Game Preview of Atlanta Falcons @ New York Jets. Week 13 of 2025 NFL Season
The Atlanta Falcons head to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Jets on Sunday in a Week 13 matchup that looks more like a survival test than a playoff preview. Atlanta sits at 4–7 with fading postseason hopes, while the Jets are 2–9 and deep into a long-term rebuild under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET.
The Falcons turn again to veteran Kirk Cousins after Michael Penix Jr. went down with a season-ending ACL tear. Cousins looked sharp in his return against the Saints, going 16 of 23 for 199 yards and two scores, including a 49-yard strike to Darnell Mooney. He will likely have to work without his top wideout. Drake London is doubtful with a knee sprain, and several other receivers are banged up. That should push more of the offense through running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts, if Pitts is able to go.
New York’s offense is even more unsettled. Tyrod Taylor gave the Jets a small boost when he took over from Justin Fields, but he is now listed as out. Fields is in the concussion protocol and is officially questionable. That leaves the Jets’ quarterback plan murky going into the weekend. Whoever plays will be working behind a shaky offensive line and throwing to a receiver group missing Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds, with young targets like Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III trying to step up.
Both teams bring defensive storylines. Atlanta quietly ranks well in pass defense, limiting explosive passes and turning pressure into sacks at a high rate. The Jets have improved against the run and are strong on third down, but they are on the verge of infamous history with only one takeaway and no interceptions through 11 games. With a game total set in the high 30s, the market expects a grind that could hinge on field position, pass protection, and which veteran back makes more plays: Bijan Robinson or Breece Hall.
| Date | Opponent | Result | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-23 | @ BAL | L 10-23 | L 14.0 | u44.5 |
| 2025-11-13 | @ NE | L 14-27 | L 12.5 | u43.5 |
| 2025-11-09 | vs CLE | W 27-20 | W +-1.5 | o37.5 |
| 2025-10-26 | @ CIN | W 39-38 | L 5.5 | o43.5 |
| 2025-10-19 | vs CAR | L 6-13 | L 1.5 | u39.5 |
| 2025-10-12 | vs DEN | L 11-13 | L -7.5 | u43.5 |
| 2025-10-05 | vs DAL | L 22-37 | L 1.5 | o48.5 |
| 2025-09-29 | @ MIA | L 21-27 | L 2.5 | o44.5 |
| 2025-09-21 | @ TB | L 27-29 | L 6.5 | o43.5 |
| 2025-09-14 | vs BUF | L 10-30 | L -6.0 | u47.5 |
Falcons pass rush vs Jets pass protection
Atlanta converts pressure into sacks on 9.3 percent of opponent dropbacks, a top-tier mark. The Jets offensive line allows sacks on 10.5 percent of dropbacks near the bottom of the league. If New York falls behind the sticks, their quarterback could be under constant fire.
Jets run explosiveness is a real weapon
The Jets lead the league in explosive run rate at 7.2 percent, which means roughly one of every fourteen carries goes for at least 10 yards. Atlanta’s defense allows explosive runs at a 4.3 percent rate, below average. If Breece Hall is healthy, he gives New York its best path to sustained offense.
Atlanta’s shotgun-heavy approach fits Cousins and Bijan
The Falcons operate out of shotgun on 63.7 percent of snaps, one of the highest rates in the NFL. That look helps Cousins work quick-game concepts and gives Bijan Robinson more vision on inside and outside runs, which matters with Atlanta’s offensive line dealing with multiple injuries.
Third down is a big concern for the Falcons offense
Atlanta converts only 34.6 percent of third downs and just 15.5 percent of third-and-long tries. The Jets defense, meanwhile, stops opponents on about 60.8 percent of third downs, ranking well above average. Without Drake London, the Falcons may struggle to extend drives and could end up leaning on the run game and short passes even in long-yardage spots.
Jets passing game lacks explosiveness against a stingy Falcons secondary
New York generates explosive passes on only 4.7 percent of attempts and ranks near the bottom in deep pass success. Atlanta allows explosive passes on just 5.9 percent of opponent attempts, a top-quartile figure. That means the Jets are likely to live on short throws and screens rather than chunk plays through the air.
Injuries in both secondaries shift where targets go
Sauce Gardner is out and several Jets defensive backs are questionable, which opens opportunities for Atlanta’s remaining receivers and tight ends. On the other side, multiple Falcons corners and safeties are banged up, which may help New York’s young wideouts and tight ends if their quarterback play can rise to a baseline level.
Spread: Falcons laying a field goal on the road
The main spread has Atlanta at about -3.0 (-106) with the Jets at +3.0 (-122). The Falcons have the clearer quarterback situation and a strong pass rush against a weak Jets line, but they have failed to cover in most recent games as favorites. Laying a field goal with a 4–7 road team carries some risk, especially if the offensive line injuries show up.
Total: Market expects a low-scoring grind
The game total sits around 39.5, with the under at about -118 and the over at -115. Both teams average roughly 19.9 points per game on offense, and the Jets recent games have landed closer to the low-to-mid 40s. With backup quarterbacks, shaky lines, and banged-up receivers on both sides, the low number makes sense but leaves very little margin if either defense breaks down or special teams create short fields.
