The New York Jets let a winnable game slip away in overtime last week. Now they head to Detroit to face a Lions team eager to bounce back after a lopsided loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football.

Both teams are 1-1, but the Lions have scored 31 points in each of their first two games. Meanwhile, New York’s defense has ranked among the best in football so far.

Today, though, the Jets will face their toughest opponent yet.

How to watch

  • Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
  • TV: FOX
  • Broadcast crew: Adam Amin, Drew Brees, and Kristina Pink

Jets-Lions will be broadcast on FOX in the following markets:

  • New York, NY
  • Hartford, CT
  • Detroit, MI
  • Flint, MI
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Toledo, OH
  • Fort Worth, IN
  • South Bend, IN
  • Evansville, IN
  • Chicago, IL
  • Springfield, IL
  • Peoria, IL
  • Quad Cities, IL/IA
  • Milwaukee, WI
  • Green Bay, WI
  • West Palm Beach, FL

The game will also be available through FOX One for subscribers and on streaming NFL+ for eligible local viewers. For those out of market, you can watch the game on NFL Sunday Ticket.

Weather

Since Ford Field is a dome, the weather will not affect today’s matchup.

Uniforms

The Jets will wear green helmets, white jerseys, and green pants. The team has struggled in those uniforms, going 2-15 since 2020.

However, things are trending up, as they earned a Week 1 road win against the Tennessee Titans in this set. We will see if the same magic carries over to the Motor City.

The Lions are going with blue jerseys and silver pants.

Injury report

New York Jets:

  • S Minkah Fitzpatrick (groin): Out
  • LB Kiko Mauigoa (quad): Out
  • TE Mason Taylor (thumb): Out
  • RB/KR Kene Nwangwu (back): Out
  • WR Adonai Mitchell (finger): Questionable
  • EDGE Joseph Ossai (foot): Questionable

For the second straight week, the Jets will be without Fitzpatrick and Mauigoa. Nwangwu, who is one of the league’s most effective kick returners when he is out there, remains plagued by a back injury. He has yet to play in a game this season.

Mitchell was added to the injury report this week due to a finger injury and looked to have it wrapped up throughout the week. According to Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, he caught a finger in a jersey.

Ossai could be making his season debut today, but it doesn’t look like there will be an answer until closer to kickoff. It will be fascinating to see what his role looks like right away. He was a projected starter to begin the season, but in his absence, the Jets’ EDGEs have fared pretty well, especially Kingsley Enagbare, who took on an increased responsibility.

Detroit Lions:

  • S Thomas Harper (ankle): Out
  • G Ben Bartch (foot): Out

Detroit listed tackle Blake Miller, left guard Christian Mahogany, and right guard Tate Ratledge as fully participating for Friday’s practice and no longer have injury designations for today’s game.

Harper has been part of the Lions’ three-safety rotation to replace starters Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, who have been on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list to begin the season.

Alongside Harper, one of the Lions’ other two primary safeties has been Avonte Maddox, who suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 2. Down four safeties, the Lions are left with former Jet Chuck Clark, Christian Izien, and undrafted rookie Bishop Fitzgerald at the position.

Bartch is the Lions’ backup left guard, although he started in Week 2 and played most of Week 1, replacing starter Christian Mahogany, who left early in the season opener with a hip injury. Mahogany will return and start at left guard this week, but Bartch’s injury leaves the Lions down to two back interior linemen, Seth McLaughlin and Miles Frazier.

What to watch for

Can the Jets disrupt Jared Goff?

Detroit has scored 31 points in each of their games this season, with Jared Goff throwing six touchdowns and no interceptions across the first two weeks.

The Jets have the pass rush to bother him, though. David Bailey has been excellent to start his NFL career, logging eight pressures through two games, while Kingsley Enagbare has six. The problem is that Goff has been excellent under pressure this season, posting a league-best 111.1 passer rating in those situations.

Without Fitzpatrick again, and Detroit boasting several explosive playmakers, the Jets’ goal should be simple: do everything they can to disrupt Goff. He isn’t renowned for his mobility, and his under-pressure efficiency is due to drop, considering that he usually struggles in that area.

If the Jets can keep Goff in the pocket and force him into quick decisions, it will go a long way.

Will the Jets finish drives?

The Lions’ defense has been one of the worst in the league so far. They have allowed 35.5 points per game this season while surrendering touchdowns on nine of 10 opponent red-zone trips.

So far, the Jets are four-of-six in red zone situations, which is exactly league average. Facing an uphill battle this week to keep up with Detroit’s explosive offense on the road, New York’s offense must finish drives with touchdowns.

Score prediction

  • Lions 27, Jets 21

The Jets should be able to move the ball and gain some offensive momentum against a sputtering Lions defense that has allowed 457.5 yards per game. I also expect Gang Green’s defense to push Goff.

However, Detroit’s offense is too explosive to hold completely in check, and the Jets are without key pieces on both sides of the ball.

I think this will be a competitive game before the Dan Campbell-led Lions pull away with a win.