Free Press reporter Christian Romo breaks down the Detroit Lions' Week 3 matchup against the New York Jets and gives his prediction.
Detroit Lions (1-1) at New York Jets (1-1)
The coaches: Lions − Dan Campbell (54-44-1 overall, 49-37-1 with Lions); Jets − Aaron Glenn (4-15 overall).
Last game: Lions lost to the Bills, 41-31; Jets lost to Green Bay Packers, 20-17 (OT).
Last meeting:
Dec. 18, 2022; Lions won 20-17.Key matchups
D.J. Reed vs Garrett Wilson
Now healed from a knee sprain that knocked him out for most of 2025, Garrett Wilson is New York’s most talented wideout and leads the team in receptions (11) and yards (136) through the first two games of 2026. And now with veteran Geno Smith as his quarterback, Wilson is averaging 12.4 yards per reception, the most since his rookie season in 2022 (13.3).
So while the Ohio State
product might be salivating to take on an ailing Lions secondary, Detroit will counter with top cornerback D.J. Reed, who was Wilson’s teammate for three seasons in New York. And though Wilson probably sees few of the league’s cornerbacks as a sincere challenge, years of practice reps have Reed prepared for this matchup better than most defensive backs.
There is the question of Reed’s foot, however. The cornerback was questionable heading into Week 2’s 41-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills with a foot ailment, and even though he has been available at practice this week, he might not be at 100%. And that could be a big problem for the Lions, because with safety Avonte Maddox now out for the season, things could get ugly for Detroit’s defense if Reed can’t knock Wilson off balance.
Aaron Glenn vs Dan Campbell
The Lions face Glenn, their former defensive coordinator, more than a season after the Jets made him their coach, with Lions coach Dan Campbell looking to go 3-0 against his former coordinators. But Glenn may not make that so easy this time around having already put his defensive stamp on a Jets team slowly rising to a cruising altitude.
Through two games, the Jets have the NFL’s No. 1 total defense at 197 yards per game. To put that into perspective, last year’s top defense (Houston Texans) allowed more than 80 more total yards per game than the Jets – though Glenn and Gang Green have benefitted from facing the lowly Tennessee Titans and the struggling Green Bay Packers so far this season. With Glenn having some inside Detroit knowledge, he may have the upper hand against a Lions offense that might need to score 40 points a game to feel safe.
Then again, the 2025 Lions (who finished last in the NFC North, if you needed a reminder) made two wins over former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and the division-winning Chicago Bears look routine, outscoring Chicago 71-33 in their two divisional matchups. Glenn has the benefit of an extra year of experience over Johnson when facing Campbell, but of all the games on the 2026 schedule, this is the one Campbell might be most embarrassed to lose.
Scouting report
Lions offense vs Jets defense
This quietly could be the most intriguing matchup of the week, with Detroit’s top-five scoring offense (31 points per game) going up against New York’s menacing defense. At least it could be menacing – this is the same Jets franchise that became the first team in NFL history not to record a single interception in a season in 2025, after all.
The Lions should have starting right tackle Blake Miller back, which is good news for Detroit. That should help cut down on penalties, help in pass protection and especially help create holes for running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who is a much better rusher than anyone the Jets have faced this season. The Jets run defense is stout enough to keep Gibbs under 100 yards rushing, but the Lions may not need Gibbs to be Superman.
That’s because the Jets are going through their own injury issues in the secondary, as well. Three-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who joined the Jets from the Miami Dolphins ahead of this season, is expected to miss Sunday’s game with a groin injury. That should give the green light to go deep for Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, who has yet to record a catch longer than 22 yards this season. Expect him and quarterback Jared Goff to change that.
Lions defense vs Jets offense
Considering the Lions only have one healthy defensive back they can consistently rely on, in Reed, and considering the Jets have gotten underwhelming production so far from starting running back Breece Hall, it’s fair to expect the Jets to throw the ball a lot on Sunday. That means the Jets are likely putting their hopes on the passing abilities of 36-year-old starter Geno Smith, back in New York after a failed four-year stint with the Jets (2013-16) to start his career.
While Smith is not the first-round bust he showed to be in his first stint in New York, he’s also not the two-time Pro Bowler he was as a three-year starter for the Seattle Seahawks from 2022-24. At this point in his career, Smith looks more like a low-level starter or a high-quality backup – one who can still make big-time throws but one who has flaws that have followed him throughout his career.
While starting for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, Smith led the NFL in interceptions (17) and sacks taken (55). Part of that came from playing behind a bad offensive line, but most comes from decision-making, especially with Smith’s tendency to hold onto the ball a bit too long.
The Lions can exploit that flaw with their pass rush, especially with edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson looking like a monster over his first two games. Smith is likely to find some holes in Detroit’s secondary, especially on deep throws, but if Hutchinson and company can record a handful of sacks and force a turnover or two, it should be enough to cover the weaknesses in Detroit’s pass defense.
Christian Romo's prediction
The Jets might be better than people expected this season, but it’s impossible to tell at this point if they’re good, as eye-popping as their defensive numbers look through two games. Consistency matters, though, and the unit you should trust the most in this game is the Lions offense. With this level of talent, it shouldn't surprise anyone if the Lions put up 40 points on Glenn and this Jets defense (or any defense, for that matter). Concerns about Detroit’s secondary are warranted and will probably continue until safety Brian Branch is back and looks healthy. But remember: Geno Smith is not Josh Allen. The pick: Lions 31, Jets 20.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions vs Jets scouting report, prediction for NFL Week 3