Falcons team total hint
Atlanta’s team total is set at 20.0, with the over priced near -128. That projects a score in the low twenties for the Falcons. Their strong red-zone touchdown rate helps, but injuries to Drake London and along the offensive line, plus their poor third-down numbers, make it possible they stall for more field goals than touchdowns.
Bijan Robinson receiving volume angle
Bijan Robinson over 34.5 receiving yards (-116) is one way to back Atlanta’s short passing attack. He has more than 500 receiving yards in 11 games and faces a Jets defense missing key corners and struggling to create turnovers. The risk is that the Falcons jump out early and ride the run game, but London’s likely absence should keep Bijan busy as a receiver.
Breece Hall rushing hinges on health
Breece Hall’s rushing line is 69.5 yards, with the over at about -119. The Jets lead the league in explosive run rate, and their best offensive script leans on Hall. However, he is listed as questionable. Any bet on his rushing yards brings extra variance and should depend on a positive injury report and expectations of a close game rather than a big Falcons lead.
Jets receiver usage in a thin room
Adonai Mitchell over 35.5 receiving yards (-120) reflects his role in a receiver group missing Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds. The number is modest for a primary outside target, but quarterback uncertainty and New York’s weak explosive pass rate mean a wide outcome range. It is also worth noting that some markets still list Tyrod Taylor passing and rushing props even though he is reported out, which is a reminder to double-check that lines reflect the latest injury news before betting.
This Falcons at Jets matchup looks like a classic late-season grind between two teams with more questions than answers on offense. Atlanta is trying to squeeze one more playoff push out of a roster built around Kirk Cousins and Bijan Robinson while dealing with major injuries at wide receiver and along the offensive line. The Jets are focused on the long game with draft capital and a likely quarterback reset coming in 2026, but they still have to navigate this season with a battered roster and a passing game stuck at the bottom of the league.
On the field, the biggest edges line up in the trenches and on the ground. Atlanta’s pass rush has a clear advantage against New York’s protection, which could wreck drives if the Jets fall behind and have to throw. The flip side is the Jets’ explosive run game, which can flip the script if Breece Hall is healthy and able to break through a Falcons front that has shown some vulnerability to big runs.
The betting market has rated Atlanta as a small road favorite around a field goal with a total in the high 30s. That pricing matches the idea of a low-scoring contest where one or two big plays or turnovers swing things. With both teams dealing with long injury lists, especially at quarterback and receiver, variance is high. Lines on player props, in particular, may move sharply once final inactives come out.
For bettors, this feels like a matchup where timing and information matter as much as the numbers themselves. Checking the final injury report on players like Breece Hall, Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney, and Justin Fields should be part of any plan. Given the volatility, it makes sense to size bets modestly and accept that one or two health-related breaks could decide both the game and the wagers tied to it.
| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Points | 219 | #26 | 249 | #20 | |
| Total Points Per Game | 19.9 | #27 | 22.6 | #15 | |
| Total Touchdowns | 22 | #27 | 25 | #8 | |
| Passing Touchdowns | 12 | #28 | 17 | #15 | |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 7 | #26 | 8 | #6 | |
| Other Touchdowns | 3 | #4 | 0 | #1 | |
| Total Kicking Points | 75 | #22 | 83 | #17 | |
| Total Two Point Conversions | 5 | #1 | 2 | #8 | |
| Kick Extra Points | 15 | #29 | 20 | #26 |
| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Passing Yards | 1603 | #32 | 2094 | #25 | |
| Net Passing Yards Per Game | 146 | #32 | 190 | #25 | |
| Passer Rating | 86 | #23 | 91.6 | #18 | |
| Passing Attempts | 303 | #30 | 328 | #10 | |
| Completions | 189 | #32 | 212 | #25 | |
| Completion Percentage | 62.4 | #22 | 64.6 | #16 | |
| Passing 1st downs | 92 | #31 | 115 | #12 | |
| Passing 1st Down % | 48.4 | #30 | 54.0 | #9 | |
| Longest Pass | 42 | #32 | 58 | #21 | |
| Passing Fumbles Lost | 2 | #25 | 3 | #13 | |
| Receiving Targets | 289 | #30 | 317 | #23 | |
| Receptions | 189 | #32 | 212 | #8 | |
| Receiving Yards After Catch | 889 | #32 | 1096 | #11 | |
| YAC Average | 4.7 | #26 | 5.2 | #18 |
| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards | 1494 | #8 | 1464 | #26 | |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 136 | #7 | 133 | #7 | 🏈 |
| Rushing Attempts | 308 | #13 | 321 | #27 | |
| Yards Per Rush Attempt | 4.9 | #6 | 4.6 | #10 | |
| Rushing 1st downs | 84 | #7 | 86 | #27 | |
| 20+ Yard Rushing Plays | 11 | #2 | 7 | #14 | |
| Long Rushing | 50 | #17 | 83 | #1 | |
| Rushing Fumbles | 11 | #2 | 7 | #14 | |
| Rushing Fumbles Lost | 4 | #1 | 0 | #26 |