What Should We Expect from Joe Flacco and the First-Team Offense vs. Falcons? 

RL: I expect to see the same Joe Flacco and offense that we saw in the joint practices with the Falcons on Friday and Saturday. Flacco was sharp during drills with Atlanta. And his receivers, perhaps because they’re a combination of flexible returning skill players who as Elijah Moore said, “played with four quarterbacks” last season and new guys like Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall who want to put on a show in their first NFL home game, look ready to roll out a good half or so of offensive football at MetLife on “MNF.” Also, for those who point out that Flacco is 0-5 as a Jets starter, consider that when he didn’t play in 2020-21, the Jets were 6-22. In any event, Flacco’s QB numbers the past two seasons — 88.3 passer rating, drive metrics of 20.6% TD rate, 7.5% TO rate, 5.6 plays/drive, 31.1 yards/drive — are all better than his W-L mark would suggest. Mix in the Falcons’ D, which we’re sure is improved this year but for the previous four seasons combined posted average rankings in the 20s for total yards and passing yards allowed, and I think Flacco, as long as his line gives him the protection he needs, and his offense will do well in its time on turf Monday.

CH: If Robert Saleh decides to play the starters against the Falcons, we should expect to see an efficient offense Monday night. Throughout both joint practices with Atlanta, Joe Flacco and the first-team offense looked as close to their best as we’ve seen. RB Breece Hall, WR Garrett Wilson, WR Elijah Moore and TE Tyler Conklin all shined Friday and Saturday in 2-minute drills and move-the-ball periods against the Falcons. Elijah Moore said the Jets were “attacking the practices with consistency” and “starting out fast.” If the Jets offense continues to be consistent and start out with the same fast tempo they had in joint practices, I think Monday night will be a good step forward for their development.