Apparently, predicting that the New York teams are going to lose is a safe bet. Who knew? After sweeping last week, Mac’s Picks is 13-11 overall (8-4 on Giants games and 5-7 on Jets games).
New York Jets (3-9) at Miami Dolphins (5-7)
Sunday 1p CBS
There’s no point in piling on at this point in the season, so let’s try and give you reasons to watch the Jets on Sunday at 1p. First, the weather in Miami is going to be beautiful (78 and sunny). Second, while we have pointed out that the Jets defense has taken a step back since Robert Saleh was fired, they are still ranked 3rdin yards allowed per game (301.20) and 2nd in passing yards allowed per game (174.90). Pay special attention to the starting cornerbacks with Sauce Gardner expected to be sidelined. Both DJ Reed and Sauce’s backup Brandin Echols are headed to free agency. The assumption is the Jets won’t be able to financially bring Reed back which opens an opportunity for Echols, who currently has the Jets only interceptions through 12 games (sorry that was said in a negative fashion). Also, put on your scout’s eye to see if second year corner Jarrick Bernard-Converse and/or rookie Qwan’tez Stiggers get some time. The more solutions that the new management team finds on the roster, the easier and quicker it will be to rebuild for 2025.
The Dolphins had their three-game winning streak snapped Thanksgiving night by Green Bay, but they have once again proved that with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa under center, they have a chance to win every game. IF I didn’t promise to keep things positive, I would point out that the Dolphins beat the Jets twice last year by a combined score of 64-13, but I won’t go there. Meanwhile, the Dolphins still have a chance at a wild-card slot if they run the table against the Jets, Houston, San Francisco, Cleveland and the Jets again at MetLife.
Mac’s Pick – Dolphins 27 Jets 17
New Orleans Saints (4-8) at New York Giants (2-10)
Sunday 1p FOX
Full transparency, when the Saints opened the season with wins over Carolina and Dallas by a combined score of 91-29, I was very close to writing the “what if” post about whether the Jets should’ve gone with Derek Carr over Aaron Rodgers. Of course, Carr hurt his oblique and before you knew it the Saints were 2-7 and their head coach Dennis Allen joined Saleh on the unemployment line. Having said that, Carr is 4-4 as a starter and is currently ranked 6th among all NFL quarterbacks in both QBR and QB Rating. The Saints are headed nowhere this year, but unlike the two habitants of MetLife Stadium, they know who their QB will be in 2025.
Meanwhile, Giants fans are paying more attention to Tankathon and college football now that their team has lost most of its star power. Dexter Lawrence has joined Andrew Thomas on injured reserve, Malik Nabers is questionable both with a hip injury and his post-game interviews, Daniel Jones is in Minnesota and Saquon Barkley is in Philadelphia. Yeah, that last one was a low blow. Sorry, there’s only so much positivity that this football season deserves.
Mac’s Pick – Saints 34 Giants 10
Want to know the score of the Jets or Giants game before it happens? Visit us every week during football season for the return of Mac’s Picks!
Disclaimer: Mac’s Picks is written for entertainment purposes only. “Mac” is not a professional prognosticator and doesn’t claim to be able to able to predict the future. Use this information at your own risk.
