New England Patriots: AFC East proving to be more difficult than expected

The New England Patriots were able to move into first place in the AFC East. However, the New York Jets proved to be a tough test.

Coming into Week 6, the New England Patriots were more than a touchdown favorite against the New York Jets. Despite the Jets and Patriots having the same record and it being a home game for the Jets, it was the Patriots who were predicted to win big.

To start the game, the Jets made it very clear that they came to play against the Patriots. The Jets were able to blitz the Patriots early on, as they opened up a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. New England would be able to weather the storm, as they scored two unanswered touchdowns to tie the game at halftime.

New England was able to open up a lead in the second half, but the Jets were right there with them the whole way. The Patriots ended up winning by seven, but a controversial call at the goal line on an Austin Seferian-Jenkins catch really hurt the Jets’ chances of winning.

Coming into the season, the Patriots were predicted by many to win the AFC East with ease. However, the rest of the AFC East has not laid down just yet. The Jets, Bills, and Dolphins all have three wins through six weeks, and the Patriots haven’t been able to run away with the division just yet.

If the game against the Jets was any indication, the AFC East matchups for the Patriots are going to be challenging this season. All four teams appear to be very capable of winning games this season, and teams would surely love to upset the Patriots.

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The Patriots will have to wait a month before they play another division opponent. While a lot can change between now and then, the AFC East has proven to be a bit more difficult than originally thought.