Three key matchups for the Patriots as they take on the Jets

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CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 16: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots celebrates while scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) /

Key matchups for the Patriots in week eight

Patriots tight ends vs. Jets linebackers/safeties

The Jets secondary is off to a great start in 2022 and rookie corner Sauce Gardner, in particular, has been quite impressive. He leads the league in passes defended with 12 while adding one interception. With Mac Jones still coming back from injury, I’m not sure if the Patriots will ask him to win the game by attacking the boundaries.

Sauce Gardner is PFF’s highest graded rookie CB through 7 games (min. 300 snaps)

The Jets rookie CB currently leads the league in passes defensed with 12 🔒 pic.twitter.com/mCBGwSaAEi
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) October 28, 2022

So where does Jones turn? How about the tight ends, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. It looked like both of them were starting to find their stride with Bailey Zappe during week six in Cleveland but they were unable to get off the ground on Monday. The Jets have given up the fifth-most receptions (42) to tight ends this season and teams have had success in recent weeks. Denver tight ends caught eight passes for 73 yards, Green Bay tight ends caught 11 balls for 99 yards and Pittsburgh had eight receptions for 87 yards. This would be a good week for Jones to get going with his two highly-paid tight ends.

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