New England Patriots at New York Jets

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

When the Patriots run – Edge: Jets

The Patriots problem to proceed operating the ball at a excessive stage will increase considerably on Sunday on the highway in opposition to the Jets. New York’s stout entrance is among the finest in soccer, led by Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Rankins and Solomon Thomas within the center. They spearhead a run protection that permits simply 105.3 yards per sport (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 properly, whereas Kwon Alexander and Quincy Williams encompass him behind stout ends Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers. That group will make life tough for the Patriots, who’ve struggled to run the ball in opposition to poor run defenses every of the previous two weeks. Each Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris have been efficient on the bottom at instances, with Stevenson not too long ago rising because the lead again as Harris handled hamstring points, nevertheless it’s been powerful sledding as of late. The offensive line, which had solidified in latest weeks, could also be with out heart David Andrews who left the Bears loss with a head harm. This will likely be a big problem because the younger Jets protection has led the best way throughout the crew’s four-game successful streak.

When the Patriots move – Edge: Jets

New York’s secondary has been nearly as spectacular because the entrance seven, permitting simply 209 yards passing per sport (twelfth within the league) and 6 yards per play, which is sweet for seventh. Making that efficiency much more noteworthy is the presence of rookie Sauce Gardner as New York’s prime nook. Rookies are normally 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 stable on the again finish, with Joyner main the crew with three picks. The Patriots are nonetheless finalizing their plans at quarterback with Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones each seeing time final week in opposition to 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 the sport with none additional setbacks so it is doable that he’ll look extra snug in opposition to 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 properly. Williams can wreak havoc within the backfield and leads the crew with 5 sacks, placing the highlight on the inside offensive line. That group should maintain as much as enable whichever quarterback performs the time to use the younger secondary.

When the Jets run – Edge: Patriots

New York was dealt an enormous blow when it misplaced star rookie operating again Breece Corridor to a torn ACL. Corridor was averaging nearly 6 yards per carry and not too long ago 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 could discover it’s Jacksonville, the place the Jaguars despatched operating 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 Corridor. Since permitting practically 200 yards in a loss in Inexperienced Bay, issues had improved for New England’s run protection. The Patriots managed Detroit and Cleveland on the bottom, they usually’ll must proceed that sturdy play in opposition to a Jets crew that desires to be bodily. Chicago had its means with the Patriots Monday evening and that may’t proceed. Corridor is not the one key a part of the Jets operating sport that will likely 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 gradual part alongside an offensive line that has handled a number of accidents throughout the season. Coach Robert Saleh desires his crew’s id hooked up to the operating sport, 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 damaging performs this season, however he hasn’t made many massive performs both. Wilson is 4-0 after lacking the primary three weeks on account of a knee harm suffered throughout the preseason, however he is been largely a caretaker fairly than a driving power behind the success. Wilson tried solely 101 passes in these 4 begins whereas his backup, Joe Flacco, threw 155 instances in his three begins. Wilson is finishing solely 57.4 % and has only one landing move in opposition to two picks regardless of the presence of a stable group of receivers. Rookie Garrett Wilson leads the crew 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 position 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. Search for his return Sunday. Braxton Berrios is utilized in quite a lot 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 enormous elements of the passing sport. Wilson hasn’t been dangerous for a lot of the season however he hasn’t proven the dynamic flashes he did as a rookie when he made too many errors to attenuate the influence of these splash performs. The Patriots secondary has been stable over the previous month, final week however, and given Wilson’s limitations that ought to proceed.

Particular Groups – Edge: Jets

The Patriots have been sporadic on particular groups for a lot of the season. The kickers on either side have been efficient with New York’s Greg Zuerlein (13 of 15 on FGs) and Nick People (10 of 12) each approaching perfection. Rookie Marcus Jones has given the punt return sport a carry, averaging 13.5 yards on seven returns whereas Berrios has been stable for the Jets as properly, averaging 13 yards on his seven makes an attempt. Each 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, significantly Bailey, who ranks close to the underside of the league with a 35.4-yard internet common. Mann has managed to place 11 punts contained in the 20 in opposition to simply three touchbacks, however he will get far more work than Bailey. The Jets have punted 36 instances whereas the Patriots have solely achieved so 26 instances. Bailey’s struggles have led to some breakdowns in punt protection as properly, and Berrios has taken benefit in related conditions this season.