New York Jets vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Jets is one of those games you would normally watch on the Thursday night NFL schedule, and imagine that this could be skipped so late in the season. At the start of the season, scheduling this game on Thursday night in December seemed like a dud. Suddenly, this game has significant playoff implications for both teams, making it one of the more intriguing games on the Week 16 list. All the stakes aside, this is a battle between the top two picks in the 2021 NFL draft. Zach Wilson won the first head-to-head match against Trevor Lawrence in a 26-21 Jets win in New York last year.

Not much was expected of either side this year, with three weeks to go before the end of the regular season they are in the midst of the AFC’s postseason mix. Jacksonville has its sights set on a division title. Even at 6-8, the Jags are just a game behind the AFC South-leading Tennessee Titans. who could do without QB Ryan Tannehill for the rest of the season. In New York, the Jets are eliminated from the AFC East Division title race but remain steadfast in the battle for the final wildcard spot, 7-7.

Neither can afford to lose, and neither wants a draw, so this should be a good one. A loss would not completely eliminate Jacksonville as the Jags take on the Titans in their final game of the season in Jacksonville. Judging by how Tennessee has been playing lately, the Jags should still have a chance in Week 18 as long as they’re no more than a game behind the Titans. Jacksonville defeated Tennessee 36-22 in Week 14. All they have to do is finish with the same record and beat the Titans a second time and they win the South.

A month ago, the Titans had the division firmly under control, but after four straight losses and the Jags winning three of their last four games, the AFC South has become a tight race towards the end of the season. This week 18 showdown on January 8th looks set to be divisional marbles for everyone.

In the case of the Jets, any divisional hope is lost, but they are just one game behind the Chargers and Dolphins for one of the last two wildcard spots. New York needs a bounce back win more than any other team in the NFL after losing three straight games. They were 7-4 a few weeks ago and looked set for their first postseason appearance since 2010. A loss to Jacksonville this week could make breaking that streak almost impossible.

With Mike White still ineligible to play, the Jets will once again challenge former No. 2 overall winner Zach Wilson. Despite a 5-3 record, Wilson was mediocre at best — and that’s nice. He’s the ultimate example of a team winning in spite of the game, not because of it. These superb Jets defense must be at their best as Wilson cannot be trusted to carry this team. The Jets went 4-0 when Wilson returned from injury in Week 4 but have only a 1-3 record since that winning streak ended.

While the record isn’t as polished, Trevor Lawrence is head and shoulders above Wilson in almost every major QB stat category you can name. It’s not just on paper either. look Laurentius pop up and you’ll see what all the hype is about. This kid is good and finally looking like he’s shaping up into the QB that everyone proclaimed was from Clemson. And, of course, he wants some revenge after losing his first head-to-head with Wilson last season. Lawrence was the #1 pick in the same draft as Wilson, so these two players will be linked forever.