We are already getting the second installment of the New York Jets and the New England Patriots this season. This time around, the Patriots will be the home team as the Jets will hope to roll into Gillette Stadium and upset their AFC East foes. The first time these two teams met back in Week 2, New England trounced New York by a score of 25-6 as the road team.
Since that game, the Patriots have gone 1-3, with their lone win coming against the Houston Texans. As for the Jets, they’ve been able to secure just one win this season, which came against the Tennessee Titans in Week 4.
While both teams aren’t in a prime spot in the AFC right now, here are five reasons why the Patriots will defeat the Jets in Week 7.
Zach Wilson Will Struggle (Again) Versus New England’s Defense
Back in Week 2, it was a massive test for Zach Wilson in just his second career start for the Jets. Rookie quarterbacks have typically struggled versus Bill Belichick defenses, and that was the case in the first meeting. Wilson finished with 210 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and four interceptions in New York’s blowout loss at home to New England.
There have been flashes here and there from Wilson in his rookie campaign, but he’s still shown plenty of signs of needing time to improve in multiple areas. I expect Wilson to struggle again in Week 7 versus a Patriots defense that has sputtered in recent weeks.
Mac Jones Just Needs To Be Safe With The Football
In a game like Sunday’s, the Patriots don’t need Mac Jones to be special or anything. The first time these two teams met in Week 2, Jones wasn’t asked to do much as he completed 22 passes for only 186 yards. New England will likely stick with a conservative game plan in Week 7 as they lean on their ground game and their defense, especially with Jones having turnover issues in recent weeks.
For the Patriots to go 2-0 against their AFC East counterparts this season, all they need Jones to do is refrain from giving the ball to the Jets, which he was able to accomplish in Week 2.
Damien Harris Is Running Strong For The Patriots
Speaking of the ground game for the Patriots, Damien Harris continues to cement himself as the No. 1 running back in New England. Belichick has been hesitant to lean on any one guy in recent years, but Harris has clearly captured Belichick’s attention. Harris is coming off of a game where he rumbled for 101 yards and a touchdown on 18 attempts versus the Dallas Cowboys.
The Jets are allowing the 12th most rushing yards per game and Harris had 62 yards and a score in Week 2 versus New York’s defense. With James White still out for New England, I expect Harris to be the focal point of the offense for the Patriots in Week 7.
New York’s Pass Defense Isn’t Great
Even if the Patriots do want to see Jones make plays through the air, the pass defense of the Jets hasn’t been anything to be confident in. Up to this point of the season, New York owns the No. 23 ranked pass defense in terms of DVOA.
Jakobi Meyers has been Jones’ favorite target while Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, and Hunter Henry have stepped up in certain moments. The Patriots should have no issues throwing the ball to secure a lead, then they can give the ball to Harris to maintain the lead while the defense makes Wilson uncomfortable for the Jets.
If the game remains close, we could see Jones have his best performance of his rookie season.
Turnovers, Turnovers, And More Turnovers
Once again, the last time Wilson faced the Patriots in Week 2, he forced the issue too often against an opportunistic defense. Wilson threw four interceptions that aided New England’s efforts in posting 25 points. While it’s tough to project another four interceptions for Wilson, I’m expecting multiple turnovers from the first-year quarterback in a tough environment at Gillette Stadium.
Whether it be through the air or on the ground, the Patriots have an offense that is capable of taking advantage of mistakes when facing an inexperienced team like the Jets.
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