Thursday Night Football will see the New York Jets travel to take on the Denver Broncos tonight. The game is scheduled for an 8:20 pm kickoff and the game will be televised nationally on NFL Network. The Jets are favored in this matchup by 6 points with the total being set at 40 points. This is the second game for the NFL Network on consecutive Thursday's as the league will play every week until the final week of the season.
Free Analysis: The Jets come into tonight's contest off a beatdown at home to the New England Patriots on Sunday. Tim Tebow has led the Broncos to three wins in their last four games, with all three victories coming on the road. Tonight's contest will see both teams obviously playing on a short week, and the Jets find themselves in a situation where they almost need to win. New York has won three of their last five games as well, but the two losses game in division to heated rival New England. The Jets offensively haven't been very good this season. However, they've scored when they've needed to and that's why they find themselves currently at 5-4. Denver, on the same token, has struggled offensively, at least throwing the football. The Broncos have played old-school football since Tebow took over the quarterbacking duties. Essentially, they line up and run the football. The Jets are about middle of the pack against the run this season, allowing just over 115 yards per game. That defense alone has kept them in games this season and will play a huge role in tonight's contest. Tebow and the Broncos haven't proved to be able to throw the football yet but to be fair, they haven't needed to. That might change tonight, especially if they get behind. If the Jets are able to get a healthy advantage in this game of close to 10 points, I think it's going to be tough for Denver to rally the troops and make a game of it. Knowshon Moreno is out for the year for Denver but Willis McGahee has helped step up and carry the load with Lance Ball. If Jets' QB Mark Sanchez doesn't turn it over and Tebow doesn't somehow complete a bevy of passes, I don't see how the Broncos stay in this game.
Free Pick: I know laying a touchdown in the NFL is quite often a recipe for disaster, especially in a game like this where it's the only NFL contest on the card. However, with the Jets NEEDING to win this football game and the Broncos being so one dimensional on offense, I look for the Jets to take control early and never let up. I'd be surprised if the Broncos didn't fall behind early and try to play catch-up. They've ran the ball very well this season, but New York's rush defense has been better than average this season. I think that makes a big difference tonight. Give me the Jets and lay the 6 points.
Free Picks: Jets at Broncos Betting
Have the Jets dream been crushed and How do you handicap Tebow plus other factors NFL bettors need to know about Jets at Broncos (Thursday, November 17, 2011) from Pregame.com - Including predictions from Marco D'Angelo and analysis from host RJ Bell.