Thursday Night Capsule – Denver Broncos at New York Jets

THURSDAY NIGHT PREVIEW:

DENVER BRONCOS (0-3) AT NEW YORK JETS (0-3)

Week 4 of the 2020 NFL season gets underway on Thursday, October 1 (8:20 PM ET, NFL Network), as the Denver Broncos travel across the country to MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Jets in a matchup of teams seeking their first victory. It will mark the 37th meeting between the two clubs, with the Broncos holding the all-time series advantage, 19-16-1. The Jets won the last meeting, 34-16, in Week 5 of the 2018 season.

Last week, Denver quarterback JEFF DRISKEL made his first start of the season, passing for 176 yards and a touchdown. He aims for his fourth in a row on the road with at least 200 passing yards and a touchdown pass. Running back MELVIN GORDON had 128 scrimmage yards (81 rushing, 47 receiving) and a rushing touchdown in his only career game against the Jets (Dec. 24, 2017, with the Chargers). In his past five games against the AFC East, Gordon has seven touchdowns (five rushing, two receiving). In two career games on Thursday Night Football, Gordon has 227 scrimmage yards (113.5 per game) and a rushing touchdown. Rookie wide receiver JERRY JEUDY – the No. 15 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft -led the team with 55 receiving yards in Week 3 and leads all AFC rookies with 13 catches and 173 receiving yards this season. Defensive end SHELBY HARRIS recorded his first two sacks of the season last week. Linebacker BRADLEY CHUBB had two sacks and a forced fumble in his only career game on Thursday Night Football (Oct. 18, 2018, against Arizona).

In the teams’ 2018 meeting, New York quarterback SAM DARNOLD had three touchdown passes and a 98.1 rating. In two career games against the AFC West, Darnold has six touchdowns (five passing, one rushing) and a 117.5 rating. He has a rating of 90 or higher in four of his past five home games. Running back FRANK GORE led the team with 57 rushing yards in Week 3. In seven career games against Denver, Gore has 628 scrimmage yards (89.7 per game) and three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving). He ranks third in NFL history with 15,491 rushing yards and fourth with 19,392 scrimmage yards. Wide receiver BRAXTON BERRIOS had a team-high 64 receiving yards and a touchdown reception last week and aims for his third in a row with at least 50 receiving yards and a touchdown catch. Safety BRADLEY MCDOUGALD led the team with a season-high 10 tackles in Week 3. In his last game against Denver (Sept. 9, 2018, with Seattle), McDougald had a career-high two interceptions. Safety MARCUS MAYE had an interception and a forced fumble in the teams’ last meeting.

Thursday’s contest marks the third of seven games exclusively televised on NFL Network this season and will be produced by FOX. The game will feature Joe Buck, Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink on the call.