New England Patriots at New York Jets

The Patriots and Jets will meet on Sunday in a key matchup within the all of a sudden aggressive AFC East.

When the Patriots run – Edge: Jets

The Patriots problem to proceed working the ball at a excessive degree will elevate considerably on Sunday on the highway towards the Jets. New York’s stout entrance is without doubt one of the finest in soccer, led by Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Rankins and Solomon Thomas within the center. They spearhead a run protection that enables simply 105.3 yards per recreation (eleventh within the league) and much more impressively simply 3.9 yards per carry, which ranks third. Veteran center linebacker C.J. Mosley has helped solidify issues for the younger Jets protection as effectively, whereas Kwon Alexander and Quincy Williams encompass him behind stout ends Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers. That group will make life troublesome for the Patriots, who’ve struggled to run the ball towards poor run defenses every of the previous two weeks. Both Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris have been efficient on the bottom at occasions, with Stevenson lately rising because the lead again as Harris handled hamstring points, but it surely’s been powerful sledding as of late. The offensive line, which had solidified in latest weeks, could also be with out middle David Andrews who left the Bears loss with a head harm. This will probably be a big problem because the younger Jets protection has led the way in which throughout the group’s four-game profitable streak.

When the Patriots move – Edge: Jets

New York’s secondary has been virtually as spectacular because the entrance seven, permitting simply 209 yards passing per recreation (twelfth within the league) and 6 yards per play, which is nice for seventh. Making that efficiency much more noteworthy is the presence of rookie Sauce Gardner as New York’s high nook. Rookies are often picked on however Gardner has greater than held his personal for a secondary that has made performs all season. Veteran D.J. Reed mans the opposite nook whereas Michael Carter serves because the nickel again. Safeties Lamarcus Joyner and Jordan Whitehead have been strong on the again finish, with Joyner main the group with three picks. The Patriots are nonetheless finalizing their plans at quarterback with Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones each seeing time final week towards the Bears. Jones was shaky in his first motion after struggling a excessive ankle sprain within the Week 3 loss to Baltimore, however he appeared to make it by means of the sport with none additional setbacks so it is potential that he’ll look extra snug towards the Jets. Jakobi Meyers continues to be probably the most dependable goal among the many wideouts, and DeVante Parker and rookie Tyquan Thornton have been within the combine as effectively. Williams can wreak havoc within the backfield and leads the group with 5 sacks, placing the highlight on the inside offensive line. That group should maintain as much as permit whichever quarterback performs the time to take advantage of the younger secondary.

When the Jets run – Edge: Patriots

New York was dealt an enormous blow when it misplaced star rookie working again Breece Hall to a torn ACL. Hall was averaging virtually 6 yards per carry and lately had been crimson scorching, together with Sunday in Denver when he ripped off a 62-yard landing run earlier than leaving with the devastating knee harm. He had 463 yards and 4 touchdowns, however now the Jets should discover manufacturing elsewhere. One place they might discover it’s Jacksonville, the place the Jaguars despatched working again James Robinson north in a commerce earlier within the week. Second-year again Michael Carter (no relation to the cornerback) has 228 yards and a pair of touchdowns however averages simply 3.5 yards per carry, an enormous dropoff from Hall. Since permitting practically 200 yards in a loss in Green Bay, issues had improved for New England’s run protection. The Patriots managed Detroit and Cleveland on the bottom, and so they’ll have to proceed that robust play towards a Jets group that desires to be bodily. Chicago had its approach with the Patriots Monday night time and that may’t proceed. Hall is not the one key a part of the Jets working recreation that will probably be lacking as guard Alijah Vera-Tucker is out for the season due to a torn triceps suffered Sunday in Denver. Vera-Tucker has been a gentle element alongside an offensive line that has handled a number of accidents throughout the season. Coach Robert Saleh needs his group’s identification hooked up to the working recreation, and the Patriots should meet the problem.

When the Jets move – Edge: Patriots

Second-year quarterback Zach Wilson has achieved a significantly better job of avoiding turnovers and unfavorable performs this season, however he hasn’t made many large performs both. Wilson is 4-0 after lacking the primary three weeks because of a knee harm suffered throughout the preseason, however he is been principally a caretaker somewhat than a driving drive behind the success. Wilson tried solely 101 passes in these 4 begins whereas his backup, Joe Flacco, threw 155 occasions in his three begins. Wilson is finishing solely 57.4 % and has only one landing move towards two picks regardless of the presence of a strong group of receivers. Rookie Garrett Wilson leads the group with 28 catches for 314 yards and a pair of TDs whereas Corey Davis (19-351-2) and Elijah Moore (16-203-0) even have been featured. Moore has been sad together with his function within the offense and was a wholesome scratch in Denver after requesting a commerce. Saleh says he is going nowhere, and that is not shocking given his expertise. Look for his return Sunday. Braxton Berrios is utilized in a wide range of methods and has a pair of speeding touchdowns to his credit score. And tight finish Tyler Conklin (26-230-1) and Carter (20-151-0) are additionally large components of the passing recreation. Wilson hasn’t been dangerous for many of the season however he hasn’t proven the dynamic flashes he did as a rookie when he made too many errors to reduce the influence of these splash performs. The Patriots secondary has been strong over the previous month, final week however, and given Wilson’s limitations that ought to proceed.

Special Teams – Edge: Jets

The Patriots have been sporadic on particular groups for many of the season. The kickers on each side have been efficient with New York’s Greg Zuerlein (13 of 15 on FGs) and Nick Folk (10 of 12) each approaching perfection. Rookie Marcus Jones has given the punt return recreation a carry, averaging 13.5 yards on seven returns whereas Berrios has been strong for the Jets as effectively, averaging 13 yards on his seven makes an attempt. Both maintain their very own on kickoff returns additionally with Berrios averaging 26 yards with a protracted of 42 whereas Jones averages 23.7 yards with a protracted of 37. Punters Jake Bailey and Braden Mann have not been as efficient as their teammates, notably Bailey, who ranks close to the underside of the league with a 35.4-yard web common. Mann has managed to place 11 punts contained in the 20 towards simply three touchbacks, however he will get rather more work than Bailey. The Jets have punted 36 occasions whereas the Patriots have solely achieved so 26 occasions. Bailey’s struggles have led to some breakdowns in punt protection as effectively, and Berrios has taken benefit in related conditions this season.