New England Patriots vs. New York Jets II: Predictions, point spread, game plans, matchups and more

21 Oct 2019

MassLive.com

New England Patriots vs New York Jets II Predictions point spread game plans matchups and more

The Jets host the Patriots in their second meeting of the season for Monday Night Football

How much better are the Jets at home and how much better at they with Sam Darnold under center?

It’s only been four weeks since the Patriots continued their recent mastery of the rivalry with their AFC East rivals, 30-14 at Gillette Stadium. But that game was in Foxborough and the Jets had overmatched third-stringer Luke Falk under center while Darnold recovered from mononucleosis.

Darnold returned last week and looked terrific against the Dallas Cowboys. He’ll face a Patriots defense that’s been dominant so far. But the New England offense is banged up with Josh Gordon, Rex Burkhead, Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosse out and Julian Edelman and Philip Dorsett officially questionable.

The Patriots have had extra time for preparation coming off a Thursday game 11 days ago, but the Jets, who’ve been kicked around in recent years come in with plenty of motivation.

WEATHER (Via Accuweather)

Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Kickoff time: 8:15 p.m.

Temperature: 58

RealFeel: 57

Wind (MPH): 5 mph

Precipitation: 0 chance of rain

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ODDS AND POINT SPREADS

Bovada: Patriots -10

Vegas Insider: Patriots -9.5

Over/under: 43.5

PATRIOTS OFFENSE VS. JETS DEFENSE

The Jets’ offensive troubles have kept their defense on the field more than is ideal, but the New York defense has been mostly a middle-of-the-pack unit:

Their 24.6 points per game allowed is 20th in the league.

Their 358.0 yards allowed is 17th including 262.2 passing yards (24th) and 95.8 rushing yards (14th).

New England leads the NFL at 31.7 points per game and their passing yards (284.8) is fifth.

Ben Watson, who is making his 2019 debut at tight end for the Patriots. The 38-year-old, who was suspended, cut then re-signed figures to be rusty, but with Josh Gordon, Rex Burkhead and two tight ends out for the Patriots, he could be somebody Tom Brady trusts right away.

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PATRIOTS DEFENSE VS. JETS OFFENSE

After sitting out all of last year Le’Veon Bell hasn’t quite made the impact both he and the Jets were hoping for. The former Steeler is averaging 51.2 yards per game on the ground for a New York team whose 64.0 rushing yards per game is in the NFL’s bottom three. Granted that was hurt by opponents focusing on stopping the run with Falk an obviously liability at quarterback.

Still the Patriots are third in the NFL in rushing defensive yards allowing just 73.7 per game.

New England’s 8.0 points per game average is by far the best in the NFL to this point. The Jets’ 220.0 total yards per game is the worst in the NFL and their 12.6 points per game is second worst, but again, that’s all tempered by Darnold’s return.

Darnold has been sacked six times in two games and the Patriots are second in the NFL with 25 sacks in six games.

On top of that, New England leads the NFL with 14 interceptions. Darnold had pick problems last year as a rookie but has been intercepted just once this year.

SPECIAL TEAMS

JETS

K: Sam Ficken - 2/3 on field goals, 5/5 on extra points

P: Lachlan Edwards - 46.8 yards per punt

KR/PR: Trenton Cannon - 19.2 yards per kickoff return/ Braxton Berrios -7.8 yards per punt return

DVOA rank: 9th

New England

K: Mike Nugent - 2/3 on field goals, 8/9 on extra points

P: Jake Bailey - 45.8 yards per punt

KR/PR: Brandon Bolden (21.2 YPR) / Gunner Olszewski (8.6 YPR)

DVOA rank: 25th

INJURY REPORT