Jets' Bowles Expects 'More Polished' Performance Against Atlanta
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A look at what to expect in Friday night's NFL preseason games:
FALCONS AT JETS, 7:30 p.m.
Ryan Fitzpatrick will start at quarterback for the second straight game for the Jets, stepping in for Geno Smith, who's out six to 10 weeks with a broken jaw. Fitzpatrick went 2 of 3 for 16 yards in just one series in New York's 23-3 loss at Detroit last week. Coach Todd Bowles expects Fitzpatrick and the rest of the starters to play about a half in this one.
"It's his offense," wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. "(Fitzpatrick) knows this offense probably just as well as (offensive coordinator) Chan (Gailey). That's exciting and it makes everyone feel comfortable."
Newly signed quarterback Matt Flynn is still recovering from a hamstring injury and won't play.
Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson also will be sidelined with an ailing hamstring that has kept him out of practice since early in training camp. Wide receiver Chris Owusu (concussion) and linebacker Erin Henderson (MCL sprain) will also sit out.
"I expect to see us a little more polished than we were in Week 1, a little more calm, hopefully," Bowles said, according to the Jets' official website. "The tackling had better change and we just have to get better week by week. ... We have a long way to go from last week, so hopefully we'll see a steady progression this week."
Meanwhile, Matt Ryan and the Falcons' starting offense appeared in midseason form in their preseason opener.
Ryan was 6 of 6 with a touchdown pass to Julio Jones in his only possession in a 31-24 win over the Titans last Friday.
Four of Ryan's passes were to Jones, who also played only one possession. T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree are competing to be Ryan's backup and will again see most of the playing time against the Jets.
Devonta Freeman and rookie Tevin Coleman, Atlanta's top two running backs, missed last week's game with hamstring injuries and might not play Friday night. Defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman, who suffered a concussion Tuesday, and safety William Moore, who has a calf strain, are expected to miss the game.
SEAHAWKS AT CHIEFS, 8 p.m.
Two teams with more in common than one might think meet in their second preseason game when Seattle visits Kansas City.
Start with the offensive line: Both teams have no idea who will be starting when the regular season rolls around. The NFC champion Seahawks have tried five options at left guard in camp, the latest move taking right tackle Justin Britt and sliding him over, all while converted defensive lineman Drew Nowak tries to play center. The Chiefs have had a different front five every week in practice, and are now without left tackle Eric Fisher because of a high-ankle sprain, and right tackle Jeff Allen because of a knee injury.
Both teams also have dynamic defenses, though both could be missing key players. All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman is unlikely to play for Seattle. All-Pro safety Earl Thomas will not. Fellow safety Kam Chancellor's holdout hit Week 3 on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Kansas City will be without Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dontari Poe, who had back surgery over the summer and is out for all of training camp.
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