New England Patriots vs New York Jets: 5 Matchups to Watch

Nov 27, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Jonathan Freeny (55) causes New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) to fumble during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Jonathan Freeny (55) causes New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) to fumble during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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New England Patriots
Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) reacts as he leaves the field following the win against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 16-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Martellus Bennett vs Darron Lee, David Harris

When the New England Patriots first played the Jets, tight end Rob Gronkowski was a non-factor due to injury. However, a big part of the role of Martellus Bennett has been to be “Gronk Insurance” in case of injury. With Gronkowski on injured reserve, Bennett is the only real receiving option at tight end.

Bennett played 79% of the snaps against the Jets in Week 12 and that snap percentage number has risen. Last week he played 89% of the snaps versus the Broncos. Despite battling leg and shoulder injuries much of the season, Bennett has been a solid contributor on offense. He has 50 receptions for 649 yards and five touchdowns through 14 games.

To counter Bennett, the Jets will use a number of options on defense. Usually with Gronkowski  it would be some combination of safety Calvin Pryor and the linebackers. In the previous match-up, Bennett saw a lot of inside linebackers Darron Lee and David Harris in coverage.

Lee is a 22-year-old rookie who the Jets drafted in the first round at 20th overall. Despite his lofty draft position, New York had planned to ease him into the defense. An injury to veteran Erin Henderson shut down his season after just five games and opened up a starting role inside for Lee.

Lee brings size, strength, and much-needed speed to the New York linebackers.  He and third round draft pick Jordan Jenkins (who plays outside linebacker) have been getting much-needed playing time as rookies. Lee–with his physical abilities in coverage–should get most of the coverage responsibility for Bennett this week.

One matchup that quarterback Tom Brady will look to exploit is if New York inside linebacker David Harris is in coverage of Bennett. Brady will show no sympathy for his fellow University of Michigan alumnus if Harris is forced to cover the bigger, quicker Bennett in the open field.

Harris is an excellent tackler and run-defender, but struggles in coverage. Bennett was not a huge part of the offense last week, but did contribute with a 34-yard catch and rumble exploiting Denver’s inexperienced inside linebacker Todd Davis in coverage for a huge play.

More of those kinds of plays from Bennett will be important for the offense down the stretch and in the playoffs. This week should be a good test for the Patriots’ tight end and present some match-ups he should win in the passing game.