Who Wins The Patriots and Jets’ Important Battle To Gain Ground In Crowded AFC East?
Updated: Sep 10, 2023
As the Patriots and Jets square up for a Sunday night matchup, let’s analyze both teams and determine who will leave Gillette Stadium triumphant.
New York Jets
With a 6-3 record thus far this year, the New York Jets enter this game confident. The Jets defeated the Bills 20-17 in their most recent match, likely boosting their confidence in the critical game.
With 12 carries for 76 yards, Michael Carter led the Jets in rushing (6.3 yards per carry). Garrett Wilson collected 92 yards on eight receptions, averaging 11.5 yards per catch. Zach Wilson completed 18 of 25 passes for 154 yards and one touchdown. He finished the game without throwing an interception, earning a quarterback rating of 101.1. The Jets failed to halt the run in 134 yards after 22 attempts.
The New York Jets score 21.8 PPG, ranking them 18th in league with an average running average of 116.0 yards. For the year, the Jets have accrued 3,015 total yards.
New York has 101 first downs under their belt and 55 penalties for 597 yards. 13 times, they have turned over the football (8 interceptions and five fumbles lost). New York has amassed ten passing scores and ten rushing touchdowns when it comes to scoring in the end zone.
The Jets have allowed 1,810 passing yards, which places them sixth in the league. They have surrendered 201.1 yards per game through the air and a 61.3% completion rate. They now rank seventh in the NFL with a 312.0-yard average allowed per game this season. In addition to the ten touchdowns on the ground, they have allowed nine touchdowns in the air.
Their opponents have averaged 110.9 yards on the ground per game throughout the season and 4.0 yards per rushing attempt. The Jets have allowed the running game to gain 998 total yards in nine games. The Jets’ 19.6 PPG in scoring against them puts them in 10th place in the National Football League. Certainly, with players like CJ Mosely and Quinnen Williams, they’ll pressure Jones like last time, and cornerbacks like Sauce Gardener will make things even worse for the passing game.
Prediction
For the first time since 2010, the Jets would take the lead in the AFC East with a victory in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Miami (7-3), New York (6-3), Buffalo (6-3), and New England all have winning records, making the AFC the only division in the NFL to have all four teams in it (5-4).
The Jets have defeated both the Dolphins and the Bills this season; the Dolphins are off this week, so a win over the Patriots would put the Jets in first place in the AFC East. Additionally, the Jets have a chance to end their 11-season postseason absence, which is the longest active streak in the NFL.
Lastly, I think the win over the Patriots would bring monumental confidence for the team, who will need it in their demanding schedule that features the likes of Minnesota and Buffalo. As it looks right now, I think the Jets have a definite chance of proving victorious over the Patriots.
New England Patriots
The Patriots enter this contest with a 5-4 record for the year. The Patriots defeated the Colts in their most recent game, winning 26-3. Mac Jones, who had one score, completed 20 of 30 passes for 147 yards and a quarterback rating of 89.2. His average passing yardage was 4.9 yards, and he didn’t throw any picks.
One of the Patriots’ main targets, Jakobi Meyers, hauled five passes for 42 yards (8.4 yards per catch). For New England, Rhamondre Stevenson carried the ball 15 times for 60 yards, averaging 4.0 yards per carry. The Patriots ultimately gained 203 yards and ran 62 plays (3.3 yds per play).
The New England Patriots rank 26th out of all NFL teams in average offensive game yardage at 319.9 yards. On average, they continue to get 117.2 yards on the ground per game and have gained 1,055 yards so far this season. The New England offense has committed 52 violations for a total of 418 yards in penalties, which places them 20th in the league in terms of aiding the other team.
They have lost ten interceptions, lost seven fumbles, and gained 87 first downs. The Patriots currently sit in 23rd place in the NFL with 1,824 passing yards for the season, in addition to holding opponents to an average of 202.7 passing yards per game.
The Patriots are currently ranked 7th in the NFL for their 18.4 PPG defense. They are now rated 11th in the NFL because they have allowed 204.3 yards per game and 12 passing touchdowns. They have given up 166 points in total so far this season.
During this season, New England has given up 1,086 rushing yards (120.7 yards per game) and four rushing touchdowns. The Patriot’s defense has taken five hundred sixty-six plays, which is the 11th-most in the NFL. For the season, they have collected 17 takeaways (6 recovered fumbles and 11 picks). Looking at the stats alone, the Patriots pale in comparison to the Zach Wilson-led Jets, but the results on the field speak for themselves.
The Patriots defense has kept the team in games all season, and over the years they’ve more than had Zach Wilson’s number in the three times they’ve squared off. They won’t make things easy for the Jets by any means, especially not in Foxborough, and with a defense that has somehow simultaneously improved their defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties, they should continue to threaten.
Prediction
It will be a difficult matchup for the Patriots, who cannot find any injury security. Though Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones is the only confirmed non-participant for Saturday, questions still regarding wide receiver DeVante Parker, defensive tackle Christian Barmore, linebackers Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, and DeMarcus Mitchell, safety Kyle Dugger, and lastly punter Jake Bailey (who has struggled this season).
Injuries to DeVante Parker and Kyle Dugger will undoubtedly affect the team’s plan heading into the game. Despite his lackluster performance against the Jets, where he was targeted once for no yards, Parker has been an integral part of the Patriot’s receiving core. In previous matches against the Bears and the Browns, Parker contributed to the offense with 68 and 64 yards, respectively. So far, Parker has racked up 321 yards on 15 receptions.
Comparatively, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has only managed to catch 167 yards on just one less reception. If Parker cannot play against the Jets, the Patriots receiving core will feel the hole left by one of their best receivers. While it’s an incredibly deep group, the receiving core lacks a singular unifying identity without Parker, although Meyers has certainly stepped up this year.
Additionally, the injury of Kyle Dugger is essential for the Patriots to notice. Dugger has been the figurehead of the safety unit, leading the department with 17 solo tackles, two passes defended, and one interception.
Overall, I feel that the injury of these critical players and the high-powered Jets offense will prove too much for the Patriots, even though the defense will keep things interesting. The evolution of Mac Jones in this game will certainly be a key to whether the Patriots can come out at a higher level than three weeks ago.
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