Seahawks Set to Face Jets This Sunday

On Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, the Seattle Seahawks (6-5) will go head-to-head with the New York Jets (3-8) in a matchup airing on Fox. According to BetMGM NFL odds, Seattle is favored by 2 points in the game. This matchup will highlight a battle between two teams with varying records against the spread: the Seahawks at 4-6-1 and the Jets at 3-8. Notably, the Seahawks hold a lead in their all-time series against the Jets with a record of 13-8. The last contest between these two teams saw the Seahawks defeat the Jets 23-6 in Seattle on January 1, 2023.

Both teams enter this game with contrasting recent performances. Seattle managed to secure a victory against the Arizona Cardinals last week, ending the game with a score of 16-6. Meanwhile, the Jets had a bye week after a narrow defeat against the Indianapolis Colts on November 17, where they lost 28-27.

Examining the offensive stats, the Seahawks rank 12th overall, with their passing game performing impressively at second in the league, while their rushing game sits at 28th. Conversely, the Jets are struggling offensively, ranked 27th, particularly their rushing attack, which is 30th. In terms of scoring, Seattle ranks 15th while New York is at 27th. On the defensive side, the Seahawks find themselves at 20th overall, allowing them to escape with a scoring rank of 14. The Jets, on the other hand, boast the 8th overall defensive ranking, with their pass defense coming in at 2nd and rush defense at 22nd.

When it comes to turnover differentials, the Seahawks have a minus-6 and the Jets are slightly better at minus-3. Looking at the individual players, Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a standout to watch; he has recently become an integral part of Seattle’s offense with two games exceeding 100 yards in the past three weeks. He will face a tough challenge against a formidable Jets pass defense.

For the Jets, much attention will be on quarterback Aaron Rodgers. As he approaches his 41st birthday, Rodgers is trying to shake off a lackluster performance in his last outing. Despite completing 22 of 29 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns, his sluggish start has raised questions about his form this season, where he has played through significant leg injuries. As he reassesses his future with the Jets, Rodgers has stated that he has not ruled out playing in 2025, should the opportunity arise with New York.

A key matchup to pay attention to will be between Seattle’s passing game and New York’s secondary. The Seahawks have made a name for themselves in the passing department, ranking second overall, with Geno Smith distributing the ball effectively among notable targets like D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Smith-Njigba. Meanwhile, the Jets’ secondary, featuring defensive backs like Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Michael Carter II, ranks second in the league, suggesting a high-stakes duel between the two units.

In terms of injuries, the Seahawks will be without right guard Anthony Bradford due to an ankle injury sustained last week against Arizona. Bradford’s absence will likely open the door for rookie Christian Haynes to step up, while he competes with fellow rookie Sataoa Laumea for the starting spot. For the Jets, running back Breece Hall missed practice due to a knee injury, raising questions about his availability for this game. Additionally, left tackle Tyron Smith is expected to remain sidelined due to a neck injury, potentially placing him on the injured reserve list. Meanwhile, linebacker C.J. Mosley appears to be recovering and was seen practicing after missing the past four games because of a herniated disk in his neck.

Historically, the Seahawks have had the upper hand in recent meetings, having won the last five games against the Jets. The last victory for New York in this series occurred at home on December 19, 2004. The Seahawks’ inaugural meeting occurred in 1977, where they won 17-0. Seattle also holds a perfect 6-0 record at MetLife Stadium, which includes their previous matches against the Giants and a Super Bowl victory.

Statistically, the Seahawks are performing well in the Eastern time zone, boasting an 18-7 record, including playoffs, since 2018. Their defensive efforts have markedly improved, ranking fourth in the league since Week 9, yielding only 16.3 points per game. As Seattle shares the lead in the NFC West, they are on the brink of achieving 400 regular-season wins. Individual accomplishments are also within reach, with Geno Smith aiming to tie a franchise record for most 300-yard passing games in a season, while Tyler Lockett is close to surpassing Marshawn Lynch in total touchdowns for the team. D.K. Metcalf, for his part, needs just 13 receiving yards to break a franchise record for yards attained in a player’s first six seasons.

As a fantasy tip, Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III may be primed for a resurgence, despite a recent downturn in performance.

As the day of the game approaches, both teams will be keen to showcase their strengths and address their weaknesses in hopes of making significant strides in their respective seasons.