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The Jets rant of the week belonged to Joe Benigno on WFAN:
“You can change the owner. You can change the coaches. You can change the GM. You can change the quarterback. You can change the players. You could change the stadium. You could change the practice facility. You could change the uniforms. You could change whatever you wanna change. You could change the lunch room, you could change whatever you wanna change about this franchise. The results never change. Never.”
In the wake of the Jets’ 23-20 loss to the Bills — which featured two missed field goals and 11 penalties and left them at 2-4 with a three-game losing streak — it’s hard to find fault with any of Benigno’s diatribe. Quite literally, the new quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, was clad in a throwback to a uniform the Jets have worn for two long stretches in their history.
Fans had been hoping the sure-shot Hall of Famer would come in and clean up the mess that had been the offense, put up enough points to support a defense that’s not great but is very good, and the wins would follow.
Instead, Robert Saleh is already out the door after five games, the first game of the Jeff Ulbrich era delivered the same type of excruciating loss as there’s always been, and Rodgers even threw gasoline on the fire by blaming WR Mike Williams for not running the “red line” on the game-clinching interception.
NFL Network’s Ryan Fitzpatrick, the last Jets quarterback to post a winning record, was incredulous. Even if that’s exactly what happened on the play, quarterbacks don’t usually point the finger like that from the post-game podium.
Maybe coming from Rodgers it’s the tough love this team needs in a time of crisis. Or maybe it’s just another sign of the apocalypse.
Anyway, the Jets have moved on to another new player, trading for Rodgers’ former top target in Green Bay, Davante Adams. He’s 32 and has had some injury concerns this season. With him and Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, Rodgers now has all the skill-position help he could ever want.
The questions remain about whether the offensive line can hold up (without the devastating holding penalties), and whether new play-caller Todd Downing has any more creativity than Nathaniel Hackett did. And of course, above all that, whether the aging Rodgers can be the Rodgers of old.
As for Sunday, it’s a stretch to see the Jets as two-point favorites on the road against a Steelers team that’s 4-2 and in first place in the AFC North. It’s also strange to see Steelers coach Mike Tomlin replace Justin Fields with aging, oft-injured Russell Wilson.
I’m going to take the points with a team that knows how to win the close ones.
The pick: Steelers +2.
Philadelphia Eagles (-3) over NEW YORK GIANTS
Big Blue is on course to get Malik Nabers and Devin Singletary back from injuries. The Eagles got back their cavalry (WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and OT Lane Johnson) last week, and they couldn’t cover as heavy favorites against the Browns. That leaves us with a bit of a bargain spread here in Saquon Barkley’s return to MetLife.
New England Patriots (+5.5) over Jacksonville Jaguars (in London)
The Jaguars played in London last week, getting crushed by the Bears. The Patriots have to make the trip now, so that’s a disadvantage, but I’ll take a shot with Drake Maye against a fellow 1-5 team that should never be favored by this many points.
Seattle Seahawks (+3) over ATLANTA FALCONS
I hate laying even small spreads with the Falcons, because it seems whenever I do, they win by one or two points on a last-second field goal. The Seahawks have a few extra days to mitigate the effects of the cross-country travel, and I’m expecting a big effort off three consecutive double-digit losses.
BUFFALO BILLS (-9.5) over Tennessee Titans
This shouldn’t be a repeat of Buffalo’s 47-10 home boat race over Jacksonville because the Titans defense is no joke. Still, there’s a large sweet spot of final scores that would cover this number, if the Bills aren’t complacent in the short week after their big win over the Jets.
Cincinnati Bengals (-5.5) over CLEVELAND BROWNS
The Bengals were fortunate to beat, and particularly to cover, against the Giants, but they’re healthy, and at some point are going to put up a big number on the scoreboard. The Browns are a hot mess of injuries and poor QB play from Deshaun Watson, and they have started the fire sale by trading Amari Cooper.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (-3) over Houston Texans
Sunny and 75 is probably not what the Packers had in mind for Sunday’s visit from the Texans. The spread is about right, given the Lambeau advantage, and I figure the surroundings will help Jordan Love outdo C.J. Stroud in a close, entertaining game.
Miami Dolphins (+3) over INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Four of the Colts’ six games have been decided by three points or fewer, so this spread already puts us right there. If Tyler Huntley can figure out how to better utilize Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins could see little resurgence.
Detroit Lions (+1.5) over MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Another of the must-watch games this week. Jared Goff’s Lions scored 42 and 47 the past two weeks and could have more than Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores can handle. Hard to find fault with Minnesota, but 6-0 is a lot to ask of Sam Darnold.
Las Vegas Raiders (+6.5) over LOS ANGELES RAMS
Two struggling teams, though the Raiders have a win at the Ravens and the Rams have a win at the 49ers somewhere in their muscle memories. I just don’t see a near-touchdown’s worth of difference between these teams.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (-8) over Carolina Panthers
Though Jonathan Allen’s injury is a hit for the Washington defense and will help Andy Dalton put up a few points, I just don’t see the Panthers — who have given up 34, 36 and 38 points the past three weeks — keeping Jayden Daniels & Co. under 40.
Kansas City Chiefs (+1.5) over SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
I wrote 6-0 is a little much to expect from Sam Darnold, but it’s not too much for Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, particularly off a bye. Niners have Super Bowl revenge on their minds, but it will be hard to get for a team that has lost to the Rams and Cardinals.
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Monday
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (+3.5) over Baltimore Ravens
Bucs already have wins against the Commanders, Lions and Eagles, so their 4-2 record is legit. Though the Ravens pose their toughest challenge yet, the half-point hook could possess some real value.
Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5) over ARIZONA CARDINALS
At under a field goal, the Jim Harbaugh-Justin Herbert Chargers seem like a good buy, particularly with Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. in concussion protocol at midweek.
Best bets: Lions, Packers, Chiefs
Lock of the week: Lions (Locks 2-4 in 2024)
Last week: 9-5 overall, 1-2 Best Bets
Thursday: Broncos (W)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Dave Blezow’s one of the longest tenured NFL handicappers at the Post with picks dating back 31 years. He won the Post’s NFL betting standings in 2021 and the Playoffs most recently in 2023.