​

Despite the Broncos being 3-2 and sharing a lead in the AFC West, there was no ultimate fan signed up for the Jets-Broncos game in London ;(

But that’s OK, because rather than call on my backup QBs, I went across the field to the opposing team and cajoled my good friend Rick Laughland, a diehard JETS fan, to do this week’s Ultimate Fan Guide. And it is a fantastic read with really good insight into his team’s woes — which we hope continue just one more week!

Laughland hosts the Just Another Jets Podcast with Dan Feuerstein, which I have been a guest on for the last six years to preview the matchup because – fun fact! – since 2020, the Broncos and Jets have played each other every season. You can check out our conversation yesterday looking ahead to Sunday morning’s game.

But now you can enjoy Rick’s commentary and hope his prediction for his team’s loss on Sunday comes true!

Week 6: Broncos at Jets in London

MHR – This week’s matchup has the Broncos coming off a “statement win” over the Eagles (who now have lost to the Giants too, so there’s that) and the Jets coming off their fifth loss and the only winless team in the NFL. Is this the kind of setup where the JETS will finally get a win and the Broncos could easily lose by overlooking their annual AFC foe?
Rick Laughland: The Jets are coming off one of the worst performances by both of their lines. The offensive line did a horrendous job of protecting Justin Fields in Week 5, while the defensive front barely touched Dak Prescott last week. I expect for both those units to rebound, although defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has been pushing all the wrong buttons this year. The Jets are not capable of coming from behind with Justin Fields at quarterback. They need to play from in front and get on the scoreboard early if they’re going to stand a chance. Facing a stout Broncos front seven, I’m not banking on the Jets snapping their winless streak.

MHR – The Jets’ offensive line has already given up 15 sacks, and the Broncos defense has the most sacks and generates pressure at a higher rate than any team in the NFL. Does Justin Fields get mauled or is the Broncos’ pass rush humbled?
Rick Laughland: I think this depends on Tanner Engstrand’s game plan. The Jets’ offensive line excels in the run blocking scheme, but the offensive coordinator abandons the running game far too early when the team falls behind. The Jets hold claim to the NFL’s No. 3 rushing attack, although they are middle of the pack as far as rushing attempts are concerned. The only way the Jets are going to somewhat neutralize a ferocious Broncos’ pass rush is a steady diet of run.

MHR – Justin Fields is still a dual threat and if he can avoid the Broncos’ pressure, does he target whoever Riley Moss is covering?
Rick Laughland: The Jets lack a bonafide No. 2 wide receiver. Garrett Wilson has carried the passing offense, while rookie Mason Taylor does present matchup problems over the middle. Other than Justin Fields using Breece Hall as a security blanket, there are not many playmakers in New York’s wide receiving corps.

MHR – The Broncos’ running game has picked up over the past two weeks (as if Sean Payton finally heard all the screaming from Broncos Country to run the ball). How good is the Jets’ run defense? And would you prefer the Broncos run the ball or do you think your chances are better stopping us through the air?
Rick Laughland: The Jets have been plagued by poor tackling and run fits going back to Robert Saleh’s second year. New York tried to add beef up front with Harrison Phillips via trade, but the results have been mixed. I’d much prefer to keep Bo Nix in a one-dimensional game where he has to play from the pocket. The Jets secondary has been woeful. New York’s safeties are not only in the wrong spots in coverage, but they take terrible angles to ball carriers, which allows chunk yardage running plays as well. I’ll take my chances with the Jets front seven matching up with the Broncos rushing attack.

MHR – Bo Nix hasn’t quite been the standout most fans hoped for in his second year, but last week he showed a lot of mojo rallying the team to 18 unanswered points against the Eagles for a come-from-behind win. What about Nix’s game makes you the most nervous?
Rick Laughland: Nix’s ability to flow outside the pocket and make throws on the run creates a lot of headaches. The Jets have not been disciplined in their rushing lanes with defensive end Micheal Clemons often breaking containment and allowing rushing quarterbacks to get downhill. I think defenses are adjusting to Nix and making him play out of a phone booth, which will be the Jets’ recipe for success. Unfortunately, I have zero confidence that Steve Wilks will exploit this vulnerability.

