Five Jets Bets From A Tortured Fan: NFL Week 13 vs Eagles

The Week 13 matchup between the New York Jets (3-8) and Philadelphia Eagles (5-7) has been circled on my calendar for months.

Not because Sunday afternoon’s showdown at MetLife Stadium is some sort of heavyweight bout between title contenders. Let’s be serious — these teams are heading nowhere fast.

Rather, it’s because this tortured Jets fan from North Jersey shares a similar lack of affinity for Philly sports that all New York fans have.

Although neither my favorite football team nor baseball team shares a division with Philadelphia, my hoops and hockey teams do.

Then, add in the fact I currently live smack dab in the middle of Eagles country (South Jersey), and this game is purely about bragging rights.

Oh, and beefing my depleted sports betting bankroll which now stands at a pathetic -$82.23.

After two weeks off, here are my five $5 Jets bets for this game.

Betting the spread on Jets vs. Philly

The Jets are 6.5- to 7-point home underdogs to the Birds at NJ online sportsbooks.

It’s a fair point spread, in my opinion.

The Eagles are a better football team than the Jets.

Offensively, Philly puts up about 25 points per game. New York averages 18 PPG.

On the other side of the ball, the Eagles ‘D’ surrenders around 23 PPG. The NYJ give up the most points per game in the entire NFL: 30.

I’m not a math whiz, but that looks like a clear 7-point difference.

After watching both these teams play last week, my gut says NY will keep this game closer than a touchdown. But it’s not a strong feeling.

FanDuel Sportsbook is offering the “best” Jets odds on the 7-point spread at -114.

Coleman running for paydirt

If New York is going to have any chance in this game, running the football is going to have to be a priority.
Finding consistency in the run game has been a problem for the Jets all season. Gang Green has employed a running-back-by-committee approach most of the year.

The Jets are only averaging 86 yards per game on the ground, the fourth-fewest in the league. Meanwhile, Philadelphia has a respectable defensive unit that only gives up about 113 rushing yards per game.

Running back Tevin Coleman will get the bulk of NY’s carries on Sunday. He’s averaging about 4 yards a carry on 46 attempts this year. Coleman has yet to find the endzone in 2021.

I got $5 that says he scores a touchdown against Philadelphia. Bet365 is giving +220 odds.

First team to 10 points on Sunday will be…the J-E-T-S

Philadelphia’s offensive looked bad last week in a humiliating 13-7 loss to the lowly New York Giants (4-7). QB Jalen Hurts threw three picks, including one in the redzone at the end of the first half that visibly deflated the entire Eagles sideline.

The Jets clawed back from an early 14-3 hole to the Houston Texans (2-9) to come back and win 21-14. If NYJ Head Coach Robert Saleh is ever going to put his defensive stamp on an early game plan, this would be an ideal time to do it. The Jets’ defensive front can give Hurts and Co. fits if Saleh follows the Giants’ blueprint.

How about throwing a little green down on a bet that the NYJ will be the first team to score 10 points on Sunday? DraftKings Sportsbook put the odds at +170 the Jets win the race.

Jets #82 is a baller

The NYJ passing game is often tough to watch. It’s been that way as long as I’ve been a fan.

Vinny Testaverde is the highwater mark for good Jets QB play during my lifetime. Chad Pennington gets an honorable mention for mediocre consistency. Mark Sanchez has the most playoff wins in team history.

That, my friends, is being a Jets fan.

But one thing the NYJ always seem to have is scrappy, reliable wide receivers. Guys that are not superstars. They just get the job done.

Maynard. Toon. Chrebet. Walker. Coles. Cotchery. Crowder.

Wait…who?

Jamison Crowder has been the NYJ safety blanket since 2019.

If WR Corey Davis is out (he’s listed as questionable), then rookie WR Elijah Moore will be the second option behind Crowder.

Fox Bet NJ posted a Bet Boost at +225 odds for Crowder to get 50+ receiving yards and score a TD.

Hurts will put last week in the rearview mirror

Okay, so I’ve put my faith (and my money) in the Jets to play reasonably well.

Well, I also think a different Philadelphia team is going to be occupying the MetLife Stadium visitor’s locker room than the one who showed up (or didn’t?) last week.

Specifically, I expect Jalen Hurts to play well.

Truth be told, I was a Hurts doubter at the end of last season. The kid has shut me up this year.

Is he the long-term answer for Philly? I don’t know. Don’t really care, either.

But Hurts is good enough to get the Eagles into the playoffs. The team with the easiest remaining schedule in the NFL just needs to win out.

And Hurts is definitely good enough to beat the Jets.

I’m going back to Fox Bet NJ for another Bet Boost at +200. Jalen Hurts to throw for 150 or more yards and rush for 50 yards or more.