Back in September, I made five bold predictions for the New York Jets in 2022. At the time, Jets fans were hopeful for a leap from cellar dwellers to playoff contenders. It seemed that way for a while as the Jets raced to a 6-3 record and many talked about them being a tough out in the playoffs. Following the bye week, though, the Jets collapsed and finished with one win down the stretch. As a season filled with much unfulfilled promise closes, let’s revisit those five bold predictions for the New York Jets.
Bold Prediction #1: Elijah Moore finishes with 1,200 receiving yards
The first of the bold predictions I made for the New York Jets in 2022 was Elijah Moore gaining 1,200 receiving yards. I expected a breakout season for Moore, who had a decent showing in his rookie campaign. I also expected him to have an expanded role in the offense. However, with the Jets depending on other personnel and a rotating door of quarterbacks, Moore had a disappointing season. Moore felt so underutilized that he attempted to force the Jets to trade him before the trade deadline. Regardless of where he was placed – out wide or in the slot – Moore was underused. He finished with 37 receptions for 446 yards and one touchdown. The Jets will need to decide on Moore’s future in the offseason: do they use him more or trade him for picks?
(It is worth noting that Garrett Wilson – Moore’s fellow receiver – led all Jets receivers with 1,103 yards and four touchdowns. Right idea, wrong receiver.)
Bold Prediction #2: The Jets defense finishes in the league’s top 10 in sacks
The second of the bold predictions I made for the New York Jets in 2022 was the defense finishing in the top 10 in sacks. This is one of the bold predictions I’m happy that I got right. After years of struggling to find a dominant pass rush, the Jets have finally found one. All season long, the defense was led by defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. The interior lineman was an unstoppable force in 2022 and leads the Jets in sacks with 12. This season, the Jets finished seventh in the league with 45 sacks. In fact, the defense did not give up 30 points at any point in the season. Part of the credit for the resurgence in sacks goes to an improved secondary. The unit features the best cornerback duo in the league in Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed.
Bold Prediction #3: Breece Hall wins NFL Rookie of the Year
The third of the bold predictions I made for the New York Jets in 2022 was Breece Hall winning NFL Rookie of the Year. General manager Joe Douglas leapfrogged two teams in Day Two of April’s draft to select Hall. He gave the Jets a downhill runner who could get yards after contact. During the first four games, Hall was getting his feet wet, but he made his presence known in Weeks 5 and 6. He had 197 total yards against Miami and 116 rushing yards against Green Bay. Then came Week 7 against Denver. Following a 62-yard touchdown run, Hall’s knee gave out while being tackled, and he was diagnosed with a torn ACL. His season was done. Hall still finished as the team leader in rushing yards with 463. If Hall doesn’t suffer that injury in Week 7, he certainly would have finished with over 1,000 yards rushing. He would have run away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Bold Prediction #4: The offensive line records at least one clean sheet in sacks allowed during a game
The fourth the bold predictions I made for the New York Jets in 2022 was the offensive line allowing no sacks in a game at least once. This past offseason, Douglas went shopping for offensive line help. He signed Laken Tominson and Duane Brown. He drafted Max Mitchell. Once again, though, the unit would be stricken by injuries and poor play. At times, the unit looked like it forgot how to pass block. The tackle position was a revolving door. Brown played the entire season with a torn rotator cuff. Mitchell was lost for the season after Week 10 due to blood clots. Perhaps the biggest loss of all was in Week 7 when Alijah Vera-Tucker suffered a torn triceps and was lost for the season. The offensive line gave up at least one sack in every game this season… until Week 18 against Miami.
For the first time since Week 14 of the 2018 season, the New York Jets DID NOT ALLOW A SACK in a game.
— Ryan McCarthy (@WhoIsRyanMcC) January 8, 2023
My watch is over. #jetstwitter #takeflight #NFLTwitter
Bold Prediction #5: The Jets will go over the 5.5-wins odds
The final of the bold predictions I made for the New York Jets in 2022 was winning 5.5 games. Prior to the 2022 season beginning, many sportsbook oddsmakers had the Jets winning at least 5.5 games. The opening nine weeks of the season looked particularly daunting. The Jets played all four AFC North teams followed by three divisional games and a trip to Lambeau Field. Amazingly, the Jets split against the AFC North and went 6-heading into the bye week. Many pundits were looking at the Jets as a playoff team after Week 9. Unfortunately, the Jets would win only one game in the final seven games. In their final three games, they had zero touchdowns. Even with the season coming to the inevitable fall-on-their-face finish – because it’s the Jets – you cashed in if you took the over 5.5-win total. I know I did.
