MLB Best Bets – Free (Wednesday 7/24)
Josh Gross
Looking to scratch an action itch? You bet we got you covered. Every day our ravenous bettors scour the web for their favorite player props to boost the bankroll. Today’s featured line comes from ‘The Big Noise’ himself, Brad Evans.
Prop: New York Jets UNDER 6.5 wins (+100, FanDuel)
It’s clear Adam Gase has squeezed every ounce of his connection to Peyton Manning from six years ago. Either that or he has incriminating evidence on high-standing members of the Jets organization. There really aren’t any other sensible reasons as to why he’s still employed. Some believe the franchise is due to turn a corner in 2020, but there are plenty of counterpoints suggesting that’s a peyote-packed pipe dream. Here’s why:
- When it comes to barking orders through a headset, Gase is a few beers short of a six pack. A season ago, the Jets ranked No. 9 in points per snap. His reluctance to attack teams deep, among other myriad problems, kept the Jets’ wheels glued to the tarmac. Breshad Perriman’s arrival and a healthy Chris Herndon should assist in getting the offense airborne, but Sam Darnold must increase his 4.2 deep throws per game (QB20) from 2019. Safe short-field passes to Jamison Crowder and Le'Veon Bell are merely superficial cuts into a defense.
- Personnel-wise, the Jets are very much a work in progress. They did make upgrades in several key areas, particularly along the offensive line. Still, they ranked near the bottom of every offensive line metric invented in ‘19. Darnold must mature after seeing ghosts last fall. He ranked QB15 or lower in multiple categories, including aDOT, deep-ball passer rating, red-zone completion percentage and adjusted completion percentage. Bell, too, was woefully inefficient.
- Have you seen the schedule? Think of squaring off against every horror movie villain at peak intensity. It’s that daunting. In fact, according to Vegas projected win totals, New York is slated to play the third-toughest schedule. Examining closer, it’s conceivable the Jets roll into Week 5 winless (Open: at Buffalo, San Francisco, at Indianapolis, Denver). Early odds have the Jets favored in three — that’s right, three — games (Arizona, at Miami, Miami). Trade Jamal Adams, per the DB’s wishes, and things will unravel quickly.
Bottom line, Gase’s wandering widened eyes have a better chance of capturing that elusive taco emoji than the Jets do securing seven victories this fall. Fading the living daylights out of them, at plus odds no less, is one of the best futures tickets to hold.
