10 Players to Watch: Jets vs. Vikings
Keep Your Eyes on These Players During the Game
Walls recorded his second career INT against the Dolphins. The pick was also his first as a Jet. Walls figures to draw the assignment of covering WR Greg Jennings, who had 5 catches for 45 yards and one TD last week against the Panthers.
It's a homecoming game for Decker, who grew up about 90 minutes from Minneapolis in Cold Spring, MN. As a senior at the University of Minnesota, Decker played on the field at TCF Bank Stadium, which is located on the school's campus and is the site of this week's Jets-Vikings game. The career leader in receptions (227) and receiving yards (3,119) at Minnesota said he's looking forward to seeing his old campus: "It's exciting for us to just be on campus where I spent a lot of years. I get to see some familiar faces. It's going to be fun to be back in that environment to see family, see friends coming to the game. I'm excited."
![A hip flexor can affect anyone's play, but it's a worse injury for a kicker if it's on the same side as his kicking leg as it is for Folk, who sustained the injury in the game against Miami. Folk is listed as probable on the injury report, which means he is likely to play. He did not participate in Wednesday's practice, but did some kicking on Thursday and Friday: "I felt pretty good [at Thursday's practice], we kind of had a plan, we 're sticking to it, nothing crazy, don't want to get overboard with it, want to take it day by day, keep working, keep trying to get better every day."](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/jets/vvafl0buc3a766uclomm.jpg)
A hip flexor can affect anyone's play, but it's a worse injury for a kicker if it's on the same side as his kicking leg as it is for Folk, who sustained the injury in the game against Miami. Folk is listed as probable on the injury report, which means he is likely to play. He did not participate in Wednesday's practice, but did some kicking on Thursday and Friday: "I felt pretty good [at Thursday's practice], we kind of had a plan, we 're sticking to it, nothing crazy, don't want to get overboard with it, want to take it day by day, keep working, keep trying to get better every day."
Without fellow Pro Bowl candidate Muhammad Wilkerson, who will miss his second-straight game with a turf toe injury, Richardson will need to step up for the defensive line. Richardson currently has 3.5 sacks, matching his total from his rookie season, but he has not recorded a sack in four games. Look for him to add to that total against the Vikings.
After rushing for a season-high 105 yards Monday against the Dolphins, Johnson will look to build off his first 100-yard performance with the Green & White. The Vikings are No. 24 against the run, allowing 123.8 yards/game.
Coach Ryan's desire to play younger guys on the roster has lead to increased playing time for DT T.J. Barnes. The 6'7", 364-pounder has been a pleasant surprise for the Jets since training camp. He's given the defensive line some depth after the injury to Muhammad Wilkerson. Barnes blew up a read-option play against the Dolphins and dropped QB Ryan Tannehill in the backfield. Look for Barnes to make the most of his opportunities in this one.
Smith figures to be the man under center for the rest of the season "unless something crazy happens," said Jets OC Marty Mornhinweg. Smith threw the ball just 13 times against Miami with only eight of those coming in the first 58 minutes. Smith's play will be important Sunday, as it could be the determining factor in a win or a loss.
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Harvin in the first round in 2009. Harvin spent four seasons in purple and gold, during which he had 280 receptions for 3,302 yards and 20 TDs. He also added 683 yards and five TDs on the ground. There are no hard feelings for Harvin, but he is looking forward to the game: "I think I'm going to have a blast just seeing some of the familiar faces. I remember facing them last year when I was in Seattle. That was my first game back going against them. I was out there just having fun, laughing with the guys, going against some of the DBs. I was close with a lot of linebackers on that team. It'll be fun for me."
After spending three years with Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater at Louisville, Pryor knows a thing or two about the QB's tendencies. Pryor said Friday that he's gladly shared this information with the rest of the defense and they're planning on getting after Bridgewater: "It's going to be fun, man. It's going to be a very competitive game. I look forward to going against him. It's been a very long time. It should be fun."
Two blocked puntsaren't necessarily Quigley's fault, but the second-year punter will need to be aware of a Vikings special teams unit that blocked and returned two punts for TDs in the first half of their 38-13 win over the Carolina Panthers last week. Quigs broke down the practice huddle during Wednesday's practice, which could be head coach Rex Ryan's attempt to give Quigley some motivation entering Sunday.
