AFC Game Of The Week
New England Patriots at New York Jets
Patriots: Either they’re doing really well and I’m able to explain why they’re on cue and succeeding or, they’re really bad when they lose. There’s no in between and that’s exactly what you saw last Monday night against the Chicago Bears. First, I wouldn’t have started Mac Jones. They were doing just fine with Bailey Zappe as their starting Quarterback and they were winning games. I said it a few weeks ago and I’ll repeat myself. I’m a firm believer in remaining with the hot hand. I saw them last week getting punched in the mouth and the Bears just played with more energy. It’s that simple. The Patriots couldn’t get out of their own way. As we know, these aren’t the Patriots teams we saw with Brady. We knew that wouldn’t be the case after he left for Tampa Bay. Their philosophy is simple. Run the football, control the clock, play good defense and win with Special Teams. What will help New England improve their offense is getting a game changing Wide Receiver. They don’t have any possession guys that can go up and get the ball. I’m talking about the guys that you know are getting the football in the red zone and there’s no answer to stop it. They get that, their entire offensive dynamic changes. Until then, none of these receivers scare me or put fear into my defense. Defense will forever be a Belichick staple. He’s called the “evil genius” for a reason. They will look to bounce back on Sunday afternoon in East Rutherford.
Jets: I’ve seen such a huge improvement in watching them. They take after their Head Coach. Robert Saleh is an energy guy and it’s spread throughout this entire organization. The same things I’ve said about the New York Giants can be applied to the Jets as well. I see a team that wants to play for the Head Coach. There’s no way they’re on this winning streak under Adam Gase or Todd Bowles. You don’t see the energy with them you see now because they didn’t want to play for those guys. I’ve paid more attention to them since that win at Lambeau Field over the Green Bay Packers. When I watch this Jets team this year, I’m often reminded of their groups back when Rex Ryan was coaching them. A strong running game and stingy defense with a great Cornerback anchoring things. Under Rex, that was when Mark Sanchez was quarterbacking the team and the defense was one of the best in the business with a star Cornerback in Darrelle Revis in the backend. Who could forget Revis Island? Since Zach Wilson has come back, they’ve yet to lose a football game. They’ve won four in a row to be exact, and they’ve done it with a punishing defense and consistent ground game. How solid has Quinnen Williams been? He’s got five sacks on the year. They return home for a divisional showdown on Sunday.
Patriots X-Factor: Hunter Henry– He’s the only true threat I fear in the New England passing game. Over the years, the Patriots have implemented the Tight Ends as a part of their scheme for years now. Hunter is the only weapon in their passing attack that can consistently create some type of separation and make a play upon the football. He’s that threat over the middle and the Jets must account for him on Sunday afternoon. None of the other weapons in their passing game cut it for me.
Jets X-Factor: Garrett Wilson– I was a fan of his at Ohio State for many reasons. Out of that trio of receivers (Olave, Wilson and Smith-Njigba), Garrett was the best route runner of them all. The Jets made sure to get Zach a weapon and this was the perfect piece for the Quarterback. The Jets use him in so many ways such as jet sweeps (no pun intended), wide and in the slot, where I feel he does his most damage. Garrett has great speed and a great separation off the snap of the ball. The future is bright for him.
Final Thoughts: This is a rivalry with many memorable moments. Mark Sanchez’s infamous “butt fumble” is one, their playoff game back during the 2010 season when the Jets stunned the Patriots in Foxboro is another and I’ll never forget Rex Ryan saying he didn’t come in to come and kiss Belichick’s rings. Years later, here we are. What is Belichick known for? Taking away your biggest strength as a football team and forcing you to beat him a different way. Watch New England come in and throw an 11-man box at the Jets to take away the running game which has been their strength. They will do all they can to make Zach beat them. This Jets defense will be active in getting after Mac Jones. I also want to see how the Jets will attempt to get their running game going without Breece Hall who tore his ACL last weekend. The Jets have lost 12 straight games to the Patriots. Their last win against New England came in 2015.
Prediction: Jets 23, Patriots 20
