New York Jets Turmoil Highlights NFL Week 6 Prime Time Games

The New York Jets have had a so-far so-so season with Aaron Rodgers back under center, but a new phase begins Monday night when they host the Buffalo Bills.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was elevated to head coach when Robert Saleh was fired Tuesday, although Rodgers and the offense seem to have been more of the issue in a 2-3 start.

The Jets’ only victories have come against one-win teams New England and Tennessee, and they had only 26 points with more turnovers (four) than touchdowns (two) in their last two losses.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow is on one of the best runs of his career as the Bengals return to prime time against the New York Giants on Sunday night.

Burrow has passed for 948 yards and 10 touchdowns in his last three games, although two were home losses, when he and the Bengals visit the surprising New York Giants on Sunday night. He threw for five touchdowns in a 41-38 loss to Baltimore last week, when his defense offered no help.

San Francisco and Seattle meet in an NFC West game that features the division leader … this time, it is not the 49ers.

THURSDAY NIGHT

San Francisco 49ers (2-3) at Seattle Seahawks (3-2)

How to watch: Prime Video, 7:15 pm ET

Key matchup: Brock Purdy vs Geno Smith

The 49ers have not had MVP candidate Christian McCaffrey in their first five games, but that has not been as much of an impediment it might appear. While not the same all-around threat, fill-in running back Roger Mason has done a nice job, although his red-zone fumble was decisive when the 49ers lost a 10-point fourth-quarter lead in a 24-23 loss to Arizona last week.

The Niners blew a double-digit fourth quarter lead two weeks before that while letting the Los Angeles Rams escape (27-24). After losing one NFC West game the last two years, the 49ers 0-2 in the division, and another division loss would damage their tie-breaker chances.

The offense is still moving the ball, second in the leaguer at 407 yards per game and Purdy is fifth at 274.8 passing yards per, but his four interceptions have come at inopportune times.

After a 3-0 start built around a relatively easy schedule, Seattle has lots two in a row. Smith leads the league in passing yardage (293.2) under first-year coach Mike Macdonald, but the defense has shown recent cracks, giving up 71 points the last two losses.

The Seahawks lined up for a potential game-tying field goal in the final minute of against the Giants last week, but the Giants blocked the kick and returned it 60-yards for a touchdown and a 29-20 win.

SUNDAY NIGHT

Cincinnati Bengals (1-4) at New York Giants (2-3)

How to watch: NBC/Peacock, 7:20 pm ET

Key matchup: Burrow vs Daniel Jones

The Bengals are searching for a defense that Burrow can be proud of. Their defense, overhauled in the offseason, is 26th in the NFL in total defense and 30th in rushing defense.

The Bengals have given up 38 and 33 points, respectively, in home losses to Baltimore and Washington in the last three weeks, and opponents are averaging 29 points a game, second-most in the league. Even Burrow and favorite target Ja’Marr Chase (493 receiving yards, five touchdowns) cannot overcome that.

The Giants are finding ways to win, as they did last week without starting running back Devin Singletary and wide receiver Malik Nabers. Isaiah Simmons burst through the line to block Seattle’s field goal attempt last week and Bryce Ford-Wheaton returned it for a touchdown

Daniel Jones has thrown six touchdown passes and one interception in the last three games, two wins, and he passed for 276 yards and two scores without Nabers (concussion) against the Seahawks.

Fifth-round draft pick Tyrone Tracy Jr. had a career-high 129 yards rushing while filling in for Singletary last week. Nabers remained in the concussion protocol Wednesday, and his status for the game is unknown.

MONDAY NIGHT

Buffalo Bills (3-2) at New York Jets (2-3)

How to watch: ESPN, 7:15 pm ET

Key matchup: Josh Allen vs Jets D

The Jets hired offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett after the 2022 season as part of a strategy to lure Rodgers, and it worked. The unit was given a mulligan when Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury last season, but it again has not lived up with expectations, ranking in the lower third of the league in most categories.

Running back Breece Hall, who had 1,545 yards from scrimmage a year ago, has seen his touches limited and is averaging only 3.0 yards rushing per game on a team that is 28th in rushing offense. Saleh’s (and Ulbrech’s) defense has held up its end, ranking second in the league in fewest yards allowed.

The Bills have beaten three teams with a losing record and lost to two with a winning record as they prepare for their third straight road game following losses at Baltimore and Houston.

The offense has taken a step backward the last two weeks, although Allen remains among the most efficient quarterbacks in the league. He is the only full-time starter without an interception, and he has beens sacked only six times while throwing for eight touchdowns.