Well, well, well. What do we have here? This isn’t the AFC East we’ve come to know over the years.
Buffalo flips the switch
After weeks of being criticized (rightfully) for their lack of intensity, Josh Allen and the Bills decided to show just how good they can be, in a complete and total domination of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, the Steelers might just be the worst team in the league, so we’ll still need to see more from them going forward. However, Allen’s insane first half performance along with Gabriel Davis’ incredible game proves everything you need to know about what this Buffalo team can accomplish. 552 yards of total offense is a terrifying statistic for the other 31 teams. The only question is, can they be consistent enough moving forward?
How ‘bout them Jets?
It has happened. For the first time in over two years, the Jets got a division win. For the first time since 2020, they registered back-to-back wins. For the first time since 2017, they are holding onto a winning record in October. For once, the talk isn’t about mock drafts, but a potential playoff push. How about that? It would’ve been so easy to fall back into the “Same Old Jets” nonsense on Sunday, but they didn’t. They hung 40 points on the board for the first time since 2018. Sensing a theme here? Sunday’s game was evidence that the fruits of Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas’ labor are finally paying off. This young team has been able to win because of its defense, run game, and pass game now in 2022, the sign of a team finding itself. Perhaps the most fitting part in all of this is how Sauce Gardner’s first interception and forced safety helped propel a Breece Hall-led offense to victory. What a week for the Jets and their fans, who packed the stadium for the first time in a long time. Let’s see if that continues in Green Bay this Sunday.
Injuries piling up in Miami
There really isn’t a lot to say about the Dolphins, especially with the team they just put out on the field Sunday. The game was almost over before it started, thanks to the new concussion protocols knocking Teddy Bridgewater out of the game early in the opening quarter. It doesn’t excuse the defensive effort though, as the Jets won the game on the ground, which is supposed to be a strength of the Miami defense. They let Hall dominate offensively, instead of forcing Wilson to win it with his arm. For a team that ranked in the upper third of the league in rushing defense and bottom third in passing defense, this was an unfortunate step back. Plus, third string quarterback or not, injuries piling up for this Miami team have to be a concern, especially after the way the Jets defense locked down Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle all afternoon. Saleh’s Jets dared Miami to beat them on the ground and score 20 points with a backup quarterback, and they couldn’t. It’ll be interesting to see if teams elect to defend Miami like that going forward now that the formula is out.
The Pats are back?
It doesn’t matter who the quarterback is, the opponent, the location, the time, or anything else you can think of. The Patriots are inevitable. Granted it’s the Lions, but pitching a shutout is tough to do in the NFL, no matter what team it is. A 29-0 shutout too? Impressive. Bailey Zappe didn’t have to win the game with his arm, but we are starting to see this new version of Patriots football again. Running the ball and playing defense. Rhamondre Stevenson had himself a day with 161 rushing yards and in the wake of Damien Harris’ injury, this could be Stevenson’s backfield now. The one thing that is clear now? The Patriots have figured out how to win with this roster moving forward.
Bet on it
This is going to sound completely crazy, but if you haven’t learned by now, that’s all we are about here at BetBasics. Right now, you can get the Jets to make the playoffs at +470 on FanDuel. Crazy right? Or is it? This team has already proven that they are different, no longer the Same Old Jets. They are currently a game up on the Patriots, who are +280 to make the postseason. Outside of history, there isn’t much to explain that difference in price. Take a look at the road ahead. The Jets get a Packers team coming straight from London off a brutal loss, then a disappointing Broncos team, followed by the Patriots and Bills at home before the bye week. Isn’t 5-4 attainable? We came into this season expecting three, maybe four playoff teams from the AFC West. Good luck with that now. Seven teams have to make the playoffs and no one is experiencing a longer drought in the league than the Jets. Whatever you thought the Lions were prior to the season beginning, apply that to the Jets, the actual team that took a step forward. With all the young talent, it really isn’t that crazy anymore.
Basic Tips
The suggested +470 playoff bet is a futures bet, meaning the wager will not be settled until the regular season concludes. If the Jets make the playoffs then you win. If not, then you lose. Regardless, don’t bet anything that you cannot live without until January. A $100 bet will return an additional $470 to your bank account, if the Jets find themselves playing more than the allotted 17 games.