Jets Vs Patriots Preview

 As the Jets come off of a tough loss against the Panthers on the road 19-14, they come home to Metlife Stadium for what will be a highly anticipated home opener against their pitty rivals in Bill Bellichick and the Patriots. The other big thing about this game too is that not only does this mark Zach Wilson's first home game as a Jet but this will also be two rookie QBs starting today in Wilson and Pats QB Mac Jones. After both teams missed the playoffs last year, the Jets gave the Patriots two very competitive games last year which the Patriots were able to come back and win in both of those games. Still early in the year, this is an opportunity for the Jets to pick up a win against a team they haven't beat since 2015 back when Fitzmagic saved the day. Hopefully, the Jets push through for what will be one of the biggest games of the entire season. 

Before the previews, both teams do have some injuries worth noting. For the Jets, both WR's Keelan Cole and Jamison Crowder are listed as questionable coming into this week. I also took the assumption that Cole was going to be good to go for last week's game from his knee injury, but he was a last minute scratch from HC Robert Saleh. This week, he is listed as questionable, but has been a limited participant at practice and seems likely that he will be ready for the Jets faithful this week. For Crowder, after coming off of having COVID last week and missing week 1, he now has picked up a groin injury in practice since returning from the COVID list and is listed as questionable as well. He was also a limited practice participant so it will be safe to assume he's going to be good to go this week as well. Rookie LB Jamien Sherwood is listed as doubtful with an ankle injury and seems likely he's going to be out this week. 

For the Patriots, TE Jonnu Smith is questionable with a hip injury while LB Kyle Van Noy is out with a throat injury and OT Trent Brown is also out with a calf injury. Now that we've mentioned injuries, let's preview what the Jets have in store today. The Patriots come into this matchup having lost a tough week 1 matchup to the Dolphins 17-16 at Foxborough. They will be coming into Metlife hungry as they try for their first win of the year. Now lead by rookie QB Mac Jones, the Patriots offense has a totally new look, especially with some signings and trades as well. 

Offensively, they have the one-two backfield punch with Damien Harris and James White (no more Sony Michel). Two new WR's come into the picture for New England this year too with Nelson Agholor who came from the Raiders and Kendrick Bourne from the 49ers. WR Jakobi Meyers is still a piece that they kept to build around along with special teams star Gunner Olszewski. They also have two TE's that are playmakers in Jonnu Smith (If he plays) and Hunter Henry. The Patriots made it an emphasis to go out and make moves following their first playoff miss last year since 2008. They certainly are more of a threat now then last year and the Jets will have their hands full today.

Both Rookie QB's starting in today's matchup 
Zach Wilson (Left) and Mac Jones (Right)

Defensively, the Patriots are tough and have some guys that are capable of changing games and making a difference. Up front, DE Deitrich Wise Jr is pretty good along with DT Lawrence Guy. They also have former Jets DE Henry Anderson who they picked up after last season as well. Some other players include young CB JC Jackson, who had a pick in each game last year against the Jets. CB Jalen Mills is a good fill in for Stephon Gillmore, who is out the first 6 weeks of this season. Mills has had starting expirience in the league with the Eagles all of his career and is a tough one on one coverage corner as well. At LB they have Dont'a Hightower, a long time Patriot as well as newly signed patriot and former Raven LB Matthew Judon. The Patriots have depth defensively, and QB Zach Wilson and the Jets are going to have to figure out how to get around and succeed against this defense. 

The Jets have a chip on their shoulder today, and what other better team to take out the anger on but the Patriots. This week, I would anticipate the Jets running the ball a little more potentially and give the RB carosuel more reps during the game. The running game was barely utilized in last week's loss to the Panthers, and by running the ball a bit more, It takes pressure off Zach Wilson's shoulders to have to win a game with his arm. However, this doesn't mean that he shouldn't throw a lot still. WR Corey Davis had two TD's and proved to potentially have a great connection with Wilson early in the year. With Keelan Cole and Jamison Crowder potentially in the mix this time, it will help spread the Jets offensively and provide more opportunity for offensive success. RB Tevin Coleman is well known for catching out of the backfield and playing well in open space. Last week, he didn't get thrown to once. If the Jets utilize him more, he can be more than just your standard RB. OC Matt LaFleur's playcalling this week should be interesting to watch against a dynamic Patriots defense. 

Finally! It's prediction time! Metlife will be buzzing today, and although the Jets home crowd will be loud and make themselves heard, the Jets still do have some cleaning up to do on both sides of the ball. Unlike most seasons though, the Jets have a little more pep in their step and are playing more to their capabilities now than they have in a long time. However, Bill Bellichick has ideas for how to approach the Jets and knows how to play to their weaknesses. As much as I hate to say it, the Jets will adjust more into the season today and put up a fight but I don't see them having enough to push through for the win. I'll take the Patriots in this one by a score of 17-10.

-Miles Chamberlain