Critical Matchups in Jets-Patriots on ‘Thursday Night Football’

Throughout the regular season, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Ethan Greenberg, Randy Lange, Caroline Hendershot and John Pullano will give their responses to a series of questions regarding this year’s Jets.

Today’s question: What is the most critical matchup in Jets-Patriots?

EA: Will the Jets strike first? The Patriots have landed the opening shots in their two games to date. They rode a 13-0 start in Cincinnati to a 16-10 victory and then on Sunday, they jumped to a 7-0 lead over Seattle in a game they eventually lost, 23-20, in overtime. The Jets fell behind against the 49ers and the Titans and were playing catch-up to start the third quarters after being held to 7 points in Weeks 1 and 2. The pesky Patriots ran the ball well against the Bengals (39-150-4.4-1TD) and the Seahawks (36-185-5.1-1TD). Tight ends Austin Henry and Austin Hooper are the Pats’ top receiving yardage leaders, but this club has been limited to 270 pass yards. New England’s wideouts had 3 catches for 19 yards against Seattle and they’ve had 85 yards in two games. You combine that with inconsistent offensive line play, and I just don’t see the Patriots – despite having a competent veteran signal-caller in Jacoby Brissett – winning this game if they are playing from behind in the second half.

EG: The Jets rush defense and the Patriots ground attack. New England has the NFL’s No. 4 rushing offense, averaging 177.5 yards per game. RB Rhamondre Stevenson’s 46 carries are tied for third in the league and his 201 yards rank No. 5. The Jets, after allowing 180 yards on the ground in Week 1 (147 to RB Jordan Mason), yielded 130 in Week 2 (62 to RB Tony Pollard). If the Jets can stop the Patriots on the ground, it’ll force New England to throw the ball against one of the most talented cornerback rooms in the NFL. QB Jacoby Brissett, who has had success each of the last two seasons against the Jets, has thrown for 270 yards against through two teams, which ranks No. 29. He’s completing just 58.8% of his passes. Patriots TE Hunter Henry leads the team with 10 receptions and 127 yards and Stevenson’s 5 receptions rank second. K.J. Osborn, signed this offseason, leads all Patriots wideouts with 4 catches and 28 yards. If the Jets can limit the Patriots rushing offense, or climb out to a lead to force NE to throw the ball, the Jets will be in a favorable position to beat the Patriots at MetLife Stadium for the first time since 2015.