Tomasson's scouting report: Broncos at Jets

The Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson gives his scouting report for Sunday’s game between the Broncos and Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Offense

Broncos' rookie quarterback Bo Nix shook off a tough first two games to break loose in last Sunday’s 26-7 win at Tampa Bay. He completed 25 of 36 passes for 216 yards and threw downfield well. The Broncos are hoping they might have found some life in the running game with Tyler Badie carrying nine times for 70 yards as the No. 3 back. Backs Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin have struggled. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is rounding into form after being lost last season on the fourth play in the opener with a torn Achilles. He threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-3 win over New England in Week 3. The Jets are seeking improved running by Breece Hall, averaging 3.7 yards per carry.

Advantage: Jets

Defense

Denver’s defense is getting better each week. After shutting down quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers, the Broncos are third in the NFL in total defense and sixth in points allowed. They had seven sacks at Tampa Bay, including two by outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman. Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper has three sacks on the season. But Denver must replace linebacker Alex Singleton, out for the season with a torn ACL. The Jets also have a stout unit, ranking seventh in total defense and eighth in points allowed. Defensive end Will McDonald is second in the NFL with five sacks and tackle Quinnen Williams is a two-time Pro Bowl selection who is rugged in the middle.

Advantage: Broncos

Coaching

After there was plenty of grumbling about Sean Payton’s offense in the first two games, it looked much better against the Buccaneers. Nix is Payton’s handpicked quarterback, and he showed plenty of signs at Tampa Bay that he can end up being what the head coach has envisioned. The coaching matchup is one between the offensive-oriented Payton and the defensive-oriented Robert Saleh, who is 20-34 in his fourth Jets season. Saleh had great success as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator from 2017-20. He had strong defenses in 2022 and 2023, but the offense struggled. Rodgers being healthy has at least now helped his cause.

Advantage: Broncos

Intangibles

Payton and Rodgers have both said that Payton’s comments to USA Today in July 2023 blasting former Denver head coach and current Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett are old news. But the Jets used the comments as a rallying cry in a 31-21 win in October at Denver last October and perhaps there still could be some additional incentive. The winds at MetLife Stadium can be tricky so the familiarity could help Jets kickers and punters. The Broncos are well adjusted to the Eastern Time Zone after playing at Tampa Bay and spending the week practicing in West Virginia before coming in face the Jets.

Advantage: Jets