Pat's Notebook: The Low Flying Jets

Photo courtesy of the NY Daily News

Tyler Salk

J-E-T-S. Every single year when the Jets host the Patriots at Metlife Stadium, the fans get incredibly involved in the game. Mostly due to the alcohol, because an extreme amount of beer is the only thing that makes being a Jets fan tolerable for Jets fans. 

This year, things might be a little different. As I read through the comical tweets of Mike Parente roasting the team, the Giant’s 0-5 record has the Jets being the football pride of the nation’s largest city. At 3-2 they have taken the NFL, the Nation, and even the Pal by storm, who said they very well could go 0-16. It wasn’t a ludicrous idea either. The Jets weren’t supposed to be even the slightest bit good.

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Their quarterback situation was expected to be more of a punishment than Darren Sharper’s prison sentence. Trading Sheldon Richardson to the Seahawks was seen as a sign of waving the white flag,  not a sign of winning three games.

Granted, they were smoked by the Raiders, and lost to the Bills. Their three wins have come against two teams that aren’t seen as respectable, in the Browns and Jay Cutler-led Dolphins, while they were able to defeat the rising Jacksonville Jaguars who also have a poor quarterback situation. The wins, while good for the Jets, aren’t the biggest statement games.

Meanwhile, the Patriots will be looking to make a statement after an underwhelming first five weeks to the NFL season. With ten days off between games, New England has put a lot of focus towards shedding their poor start to the season, which has been slower than Kim Jong Un’s metabolism. Highlighted by poor play from the secondary, pass rush, and offensive line (so a large portion of the team), they aren’t in the midst of the best play of the Belichickian era.

As the teams go into week six with identical 3-2 records, each will vye to move up in the standings, either to be the sole leaders or remain tied with the Bills.

Tyler’s Tickets to Victory for New England:

• Communication is key: The Patriots need to communicate defensively. As has been established, poor communication has been the biggest problem. While the run defense has been far from superb, the air defense still ranks as the worst defense, allowing the most touchdowns and yardage. With the extended period between games, Gilmore might have found the time to learn how to play with this team. If he did, the narrative could be different. If not, the projected worst team in the league might win.
• Protect TB12: To say the Patriots have played poorly is one thing, but Brady’s play has been strong. Even though Garoppolo could potentially be a strong NFL starter, Brady is the key to this team. The man is 40, and the Patriot offensive line has allowed him to be sacked more than twenty-four other starting QBs. If Brady can be given more time in the pocket, he can build a lead throughout the game instead of needing to rely on a fourth quarter comeback.

Tyler’s Tickets to Victory for the Jets:

• Expose the Patriot’s weaknesses: It’s an understatement to say the Patriot’s are the more talented team on paper. To an extent that isn’t as embarassing as their opponents for the week, the Jets rank in the bottom ten in total yards allowed and passing touchdowns allowed. While they have allowed a lot of touchdowns through the air, they are even less effective in stopping the run. They’re also ranked in the bottom ten in rushing touchdowns allowed, but have allowed the third most points. With Muhammad Wilkerson not practicing as of Thursday, they might be without a top defender. Running backs Matt Forte and Bilal Powell haven’t been practicing fully. Josh McCown ranks in the bottom half for quarterbacks in passing yardage and touchdowns. Their only chance is if the Patriots play poorly.
• Luck: These are the Jets we’re talking about. The team who received 0-16 talk is facing off against the team who received 16-0 talk. The critics were wrong, but they thought that way for a reason.

The Pal and I were talking, and he pointed out that I’ve picked the Patriot’s in every game so far. He said I shouldn’t be afraid to pick the out of market team every once in awhile. I’m certainly not. But this Jets team, despite a 3-2 record just isn’t very good. This is a week where the Patriots not only can, but should get back on track


Patriots 37- Jets 14

Tyler’s record: 3-2

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