The New York Jets enter Week 3 with an opportunity to make a statement against the Detroit Lions.
Head coach Aaron Glenn returns to the Motor City for the first time as a head coach. The Jets defense enters the week ranked first in total yards allowed, and New York (1-1) is still searching for the offensive consistency needed to complement its strong defensive play.
Predicting NFL games is never easy, but that's what makes bold predictions fun.
Here are Jets Wire's five for Sunday's matchup as New York tries to improve to 2-1:
Geno Smith posts a passer rating above 100
If there's a week for Geno Smith to deliver his most efficient performance of the season, this feels like it. Detroit's secondary has struggled through the first two weeks, and the Jets have enough weapons to take advantage
if Smith gets adequate protection.
New York has moved the ball effectively at times this season but hasn't always finished drives or avoided costly mistakes. This week, Smith puts together a cleaner performance. He throws multiple touchdown passes, avoids turnovers, and finishes the afternoon with a passer rating north of 100.
Breece Hall and Braelon Allen both find the end zone
The Jets have made it clear they want a balanced offensive attack, and their backfield gives them the personnel to accomplish it. Hall remains one of the offense's most explosive players, while Allen has shown encouraging signs after a strong training camp and productive start to the season.
Detroit's defense will focus heavily on limiting New York's passing game, creating opportunities for the running backs to make an impact. By the end of the afternoon, both Hall and Allen have touchdown celebrations to their names.
The Jets hold Detroit under 200 total yards
This is where the predictions start getting truly bold. Detroit has plenty of offensive talent, and keeping any NFL team under 200 total yards is a difficult task. That said, the Jets have been dominant defensively through two weeks, ranking first in total defense and near the top of the league against both the run and the pass.
If Aaron Glenn's unit continues playing at its current level, it could turn in its most impressive performance of the season.
New York finally comes away with two interceptions
The prediction didn't work out last week, but there's no reason to abandon it now. The Jets have been around the football throughout the first two games. Defensive backs have gotten their hands on passes, pressure has forced hurried throws and the opportunities have been there.
The missing ingredient has been actually finishing the play. This week, that changes... for real this time. New York turns a pair of errant throws into interceptions and gives its offense valuable extra possessions.
The Jets win on a late field goal
Would it really be a bold predictions piece without forecasting a dramatic finish? The Lions are too talented to go away quietly, and the Jets haven't shown enough offensive consistency to suggest they'll comfortably pull away on the road. Expect a close game that remains undecided deep into the fourth quarter.
In the final minutes, New York's offense does just enough to move into scoring range. The Jets' kicker converts the game-winning field goal as time winds down, giving Glenn a memorable victory in his return to Detroit and sending New York home with its second win of the season.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets vs. Lions: Bold predictions for Week 3 in Detroit
