What experts are predicting for Thursday’s Patriots-Jets game
Could this week be the first time we get to see Drake Maye?
COMMENTARY
Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett enjoyed a whopping three days off this week after he was pummeled by a Seattle defense that gave him little time to even introduce himself to his wide receivers. Cameras consistently caught Brissett wincing in pain as he picked himself up from the ground — repeatedly — in the Patriots’ 23-20 overtime loss.
So, will Week 3 be the first time we get to see Drake Maye?
Whether you support playing the rookie or not, the countdown to Maye’s first regular-season appearance in the NFL has officially started. Not because Patriot wide receivers are complaining about their involvement. Nor is it because the rookie has been deemed ready to play. But, quite simply, Brissett is not going to last.
While the Patriots have thus far proven to be more interesting than most of us imagined, the offensive line is still the crater-sized problem it was a year ago. Brissett can kill some time with the attack upon him, but he’s not like Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, or Anthony Richardson. Nobody expected him to be.
Maye has that ability as well, but can he make the play after scrambling, something Brissett has rarely been able to do with anyone not named Hunter Henry through the first two games?
One of the continuous hits leveled on Brissett is going to send the 31-year-old veteran to the sideline at some point. With only three days rest, could it be tonight?
This week’s predictions:
Globe staff: Four of six go with New England (+6).
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Jets 20, Patriots 16. “This is a game featuring two 1-1 teams with the Jets playing at home for the first time this season. The Jets offense showed some life in the second half last week against the Titans. That could carry over against a Pats defense that gave up a lot of big plays last week. I also look for a better showing by the Jets defense. Jets take it, but the Pats hang around.”
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times: Jets 23, Patriots 18. “Jets losing defensive end Jermaine Johnson really hurts them. The Patriots are looking much better than expected. The Jets have more playmakers, but New England keeps it closer than some might suspect.”
Vic Tafur, The Athletic: Jets (-6.5). “This is a trap line, as everybody (myself included) is going to want to back Aaron Rodgers against a Patriots team widely perceived as being awful before the season. The Patriots shocked the Bengals in Week 1 and then lost in overtime to the Seahawks last week despite Jacoby Brissett seemingly not throwing a pass over 10 yards and left tackle Vederian Lowe being the worst in the league (pressure rate at left tackle at 13.0 percent). It’s all Rhamondre Stevenson and that shouldn’t be enough against Rodgers, who can’t move anymore but can still sling it. He is the least-pressured QB in the league (18.2 percent of his dropbacks), due in part to averaging the second-fastest time to throw of 2.57 seconds. The Patriots couldn’t cover the Seattle receivers, and Garrett Wilson is due for a breakout game (while Mike Williams is rounding into shape). Also, teams coming off an overtime game are 5-24 against the spread on Thursdays, per BetMGM.”
ESPN staff: Four of six pick the Jets.
USA Today staff: All Jets.
MMQB staff: Same.
Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Jets 23, Patriots 21. “The Jets look as though they might be making progress with Aaron Rodgers, which is a good thing for the networks who want to put the Jets in prime time. The Patriots, meantime, lost their home opener in overtime, letting the Seahawks force the extra period with a last-minute field goal. Rodgers might note that Geno Smith passed for 327 yards against the Patriots. Did you know there have been only five 300-yard passing games and 14 100-yard rush games in two weeks?”
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: Jets 23, Patriots 13. “This is the other half of the AFC East division rivalry for TNF after the Bills ripped the Dolphins last week. The Jets got their first full-game Aaron Rodgers victory out of the way with their formula of running, defense, and a few timely pass plays. They should open things up a little more in the passing game with rising trust in the wide receivers and the Patriots likely focusing most on containing Breece Hall. The Jets’ defense can rip into a compressed, non-diverse Jacoby Brissett-led offense.”
Bill Bender, The Sporting News: Jets 24, Patriots 19. “Another AFC East divisional rivalry comes to Thursday Night Football. The Jets are balanced on offense, as Aaron Rodgers continues to settle in, but they are struggling in run defense. New England will favor a run-heavy attack around Rhamondre Stevenson to keep it close, but Jacoby Brissett is going to have to take some risks on the road. The Jets have not won a home game against the Patriots since 2015, but that changes on Thursday.”
It says here: Patriots 13, Jets 10. It’s the Jets, dude.
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