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This week’s Thursday Night Football matchup will feature the New York Jets and Denver Broncos, two 0-3 teams, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Broncos have been decimated by injuries, losing star linebacker Von Miller and wide receiver Courtland Sutton for the season. Starting quarterback Drew Lock injured in his shoulder in Week 2 and is expected to miss several weeks. Jeff Driskel has been starting in his place.
The Jets have been riddled by injuries too, most notably No. 1 receiver Jamison Crowder who’s missed the past two weeks with a hamstring injury. New York has been terrible offensively, ranking dead last in the NFL points and yards. Third-year QB Sam Darnold hasn’t been able to build on his strong finish to the 2019 season, posting a dismal 70.7 QB rating so far in 2020.
But who knows, maybe this game between two bottom-dwellers will be a good one. Here is how you can tune in, along with some pertinent stats, odds, injury news and notable fantasy start/sit considerations.
TV Info
Date: Thursday, Oct. 1
Time: 8:20 p.m. EST
Channel: NFL Network
Broadcast map
Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)
Broncos: 26th vs. Pass, 14th vs. Rush
Jets: 31st vs. Pass, 3rd vs. Rush
DraftKings Sportsbook odds
Broncos: -1, -103
Jets: +1, -112
Total: 39.5
Injury report
Broncos
Coming Wednesday
Jets
Coming Wednesday
Fantasy football start/sit advice
Broncos
Noah Fant, TE, $5,800
With Sutton out for the year, Fant has emerged as the Broncos’ top receiving threat, leading the team in catches (14), yards (184) and touchdowns (2). And this is as good of week as any to start him. The Jets have allowed three touchdowns to tight ends over the past two weeks.
Melvin Gordon, RB, $6,900
Phillip Lindsay has missed two straight games and seems unlikely to return Thursday since it’s a short week. That means more touches for Melvin Gordon, who’s averaging 58 rushing yards per game, is a decent receiving threat, and is Denver’s goal line back. Thursday could be one of the few games on the schedule where the Broncos can grab a lead and lean on Gordon and their ground game.
Jets
Frank Gore, RB, $4,400
The Jets’ offense is horrific, but you can at least count on Gore getting touches. He’s had 15 or more carries in each of the past two weeks. The downside is he has only caught one pass all season and doesn’t get many carries in the red zone because the Jets don’t get there very often.
Braxton Berrios, WR, $4,600
The Jets receiving corps has been destroyed by injuries, but Berrios has managed to stay healthy and productive, currently sitting as the team’s leading receiver. He caught four passes for 64 yards and a touchdown against the Colts after reeling in six passes for 59 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers. Berrios won’t be as appealing if Crowder and/or Breshad Perriman return to the lineup, so that’s something to keep an eye on.