Jets Vs Patriots Preview (We're Back)

After a much needed bye week for the New York Jets, they go into Foxborough for their second meeting this season with the new look Patriots and Mac Jones. When these two teams scrapped it out back in week 2 at Metlife, Jets QB Zach Wilson might have seen a few ghosts that day. He threw 4 interceptions leading to a Patriots domination as they beat the Jets 25-6 to spoil their home opener. For the Jets to get their first regular season win in New England since the 2008 season, they must buckle down and play a game consisting of 4 strong quarters.

For the Jets injury report today, RB Tevin Coleman is listed as questionable today with a hamstring injury, TE Tyler Kroft is out with a back injury, and CJ Mosley is listed as doubtful also with a hamstring injury. The loss of Mosley defensively will definitely play a factor with a young, inexperienced defense around him. Hopefully, he is ok to play, but assuming he isn't, the Jets will have to work around the fact. Jamien Sherwood would most likely start in his place. 

Following the Jets London showdown with the Falcons two weeks ago, the Jets sit at 1-4 now and HC Robert Saleh has said that he believes this team is realizing what has gone wrong early in this season and now is their time to fix things, according to the New York Post. Another underlying factor to the lack of success early in the year is how the Jets have been trailing first in every game this year. They average just 7 offensive plays in first quarters alone this year, again according to New York Post. With that said, the defense is on the field for too many plays, and in turn, conceding a lot in that time. Hopefully, the Jets can buckle down offensively today and come out firing on all cylinders rather than a measly 3 and out drive early in this game. Setting a tone early with a team like the Patriots is how you can keep up.

For the Patriots preview today, It cannot go without saying that rookie QB Mac Jones has had his moments to shine this year, even though the Patriots have had some tough losses early in the year. His only two wins so far this year were against the Jets (unfortunately) and the Houston Texans. Despite the losses, Jones has continued to strive in the right direction and will look to continue to improve and bring the Patriots back into the postseason once again. Some other key offensive players in the mix for the Patriots include RB Damien Harris, who ran the ball well despite only rushing for 62 yards last time these teams met, along with WR's Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne. Meyers has been a tough cover for the Jets secondary when playing the Patriots in the past, as he has a quick first step and can get open easily. As for Bourne, he has been improving and seeing more success in recent weeks as well. 

Defensively, the Patriots are scrappy and would lean from the middle to upper half of the league statistically wise. A big part of their success on defense comes from offseason signing Matthew Judon, who came from the Ravens. He leads the team in sacks with 6.5 sacks, and I very much expect him to give Jets OT Morgan Moses or OT George Fant a difficult time depending on which side he lines up on. They also feature CB J.C. Jackson and CB Jalen Mills, who both have done well in their roles with the team so far. Lastly, veteran S Devin McCourty helps solidify one of the more solid secondaries in the league. This matchup doesn't bode well for Jets receivers. 

Jets RB Michael Carter is a key piece
in order for the Jets backfield to succeed.

In order for the Jets to continue to head in the right direction, the run game must continue to be utilized, as the Jets rank last in team rushing yards in the league. RB Michael Carter should be the Jets highlighted back, and the more he is fed the ball during games, he can become more trusted as well. Not to take away from the passing game, but Wilson has made some questionable decisions throwing downfield so far throughout the year, and with a little to nonfactor run game, the Jets lose an entire element of the offense. Feed Michael Carter the ball. Along with feeding Carter more, taking chances downfield isn't a bad thing, but it cannot come to the point where it is predictable. The Jets can continue to utilize key players like WR Corey Davis and continue to use whatever offensively works. The Jets won't take that step ahead until the running game issue is fixed. 

For today's prediction, this game in a sense is like a "trap game" for the Jets. The Jets haven't played well in New England and have succumbed to the crowd and intimidation factor. Right now, the Jets have things to fix and it's not about winning the sprint, it's about winning the marathon. These offensive issues will not be resolved in one game. As much as it hurts to not take the Jets, I simply did and continue to not see this game as a winnable game on the schedule. I'll take the Patriots to win this one pretty easily by a score of 21-3. 

-Miles Chamberlain 

Both rookie QB's (Zach Wilson and Mac Jones)
rematch for the second time this season