Rams vs Jets Odds - Position battles will bring out the best in the Jets
The Rams vs Jets odds put more at stake than you make think in preseason NFL betting. The Rams are anxious to prove they won’t be doormats this season, whereas the Jets have more major position battles than any other team. The Jets have the hungrier players and home advantage, but the Rams have less pressure.
Rams vs Jets odds: Jets offense should excel as players battle for starting spots
- WHO: St. Louis Rams vs New York Jets (-3.5)
- WHAT: NFL betting
- WHEN: Friday, August 14 at 7:00 p.m. ET
- WHERE: Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
- KEY STAT: Jets averaged 10.8 more points per game than Rams in 2008
- PICK: Jets
Rams vs Jets odds maker breakdown: offense
Needless to say, when betting on preseason football, you have to assume second and third-string offenses will see more playing time than the first string. That means the depth advantage goes to New York. Kyle Boller is a capable backup to Marc Bulger, but who will his targets be? Ronald Curry and Laurent Robinson would be adequate, but even they may be reserved now that Donnie Avery is injured and Curry is nursing a sore toe.
Thanks to the Jets’ position battles, they’ll be rotating capable offensive starters throughout the game and that could swing the Rams vs Jets odds in their favor. Whether it’s Kellen Clemens or Mark Sanchez behind center, either guy has plenty to prove. If Thomas Jones and Leon Washington don’t take too many handoffs (like Steven Jackson for St. Louis), blue chipper Shonn Greene will get his shot to pound a brutal St. Louis run defense. The hungry Jets’ skill players should do some damage.
Betting Edge: Jets
Rams vs Jets odds maker breakdown: defense
In the regular season, the defensive advantage is no contest; Jets all the way, especially after they added Bart Scott in the offseason and recruited defensive mastermind Rex Ryan as their head coach. It’s tempting to give the advantage to St. Louis right now, as the Rams drafted more defensive players with early picks, like linebacker James Laurinatis and defensive back Bradley Fletcher. However, they’ll be raw and perhaps a bit nervous, so they could make mistakes. Go with the better defensive coach; Rex Ryan should have his boys better prepared to play good defense.
Betting Edge: Jets
Rams vs Jets odds maker breakdown: Special Teams
Here’s one offshore sportsbook advantage that tips in the Rams’ favor. Think about it; which team (a) stalls in the red zone more frequently and (b) has more experience returning kickoffs after touchdowns? The Rams have multiple capable return men, most notably Derek Stanley (though he’s coming off knee surgery), and a big leg in Josh Brown if he plays. The Jets’ return game is Leon Washington, Leon Washington and a bit more Leon Washington, but they likely won’t risk hurting him in return duty on Friday, as he’s slated to see a major increase in touches this regular season.
Betting Edge: Rams
Rams vs Jets odds maker breakdown: Notable Injuries
The biggest injury news of the week came out of St. Louis, when blossoming star wideout Donnie Avery went down with a fractured foot. He’ll likely be out until Week 1 at the earliest. The Jets are definitely shorthanded, especially on defense. Kris Jenkins’ strained calf should limit him or keep him out of Friday’s game. Suspended Shaun Ellis will sit, as should Calvin Pace. On offense, Nick Mangold tweaked his knee and is no guarantee to play.
Betting Edge: Rams
Rams vs Jets odds maker breakdown: Outlook and Pick
Like any preseason matchup, the Rams vs Jets odds are tough to handicap, as neither team will field its true starting lineup and both teams have notable injuries. However, the Jets’ positions battles will vault them to victory. They’ll test their skill players way more, as they need to find out who their regular season starters should be. Look for Shonn Greene and, possibly, Mark Sanchez to gash the Rams’ young defense.
STAN’S PICK: Jets -3.5
For other preseason NFL sports betting and analysis, keep reading the Betting Edge at betonline.com.
Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions?
