New England Patriots: Staff Predictions Week Two vs New York Jets
By Hal Bent
Hal Bent:
Sep 8, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) grabs Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Patriots beat the Bills 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Primetime night games against the Jets bring back so many memories: the Sunday night “Can the Tuna” game in week three of 1997 when New York Jets head coach Bill Parcells came to Foxboro to battle the Sons of Pumped and Jacked Pete Carroll (one of my all-time non-playoff favorite game I was ever in attendance for–the old Foxboro Stadium was rocking that night!); and who can forget the infamous Butt Fumble game of Thursday, November 22, 2012 where the Patriots officially ended the Mark Sanchez era (error?) in New York. This year should be another classic as the Patriots and Jets both are fighting early injuries on offense.
New England has the biggest advantage: no cornerback Darrelle Revis in the Jets secondary now, and quarterback Tom Brady behind a solid offensive line. Add in the New England defense coming off a strong performance against the Bills, and the Patriots should be able to keep a Jets offense in desperate need of playmakers stuck in neutral. No matter who lines up to catch passes for New England, they improve just by having Brady dissecting the defense and throwing the ball their way.
With the Patriots basically playing the exact same defense in Buffalo last week, New England has the edge in preparation with a short week. Expect the running game to pound away all game at the Jets stout front seven and Brady to pick apart the inexperienced secondary of the Jets off play-action. The Jets will put up a fight, but it will not be enough.
Prediction: New England Patriots 30 – New York Jets 12
OK, that’s the way we see the game ending up here at MusketFire.com!
What do you think?
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