Key Aspects Jets Must Conquer Against Patriots On TNF

The New York Jets are set to take on their division rivals, the New England Patriots, in their home opener on Thursday night. Both teams are 1-1 and looking to solidify their second-place finish in the AFC East standings.

Contents

Stop the race
Give the defense a clue

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With all the expectations for the Jets, this game should be considered a must-win game for a team that is in the mix this year. The Patriots, who were expected to end up as one of the worst teams in football this year, have outdone themselves in at least the first two games of the season. They beat the Joe Burrow-led Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 and even had to go to overtime in their loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

It’s foolish to consider this game an easy win for the Jets and the fact that Vegas bookmakers have the Jets as 6.5-point favorites is pretty interesting considering how this team has performed. The Jets haven’t played up to par, especially defensively, but this game could be a good time to get back on track and improve their record to 2-1. They’ll have a tough task ahead of them, so there will be a few factors that will play into their winning ways.

RELATED: TNF Prediction: Jets Have Edge Against Weaker Patriots

Stop the race

One of the biggest concerns for the Jets defense this year is being able to stop the run. Through the first two games, they have allowed a combined 310 rushing yards. Head coach Robert Saleh mentioned after Week 1 against the 49ers how they were going to improve the defense.

They did a much better job limiting the running game in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans, but with the loss of run stopper and pass rusher Jermaine Johnson, that only makes a weaker aspect of the Jets’ defense even more vulnerable.

The Jets are facing a Patriots team whose identity is running the ball. Rhamondre Stevenson is the most efficient RB in this room and has been a valuable asset to them since signing his four-year, $36 million contract extension last offseason. In just two games, he has been the catalyst for what the Patriots have accomplished, rushing for 201 yards in that span, which ranks fifth in the NFL among RBs. He also has two touchdowns to his credit, both of which have come at the most opportune times in those games.

Fortunately for the Jets, the Patriots’ offensive line is not great and has been hit by injuries, as starting LT Vederian Lowe (knee) and starting LG Sidy Sow (ankle) have already been ruled out. Starting center David Andrews (hip) and RT Mike Onwenu (wrist) are doubtful, meaning that almost their entire offensive line is injured. This bodes well for players like DE Michael Clemons and LB Quincy Williams who will have a great chance to be a force on the ground game, especially with Johnson out and CJ Mosley available for tomorrow night in question.

For the Jets to stop the run, they need to stack the box and keep Stevenson in front of them. Being able to keep Stevenson at bay on first and second downs is going to be crucial. The goal of tomorrow night’s game is to force third and long downs, which means they’ll have no choice but to punt.

The Patriots’ QB is lacking as they are led by Jacoby Brissett. He’s been a backup for most of his career, but he’s been terrific in his second tenure with the team so far in 2024. He’s been a game manager in New England this year, passing for a combined 270 yards in his first two games and completing 36 of 56 passes in that span, which is a 64% completion percentage. In other words, if the Patriots get out of their comfort zone and throw the ball, the Jets should have a great home opener.

Give the defense a clue

We saw last Sunday what can happen when the Jets offense gives the defense a hard time. After Jets RB Braelon Allen gave the Jets the lead late in the 4th quarter, the Jets defense put up a huge fight to stop Titans QB Will Levis and ultimately win the game.

They were also on the other side of the coin in Week 1, when the 49ers were able to keep the ball away from the Jets’ offense. Not only did they dominate the time of possession, but they scored on eight consecutive drives, giving the Jets little to no chance of winning.

The Patriots are not the 49ers at all, which bodes well for New York. Their offense is exceptional, but the lack of talent, other than running backs, is far inferior to what the Jets’ defense brings.

With RB Breece Hall and rookie Braelon Allen in the Jets’ backfield as the new two-headed monster, this is the game where the Jets need to be dominant on the ground. Controlling the time of possession not only keeps the ball away from the Patriots’ running game, but if the Jets can run effectively, it just opens up the passing game to one of the greatest QBs of all time in Aaron Rodgers, even at 40 years old.