MHR – Through five games, Breece Hall has 351 yards, a 5.3 yards per carry average, plus 17 catches for 150 yards. He is responsible for 25 of their first downs and already has over 500 all-purpose yards through five games. Obviously the flow of the Jets offense starts with Hall. The Broncos did a great job of limiting Saquon Barkley and the Eagles’ rushing attack last week, but got bulldozed by Jonathan Taylor in Week 2. Which Broncos’ defensive response to Hall do you expect on Sunday morning?
Rick Laughland: As much as I want to make this about the Broncos defense, it’s going to come down to whether the Jets are going to stay committed to the running game. As aforementioned, Engstrand tends to panic-throw when his team is down by double digits in the second half. Hall is a dual threat, and with enough attempts, he’d be a game breaker. Rex Ryan was always a big believer in volume rushing attempts over yards per carry. The bottom line is the Jets will need to feature a steady diet of Hall to wear down the Broncos’ front.

MHR – On the defensive side of the ball for the Jets, Sauce Gardner remains one of the best corners in the NFL and will likely go up against Courtland Sutton. Sutton is known for mastering the 50/50 balls, but can Gardner disrupt those enough this game? Which Broncos receiver not named Sutton has you the most concerned for your Jets D?
Rick Laughland: Gardner has been under fire from the fan base, but he’s actually adjusted well to more of a man-based scheme. The Jets’ defensive front has not produced enough pressure to alleviate some stress off of the secondary. Sauce’s Achilles heel has always been forcing turnovers and coming down with 50/50 balls. The Jets’ cornerback also gets very handsy downfield, so depending on the officiating crew’s perspective, pass interference calls are always a concern with him.

MHR – Looking to the future, the Jets primary focus in the 2025 NFL Draft was to improve their offense. They started off by picking Mizzou standout tackle Armand Membou in the first round and secured Mason Taylor to be their tight end of the future. Both players have performed well to start the season and look to be long-term solutions at that position for the franchise. What do you think of their impact on the improvement phase?
Rick Laughland: Newly hired GM Darren Mougey is off to a shaky start here in New York, but those two rookies are far and away the toast of the class. Membou has been an absolute beast as a run blocker, but he will need to refine his pass-blocking technique and footwork to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Taylor has been a matchup nightmare for a number of teams. His next step will be focusing on yards after the catch. Far too often he hauls in a pass and falls to the turf instead of turning his eyes upfield.

MHR – One of the Broncos’ best players this season, performance-wise, has been the rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw. How big of a deal will field position be in this game and how do you rate your team’s punt returns so far this season?
Rick Laughland: Field position is going to be absolutely huge in this contest. Playing across the pond always presents challenges to both teams and neutralizes the playing field. The Jets’ formula for success is winning the rushing battle, the time of possession battle, the turnover battle, and taking advantage of field position. Through five games, they’ve failed to check all of those boxes, so there’s no surprise that they’re 0-5 at this point.

MHR – I saw a headline on Gang Green Nation that read, “The futility of tanking” (something I definitely agree with). But the fact that that headline is up there before Week SIX??? Have Jets fans given up? What about the players?
Rick Laughland: I can only speak from my vantage point, but beyond the wins and losses, this season was supposed to be about setting a new tone for the organization. Aaron Glenn came in with swagger and established himself as the alpha dog in the room. Unfortunately, all of same mental mistakes and errors that plagued the team during Robert Saleh’s tenure have actually accelerated during Glenn’s first five games. While the Jets may finish with the fewest wins in the NFL this year, I think fans are looking for signs of encouragement and a new culture being built here. The jury is still out on whether Glenn can handle a head coaching job, specifically in the pressure-cooker that is New York.

MHR – Which ONE player on offense and ONE player on defense has to be an MVP on Sunday for the Jets to win? Which one offensive and defensive player for the Broncos are you most worried about?
Rick Laughland: Defensively, Quinnen Williams needs to lead the way. He’s easily the Jets’ most well-rounded defender. Williams has been quiet the past few weeks, but I’m counting on a breakout performance from him. Offensively, Breece Hall is the Jets’ Swiss army knife. I’m confident he will do his part, but will the coaching staff give him enough touches, especially later in the game, to put the Jets in position to win?

