Jacksonville Jaguars must account for these 5 NY Jets in Week 16

The Jacksonville Jaguars are trying to finish the 2021 season strong and they will have three weeks to salvage something. In Week 16, they will face off against a New York Jets team that hasn’t fared much better this season. In fact, both teams have a realistic shot to land the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

As tempting as getting the top pick may be, the Jaguars and the Jets will go into the game expecting to win. Coaches and players are fighting for their jobs and nobody will make an unconscious effort to lose the game. Having said that, teams have no control over who is placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list and the Jets will be without head coach Robert Saleh on Sunday. In his place, tight end coach Ron Middleton will handle his duties.

This may or may not end up giving the Jags an advantage but regardless of who’s on the opposite sideline, they need to show up and play. Also, they will need to keep an eye on these five Jets if they want to come out of MetLife Stadium with a win.

No.1 Jets player the Jaguars must account for – Michael Carter, RB.

There’s a reason the Jets are 3-11. Just like the Jaguars, they have struggled to score points this season and rank 27th in points scored. On the other hand, they have a bit more talent on the offensive side of the ball. Michael Carter leads their running game.

The rookie out of North Carolina has toted the rock 119 times for 448 yards with four touchdowns. He will sure get the ball early and ofter in order to take some pressure off quarterback Zach Wilson. However, expect running backs Ty Johnson and Tevin Coleman to also see the field. The three of them are adept at running the ball and catching it.

It will be up to the Jags front seven to clog up the Jets’ running lanes and force them to become one-dimensional.