New York Jets (2-5) will face the New England Patriots (1-6) on Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT, live on CBS. According to BetMGM, the Jets are favored by seven points. In terms of performance against the spread, the Jets are 2-5 while the Patriots are 1-5-1. Historically, the Patriots hold a slight edge in their matchup, leading the series 74-56-1, although the Jets triumphed 24-3 during their last encounter on September 19.
Both teams are struggling, with the Jets coming off a disappointing 37-15 loss to the Steelers, marking their fourth consecutive defeat. Similarly, the Patriots experienced a 32-16 loss to the Jaguars in London, extending their losing streak to six games. This season, the Jets offense ranks 23rd overall, including 31st in rushing, but finds a brighter spot in passing, ranking 11th. They are 24th in scoring. Conversely, the Patriots’ offense struggles significantly, ranked 30th overall, with poor performances in both passing (31st) and scoring (30th). Defensively, the Jets shine, being 6th overall, while the Patriots occupy the 25th position.
QB Aaron Rodgers is a crucial player for the Jets. He is currently dealing with soreness in his left hamstring and knee, alongside a sprained left ankle suffered earlier this month. Despite these issues, Rodgers insists they haven’t affected his throwing ability, though his performance has dipped since his strong showing against the Patriots. Over the last four games, he has recorded five touchdown passes but has thrown six interceptions.
For the Patriots, watch out for QB Drake Maye, who has shown promise since his first start. After a shaky debut, where he threw for three touchdowns alongside three turnovers, Maye improved in his second match without any turnovers. If he continues this upward trend, he could become a source of hope for the struggling franchise.
A key aspect of this matchup is the battle between the Patriots’ offensive line and the Jets’ pass rush. In their first encounter, New York registered seven sacks, two of which were by Will McDonald. With the Patriots set to field their eighth different offensive line combination in as many games, Maye could have a challenging day, especially if edge rusher Haason Reddick makes his season debut for the Jets.
In terms of injuries, the Jets are facing challenges in the safety position, with Chuck Clark on injured reserve and other starters like Tony Adams struggling with injuries. Backup Ashtyn Davis is also in concussion protocol, making his status uncertain. Key offensive players like WR Allen Lazard, RG Alijah Vera-Tucker, and defensive tackle Leki Fotu missed early-week practices. However, cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Michael Carter II are likely to return from their injuries.
On the Patriots’ side, Maye is dealing with a minor knee issue but participated in all practices. WR Ja’Lynn Polk is currently in the concussion protocol, while DE Keion White missed practice but has been more vocal than usual, signaling a potential return.
Historically in this series, the Patriots dominated the Jets with a 15-game winning streak until New York broke the trend last season. The Jets won last September, and a victory this week would mark their first season sweep of the Patriots since 2000. New England has traditionally performed well at Gillette Stadium against the Jets, possessing a 18-4 record.
Looking at various stats, Jeff Ulbrich has yet to claim a win as the Jets’ interim head coach after taking over for Robert Saleh. Rodgers is nearing a troubling career milestone with seven interceptions this season, five away from his personal record established in 2008. It’s noteworthy that WR Garrett Wilson is enjoying a standout season, leading the league in targets.
In fantasy football, WR Davante Adams from the Jets had a muted performance in his debut, catching three passes for 30 yards. However, with time to gel with Rodgers, there’s potential for him to make a more significant impact against the Patriots’ beleaguered secondary.
Overall, this game carries significant consequences for both teams as they attempt to shift the trajectory of their seasons.