MHR – Although the Jets haven’t won a game, I don’t see this as an easy, blowout win (of course, I NEVER do when it comes to the Broncos!) How do you think this game will go and which team do you realistically think will come out the winner?
Rick Laughland: I think this will be a relatively low-scoring, slugfest-type of game. I can see the Jets finally breaking through and forcing their first turnover of the season on Bo Nix. With that being said, I cannot in good conscience pick the Jets to win based on how they have performed so far this season. I think this becomes a late field goal game with the Jets’ leaky pass coverage folding in a big moment. I think the Broncos take this game, 20-17.

MHR – Despite the record, how do you feel about your team? The new head coach? No longer having Aaron Rodgers? What does your team need most to get back to winning?
Rick Laughland: Aaron Glenn is easy to root for since he has a great story. A homegrown Jet that was drafted by the organization, developed into an All-Pro player under Bill Parcells and came back to coach the team. That’s the stuff only found in storybooks! Unfortunately, this game is not played on paper. Glenn’s message of discipline and high-IQ football is not resonating with his players. The Jets’ head coach has not shown the ability to manage late-game situations well or make the necessary second-half adjustments to put his team in a good position. At some point, Glenn needs to take the defensive play-calling duties away from Wilks, but he seems reluctant to do so. Until the Jets find a long-term solution at quarterback and they shore up their scheme on defense, they’re going to be languishing at the bottom of the AFC.

Predictions

Stats for BO NIX? 26 of 38, 232yds, 1 Pass TD, 1 Rush TD, 1INT, 24 rushing yards

Stats for JUSTIN FIELDS? 19 of 29, 201 yds, 1 Pass TD, 1 Rush TD, 0 INT, 64 rushing yards

Stats for JK Dobbins? 22 attempts, 87 yds

Stats for Breece Hall? 21 attempts 105 yds, 1TD, 49 receiving yds

Stats for Garrett Wilson? 6 receptions 82 yards 1TD

Other receivers? Mason Taylor 4 receptions, 49 yds

Stats for Courtland Sutton? 8 receptions, 72 yds, 1TD

Longest FG from Lutz this week? 51

Longest FG from Folk this week? 47

Number of sacks to Justin Fields? 4

Number of sacks to Bo Nix? 2

Who gets the first sack of the game for the Broncos? John Franklin-Myers (Ex-Jet 🤦)

Who gets the most sacks? JFM

Who gets a pick-six? No one

How many INTs/FF/FR for the Jets D? 1int/1FF/0FR

How many INTs/FF/FR for the Broncos D? 0int/1FF/1FR

How many penalties between the two teams? 12 penalties, 82 yds

Final Score? 20-17 Broncos

The Favorites

Favorite Jets win ever? 2011 AFC Divisional Round Playoffs, Jets 28-New England 21.

Favorite Jets-Broncos game ever? October 8, 2023, Jets 31-Broncos 21. Jets avoided a 1-4 start and Breece Hall rushed for 177 yards, including a 72-yarder late in the third quarter to put them ahead for good.

Team you love to beat the most in the AFC? New England Patriots

Coach you despise most in the NFL? It used to be Bill Belichick, but Mike McDaniel is making a strong case, currently.

Team you hate to lose to the most in the AFC? New England Patriots

NFC team you could cheer for in the Super Bowl? Detroit Lions

NFC team you’d want to face more than any other in the Super Bowl? Detroit Lions

Toughest game remaining on the schedule? Buffalo Bills on the road.

Favorite Jets player on your current roster? Garrett Wilson

Favorite new guy/rookie on the team? Armand Membou

Food/Snack you have to eat on game day? Anything I can throw on the tailgate grill with a cold beer.

Favorite game analyst/commentator? Ian Eagle & JJ Watt

How did you become a Jets fan?

My mom signed me up for the Jets kid fan club when I was very little. Like every woman growing up in her generation, she was a big fan of Joe Namath. I like to say that I grew up in a split household, with my dad following the Giants and my mom the Jets, but it made for an exciting childhood watching football. My dad is also from Donora, Pennsylvania, a stone’s throw from Namath’s hometown in Beaver Falls. Rooting for the Jets has built character and when they turn things around, it will make things that much sweeter after all the battle scars collected over the years.

See More: