Let’s take a closer look at this week’s Jets opponent:
Atlanta Falcons
Record: 3-3
Head coach: Dan Quinn (third season); Offensive coordinator: Steve Sarkisian; Defensive coordinator: Marquand Manuel
Overview: The Falcons started the season 3-0, looking like they were going to be in contention for a return trip to the Super Bowl. Then, they hit the AFC East. The Falcons have lost three in a row — all to AFC East opponents. Now, they face another one in the Jets as they try to get back on track.
Best offensive player: Julio Jones is a matchup nightmare for any team. The Jets likely will put Morris Claiborne on him for the entire game if they can. Jones’ numbers are down this year. He has 34 catches for 466 yards and just scored his first touchdown last week. The Jets have to hope he does not break out against them.
Best defensive player: The Jets could have drafted Vic Beasley with the No. 6 overall pick in 2015, but chose Leonard Williams instead. Beasley does one thing – rush the passer – but he does it well. He had 15.5 sacks last year to lead the NFL. This year he has three sacks in four games. He’s missed two with a hamstring injury. It could be on backup tackle Brent Qvale to slow him down if Brandon Shell (neck) is out.
Biggest offensive concern: The Falcons lost offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who is now the 49ers head coach, after last season. They replaced him with Sarkisian and the transition has not worked out. The Falcons are averaging 21.3 points per game, down from 33.8 last year.
Biggest defensive concern: The Falcons have only forced three turnovers this season, the least in the league. They only have recorded two interceptions and one fumble recovery. Last year, they had 22 takeaways. Quinn is a defensive coach, so this must be driving him insane.
Injury to watch: Running back Tevin Coleman was limited in practice Wednesday with a knee injury. It does not sound serious, but could limit his touches Sunday.
Coach’s quote: Quinn, a Morristown, N.J., native on returning home for the game: “It’s always a favorite thing of mine because of growing up there is where my love of football began, and so watching games, before MetLife, at old Giants Stadium, going there watching games, watching the Giants and the Jets on TV every Sunday and Monday night, so it’s always kind of a cool spot for me because it brings it back to where my love of ball began. Past that, once you get there, then it is back to on to the game and you get to see family, but I think I always reminisce about why the game is so important to me and where it started from playing youth football and all the coaches that were involved in my life at an early age.”