On game days, MetLife Stadium, the home of the Jets and Giants, is protected by the New Jersey State Police. With the Seahawks coming to town to play the Jets, perhaps Seattle wide receiver Doug Baldwin can offer some tips to the troopers.
“I think that right now, I’m really focused on the training for law enforcement because I think that’s where we can have the most impact directly, and as soon as possible,” Baldwin told Showtime’s 60 Minutes Sports.
He will encounter hundreds of troopers at the stadium. Maybe he can pull them aside and get the re-training under way.
As for this Sunday’s games, the Jets-Seahawks might be the best contest on the slate. Let’s preview the action…
Seattle Seahawks (2-1) at New York Jets (1-2)
Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis called this a “must-win” game for his team.
The talented Seahawks coming to town makes for a far from ideal “must-win” game.
If Seattle QB Russell Wilson were healthy, this game might be an easy win for Seattle. But the usually mobile quarterback plays with two serious leg injuries, a high-ankle sprain and an MCL knee ailment. On top of this, his offensive line isn’t very good, and the Jets’ defensive line is one of the best in football.
So this game is a toss-up.
Buffalo Bills (1-2) at New England Patriots (3-0)
The New England Patriots have a chance to go 4-0 during Tom Brady’s suspension with a win over Buffalo. Who’d a thunk it?
The Bills put star receiver Sammy Watkins on injured reserve, and key backup wideout Greg Salas is out, so Buffalo is short weaponry.
The Patriots last played on Thursday Night Football, so Bill Belichick had 10 days to prepare. He’s usually lethal with extra time in the war room.
If Patriots #2 QB Jimmy Garrappolo (shoulder sprain) plays, New England should win. If he doesn’t, this game could go either way.
Carolina Panthers (1-2) at Atlanta Falcons (2-1)
The Panthers are probably happy to get out of Charlotte for a couple of days. Recently, there’s been rioting and looting there, and they train and play very close to the impacted area. Last week in a home loss to Minnesota, they seemed distracted. Case in point — QB Cam Newton didn’t throw a single pass to wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, a transcendent talent. Don’t expect that to happen again.
Atlanta is coming off a win at New Orleans, but it’s hard to judge them by that game because the Saints had myriad starters out.
This game is a toss-up.
Cleveland Browns (0-3) at Washington Redskins (1-2)
The Cleveland Browns are dysfunctional mess.
This past week, wide receiver Josh Gordon entered rehab again, and cops arrested guard Alvin Bailey for failure to comply, drug abuse, drug paraphernalia, and operating an unsafe vehicle.
On top of all that, they are really beat up, with several players out, including starting receiver Corey Coleman and defensive end Carl Nassib.
The Redskins should win this game, especially at home.
Indianapolis Colts (1-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3)
By the time you see this, this game might be over; it’s being played in London at 9:30 a.m. Eastern.
If the Jaguars lose and slip to 0-4, coach Gus Bradley could be looking for work this week.
Dallas Cowboys (2-1) at San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
49ers backup quarterback-activist Colin Kapernick outdid himself following Monday night’s presidential debate.
Republican candidate Donald Trump’s slogan is “Make America Great Again.” Kaepernick said on Tuesday, “Let’s make America great again for the first time.”
Keapernick should read a book about D-Day.
Dallas might be without the left side of the offensive line due to injuries, and San Francisco has a talented defensive line.
This game could go either way.
Denver Broncos (3-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-2)
Bucs coach Dirk Koetter thinks his team needs a culture change after a 1-2 start and five straight losing seasons.
“We’re just missing something, I feel like, and as my title suggests, it’s my job to speak up,” Koetter said. “I feel like sometimes we find too many ways to lose a game instead of creating ways to win a game. Now, when I say that, I put myself right at the top. I’m No. 1 on that list. So I’m not calling out any player or any coach above myself, but that’s just how I feel.”
Beating the defending Super Bowl champions would be a good way to start a culture change.
Detroit Lions (1-2) and Chicago Bears (0-3)
Yawn.
Two beat-up teams heading in the wrong direction.
The Lions are ravaged, with both starting defensive ends and three linebackers hurt.
The Bears signed long-time Lions running back Joique Bell this week, so he likely provided them great intel on Detroit’s playbook.
It’s not out of the realm that the Bears find a way to win this game.
Los Angeles Rams (2-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
The Cardinals gave up 208-yards rushing last week in Buffalo.
They better get their act together with talented Rams tailback Todd Gurley coming to the desert.
The Rams should be a formidable opponent, but expect Arizona to find a way to win at home.
New Orleans Saints (0-3) at San Diego Chargers (1-2)
Both these teams have so many injuries, this is tough game to call.
The Chargers might be without 3/5th of their offensive line and star tight end Antonio Gates. Their injured reserve list is a who’s who of key players.
Don’t be surprised if the Saints get their first win. QB Drew Brees is highly-motivated against the team that dumped him for Philip Rivers.
Oakland Raiders (2-1) at Baltimore Ravens (3-0)
The Ravens get star pass rusher Elvis Dumervil back from a foot injury, and the Raiders might be playing their third-string right tackle, with Menelik Watson and Austin Howard out.
Oakland is much-improved this year, but winning in Baltimore with offensive line problems in a noisy stadium might not be in the cards.
Tennessee Titans (1-2) and Houston Texans (2-1)
With the Texans’ offense stagnant, head coach Bill O’Brien will take over the play calling.
Houston will need more from their offense, with star defensive end J.J. Watt out for the year after re-injuring his back.
The Texans should find a way to win at home.
Kansas City Chiefs (2-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)
The Chiefs played the last two games without both starting guards. They get them back this week, along with star tailback Jamaal Charles, who hasn’t played since last November due to a knee injury.
The Steelers are coming off an embarrassing blow-out loss last week in Philadelphia, but list seven players “out” on their injury report, including key starters, guard Ramon Foster and linebacker Ryan Shazier.
These two teams look very evenly-matched, and this game could go either way.
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