Week 13 Preview Against Atlanta for the New York Jets

As the New York Jets enter Week 13 of the NFL season, their matchup against the Atlanta Falcons carries significant weight for their fading playoff hopes—pitting a Jets team fresh off two crucial wins against a Falcons squad that has surprised many with its competitive edge in the NFC South. Both teams enter the game with 6-5 records, making this a de facto “must-win” for the Jets, who sit just outside the AFC wild-card spots and face a tough remaining schedule. The Falcons, led by a balanced offense and a stingy run defense, present a unique challenge for the Jets, who have relied on quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ resurgence and a improving defense to turn their season around. Week 13 Preview Against Atlanta for the New York Jets breaks down the key storylines, positional battles, and strategic matchups that will define this critical game, offering insight into how the Jets can secure a victory and keep their playoff dreams alive.

The first critical storyline heading into Week 13 is the contrast in offensive styles between the Jets and Falcons, which will shape the game’s tempo and strategy. The Falcons run a run-heavy offense, ranking 8th in the NFL with 128 rushing yards per game, led by running back Bijan Robinson (723 yards, 4 touchdowns) and quarterback Desmond Ridder’s mobility (238 rushing yards). Their offensive line excels at zone blocking, which has allowed them to control time of possession (ranking 10th in the league at 31:45 per game). The Jets, by contrast, have leaned more on their passing game since Rodgers’ return to form, ranking 15th in passing yards per game (235) and 22nd in rushing (98 yards per game). Rodgers has thrown 14 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions in his last six games, finding a reliable target in wide receiver Garrett Wilson (65 catches, 782 yards). For the Jets, slowing the Falcons’ run game will be essential to forcing Atlanta into passing situations, where the Jets’ defense—led by defensive end Quinnen Williams (7 sacks)—can apply pressure. Conversely, the Falcons will look to grind down the Jets’ defense with their rushing attack, limiting Rodgers’ opportunities to lead comeback drives. Week 13 Preview Against Atlanta for the New York Jets highlights this offensive style clash as the game’s foundational matchup, with the team that controls the run game likely to control the outcome.

On the defensive side, the key battle will be the Jets’ run defense against the Falcons’ rushing attack—a matchup that could determine how much the Jets’ offense is able to shine. The Falcons’ rushing attack isn’t just about Robinson; Ridder often uses designed bootlegs and read-option plays to keep defenses off balance, making this a two-pronged threat. The Jets’ run defense has improved in recent weeks, allowing just 92 rushing yards per game in their last three outings, but they’ll face their biggest test yet against Atlanta’s cohesive offensive line. Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has hinted at adjustments, including using more “5-2” alignments to add an extra defensive lineman and assigning linebacker C.J. Mosley to shadow Robinson in passing situations. “We can’t just focus on Bijan—we have to account for Ridder’s legs too,” Ulbrich said in a press conference. “Their run game is a system, not just one player, and we have to be disciplined in our gap assignments all game long.” The Falcons, meanwhile, will look to exploit the Jets’ occasional vulnerability to outside runs, where edge defenders have sometimes overpursued, leaving cutback lanes open. If the Jets can shut down the run, they’ll force the Falcons into third-and-long situations, where their pass rush can take over. Week 13 Preview Against Atlanta for the New York Jets explores how this defensive battle will set the tone for the entire game, as stopping the run is the Jets’ clearest path to victory.

For the New York Jets, the health of key players will play a pivotal role in Week 13, with two critical contributors listed as questionable heading into the game. Left tackle Mekhi Becton, who has anchored the offensive line and protected Rodgers’ blind side, is dealing with a knee injury that limited his practice reps this week. If Becton can’t play, the Jets will turn to backup tackle Max Mitchell, who has struggled with pass protection this season (allowing 4 sacks in limited action). This is a major concern against the Falcons’ defensive end Calais Campbell, a 15-year veteran with 6 sacks this season who excels at beating right tackles. The Jets also listed cornerback Sauce Gardner as questionable with a shoulder injury; Gardner has been a lockdown corner all season, allowing just a 45% completion rate when targeted. Without Gardner, the Jets will rely on D.J. Reed to cover Falcons wide receiver Drake London (45 catches, 580 yards), a physical receiver who could exploit the matchup. For the New York Jets, keeping Becton and Gardner healthy isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Head coach Robert Saleh has downplayed the injuries, stating that “both guys are trending in the right direction,” but the reality is that their absence would significantly weaken the Jets’ chances. Week 13 Preview Against Atlanta for the New York Jets emphasizes how player health could be the X-factor in this game, as even small injuries to key contributors can tip the scales in Atlanta’s favor.

The New York Jets will also need to address their special teams struggles if they want to beat the Falcons, as Atlanta has one of the league’s most consistent special teams units. The Falcons rank 7th in special teams efficiency, with kicker Younghoe Koo converting 91% of his field goal attempts (20 of 22) and punter Bradley Pinion averaging 46.2 yards per punt, which ranks 10th in the NFL. Their kickoff coverage unit is equally strong, allowing just 19.8 yards per return, which ranks 8th. The Jets, by contrast, have struggled in special teams, ranking 24th in efficiency. Kicker Greg Zuerlein has missed 5 field goals this season, including a crucial 42-yard attempt in a Week 10 loss to the Raiders, and their punt return unit ranks 28th in yards per return (6.2). To counter the Falcons’ special teams edge, the Jets have made adjustments in practice, including adding faster players to their kickoff return unit and working with Zuerlein on game-winning scenarios. “Special teams can win or lose close games, and this one figures to be tight,” special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said. “We’ve put in the work to fix our issues, and now we need to execute on Sunday.” For the New York Jets, a strong special teams performance—whether it’s a long punt return, a game-winning field goal, or a stop on Atlanta’s kickoff return—could be the difference between a win and a loss. Week 13 Preview Against Atlanta for the New York Jets examines how special teams, often an overlooked phase of the game, could play a decisive role in Week 13.

Finally, the mental edge and momentum heading into Week 13 could favor the Jets, but the Falcons’ ability to stay calm under pressure makes this a toss-up. The Jets have won two straight games, including a dominant 31-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 12, where Rodgers threw three touchdowns and the defense held Miami to just 14 points. This winning streak has boosted team morale, with players talking about a “second wind” in the locker room. The Falcons, however, have shown resilience in close games, winning four of their five one-score matchups this season. They also have the advantage of playing at home, where they’ve gone 4-2 this season, compared to the Jets’ 2-4 road record. For the New York Jets, overcoming their road struggles will require focus and discipline, especially against a Falcons team that feeds off crowd energy. Head coach Robert Saleh has emphasized the importance of staying grounded, reminding players that “one win doesn’t change our approach—we have to prepare like every game is a playoff game.” If the Jets can maintain their recent momentum and avoid the mistakes that have plagued them on the road (12 turnovers in away games), they have the talent to beat the Falcons. Week 13 Preview Against Atlanta for the New York Jets concludes that this game will come down to which team executes its game plan better, with the Jets needing a complete performance on offense, defense, and special teams to secure a victory that keeps their playoff hopes alive. For a team that has fought back from a slow start, Week 13 represents a chance to prove they belong in the postseason conversation.