Intriguing Game- NFL, Week 11
New York Jets at New England Patriots
Jets: The last time they stepped on a football field, they did the impossible and did what nobody expected of them to do and that’s beat the Buffalo Bills who have been widely regarded as not only the best team in the AFC, but the best team in the entire National Football League. I was wondering how they’d bounce back after losing the previous week. Their identity is simple: Run the football and play defense which they’ve done consistently. Last week when I was on the “NerdZone”, one of the hosts of the show stated that to beat the Jets, you take away the running game and make Zach Wilson beat you. That wasn’t the case when they played the New England Patriots a few weeks back. I respectfully disagreed because one, after losing Breece Hall with a torn ACL, the Jets acquired James Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars and he doesn’t know much of the offense and two, they completely got away from their identity. I can’t stress it enough: If something is working for you and that’s become the formula for you winning games and being successful, stick with it! Don’t jump out of your box! If the playoffs were to start today, they’d be in for the first time since 2010. Their bye week is over, and they’ll face the team that snapped their winning streak a few weeks ago, but this time in Massachusetts.
Patriots: It was around this time last season when they found their swagger and got on a run. After a slow start, they’re beginning to pick it up some. I’ll never count a Bill Belichick led team out of anything. He can work with what he has on his roster and go from there. I’ll say this. The Patriots offense doesn’t scare as it did during the Brady days which is expected of anyone to say. Is Mac Jones the answer at Quarterback? I’ll say that’s debatable, but they need to do a better job of surrounding him with some weapons. Help your young Quarterback and put him in the best position to succeed. No disrespect, but DeVante Parker and Jakobi Meyers don’t put fear into my defense. If anything, the defense’s job is to bottle up the running game which has been carrying the New England offense the last two seasons and make Mac win the football game. If you know anything about a Belichick coached team, he will try to win the game in three ways. He’ll establish the ground game, win with Special Teams and the defense will always be stingy. Speaking of that side of the ball, I could watch Matthew Judon play football every single day. I loved his game in Baltimore and I’m loving the impact he’s having in Foxboro. He’s my second favorite for Defensive Player of the Year behind Micah Parsons. Every Patriots defense always has one guy that stands out. Look at Stephon Gilmore back in 2019. He was their tone setter and I get that same feeling from Matthew. The Patriots return from the bye week to host the Jets.
Jets X-Factor: Solomon Thomas– You better have game if you have two first names. He played for Robert Saleh back in San Francisco when Robert was the Defensive Coordinator for the 49ers. Solomon is so quick off the ball, and I think that’s the one thing people don’t realize about him until they watch him. Even when he’s blocked up the field and out of the play, he’s still pursuing the football. Those are the guys you’d go 150 percent for, especially if you’re playing with them. This Jets defensive line has been so much fun to watch this year.
Patriots X-Factor: Deatrich Wise Jr.– This is a whole grown man on that defensive line for the Patriots. Deatrich is one of those pieces you tend to forget about considering he plays alongside Matthew Judon who’s been the force of this New England defense. His specialty is rushing the passer. All of Belichick’s defenses have always had a guy who gets to the Quarterback, and he’s had some good ones over the years such as Richard Seymour, Chris Long and Jamie Collins to name a few.
Final Thoughts: These two met a few weeks back and the Patriots continued their winning streak over the Jets. That New England defense was all over Zach Wilson as they forced three interceptions. The way Zach played a week later against the Buffalo Bills is what must happen on Sunday in Foxboro. I’ll be watching to see how he bounces back from that awful game back in October. The Jets must also stick to their identity. Run the football. Don’t abandon what’s got you in playoff position at this moment. New England will do all they can to ugly this game up. The ground game, defense and special teams will be key. Also, pressuring Wilson and forcing him to make inept throws will always be crucial. I don’t see many points being scored in this game. Expect this to be low scoring and physical.
Prediction: Patriots 20, Jets 13
