Second-year head coaches Robert Saleh and Arthur Smith will collide on Monday night when the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons close out the Week 2 NFL preseason schedule. These teams have been battling this week during joint practices as they look to improve in August. Atlanta secured a 27-23 win over Detroit last week, while New York topped the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-21.
Kickoff from MetLife Stadium is scheduled for 8 pm ET. Atlanta is a 2.5-point favorite in the latest Falcons vs. Jets odds at Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 39. Before locking in any Jets vs. Falcons picks, make sure you check out what SportsLine NFL expert Emory Hunt has to say.
Hunt is the founder and CEO of Football Gameplan, which has been supplying analysis of all levels of football since 2007. He is a former running back at Louisiana-Lafayette and knows the game from a player’s perspective. Hunt’s dedication to analysis of all levels of college and professional football helped him start the USFL season 24-18, including a 12-6 record over the last five weeks.
In addition, Hunt has gone an amazing 18-4 on his last 22 picks involving the Falcons, returning $1,372. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, Hunt has zeroed in on Falcons vs. Jets and just locked in his NFL picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks and analysis. Here are the NFL odds and betting lines for Jets vs. Falcons:
- Falcons vs. Jets spread: Falcons -2.5
- Falcons vs. Jets Over-Under: 39 points
- Falcons vs. Jets money line: Atlanta -150, New York +130
- ATL: The Falcons are 5-2-1 ATS in their last eight road games
- NYJ: Over is 6-2 in Jets last eight home games
- Falcons vs. Jets picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Falcons can cover
Running back Qadree Ollison is looking to carve out a role in the backfield. Ollison has strong vision and burst as he explodes through the hole. The 2019 fifth-round pick owns solid contact balance and owns the power to gain additional yards. Ollison has five carries for 33 yards in limited action.
Cornerback Dee Alford is making a positive impression on the coaching staff as he looks to separate himself. Alford has made plays all summer and that translated to the field last week. The 24-year-old led the team in total tackles with eight while snagging an interception. Linebacker Dorian Etheridge is an instinctive defender who plays fast against the run. Etheridge also played well in the preseason opener. He was second on the team in tackles (seven) including one pass deflection.
Why the Jets can cover
With quarterback Zach Wilson getting hurt against the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason-opener, we shouldn’t expect the starters to play much if they play at all. Quarterback Joe Flacco may only see the field for a series, but look for Mike White to play. White is an accurate passer who knows the offensive system extremely well. He wants to get the ball out of his hand quickly. In the preseason opener, the 2018 fifth-round pick went 10-for-20 for 98 yards.
Tight end Lawrence Cager is fighting to make the roster and impressed the coaching staff against the Eagles. He led the team with two catches for 40 yards, using his yards-after-catch ability. Receiver Denzel Mims is another playmaker hoping to make an impact. Mims owns strong speed with the size to out-jump defenders. He snagged two passes for 25 yards in the preseason opener.
How to make Jets vs. Falcons picks
Hunt is leaning Over on the total, and he has discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He’s only sharing what it is, and who to back, at SportsLine.
Who wins Falcons vs. Jets on Monday? And which critical X-factor makes one side of the spread hit hard? Visit SportsLine now to see the top Jets vs. Falcons picks, all from the NFL expert who’s on an 18-4 run on picks involving Atlanta, and find out.