catastrophic injury or suspension, Moore should be the fourth to appear on this list.
Bold Prediction #2: The Jets defense finishes in the league’s top 10 in sacks
The second of the bold predictions for the New York Jets in 2022 is their defense will finish in the league’s top 10 teams in sacks. The Jets’ defense biggest problem was lack of pressure on the opposing quarterback: the Jets finished tied for 25th in the league with only 33 sacks. The last time the Jets finished in the league’s top 10 in sacks was 2014. The potential is there this season to finish in the top 10 again. Quinnen Williams is poised for a breakout season. Carl Lawson returns from tearing his Achilles tendon during 2021 training camp. Jermaine Johnson was drafted to be a constant disruptor. Lest we forget the underrated rookie Micheal (Deebo) Clemons, who can get after the quarterback. With additions in the secondary to help the pass defense (hello Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Jordan Whitehead), sack numbers should go up exponentially this season.
Bold Prediction #3: Breece Hall wins NFL Rookie of the Year
The third of the bold predictions for the New York Jets in 2022 is Breece Hall will win NFL Rookie of the Year. In the 62-year existence of the franchise, no rookies have ever won Rookie of the Year. (Joe Namath and Matt Snell each won AFL Rookie of the Year; however, it was prior to the NFL-AFL merger.) Hall could be the first to win the prestigious award this season. The Jets’ offense is designed for Hall to flourish in this system; he’s a runner who can chew up yards and catch passes out of the backfield. He’s the perfect back for offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur’s system. Many Jets fans – me included – believe Hall could one day join the prominent 1,000-yard rushing/1,000-yard receiving club. He won’t do it this season, but he could certainly have a memorable rookie season.
Bold Prediction #4: The offensive line records at least one clean sheet in sacks allowed during a game
The fourth of the bold predictions for the New York Jets in 2022 is the offensive line will have at least one clean sheet in sacks allowed in a game. The last time the Jets’ offensive line allowed no sacks in a game was Week 14 of the 2018 season against Buffalo. Since 2019, the offensive line has surrendered a whopping 148 sacks, an average of 49 sacks per season. The primary concern has been health, depth, and lack of talent. The Jets went shopping this offseason by adding durable veterans Laken Tomlinson and Duane Brown. Their primary responsibility will be to protect the left side. George Fant and Alijah Vera-Tucker shore up the right side while Connor McGovern will be back at center. A healthy and talented offensive line means the quarterback has more time to throw the ball. And when the quarterback has time to throw the ball, good things can happen.
Bold Prediction #5: The Jets will go over the 5.5-win odds
The fifth and final bold prediction for the New York Jets in 2022 is they will win over 5.5 games. Sportsbook oddsmakers across the country have the odds for the Jets winning 5.5 games in 2022. On paper, the Jets should be better with all the changes in personnel made in free agency and the draft. The schedule starts murderous with all four AFC North teams and two Super Bowl contenders (Buffalo and Green Bay) within the first nine weeks. The schedule gets easier following the bye week with teams like Detroit, Chicago, and Jacksonville. If the Jets can split games in the first four weeks and win at least two games against AFC East opponents, they’ll surely go over the 5.5 games the oddsmakers gave. Take the over and thank me later.
Will these predictions come true? We’ll all find out in January when the regular season ends.
