A rivalry that has been extremely one-sided for the past decade boasts new intrigue when the New England Patriots visit the New York Jets to kick off Week 3 on Thursday Night Football.
Both teams enter 1-1, making this a critical early-season AFC East clash as the Jets and Patriots try to position themselves as legitimate threats to the Buffalo Bills.
ODDS AND ACTION
The Jets are consensus 6.0-point favorites. That includes at DraftKings, where they have been backed by 58 percent of the spread-line money, while the Patriots have drawn 55 percent of the total bets.
New York’s -278 moneyline has been an even more popular play, drawing 67 and 74 percent of the action, respectively.
The Jets have also been popular at BetRivers, where they have been backed by 58 percent of both the spread-line money and tickets, while their -285 moneyline has received 87 percent of the money and 81 percent of the bets.
It’s important to note that the Jets have failed to cover the spread in six consecutive Thursday games, although none of those came with a healthy Aaron Rodgers at the helm for four quarters.
PROP PICKS
–Under 38.5 Total Points (-270 at DraftKings): Ten of the Jets’ past 11 games against AFC East opponents have gone under the total points line.
–Breece Hall Anytime TD (-157 at BetRivers): This has been the most popular player prop at the book, drawing 3.9 percent of all player prop tickets and 2.2 percent of the money. Hall has topped 114 total years in four of the Jets’ past five games and has scored in each of his first two games this season.
KEY STATS
Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson has at least seven receptions in six of the Jets’ past seven home games, while Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson has at least 81 rushing yards in five of his past six games overall.
SERIES HISTORY
The Patriots have won 15 of the past 16 meetings.
THE NEWS
This is the Jets’ home opener and the last time Rodgers stepped onto the turf at MetLife Stadium, he lasted just four plays, tearing his left Achilles tendon in the 2023 season opener against Buffalo.
That injury put Rodgers on the shelf for the entirety of the campaign. He was still credited with the win against Buffalo, but it wasn’t until last Sunday that Rodgers led the Jets to victory while playing for a full game. The 40-year-old completed 18 of 30 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns as New York beat the Tennessee Titans 24-17.
The Jets will need all the help they can get as they try to crack a New England defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest points per game (16.5) through the first two weeks of the season.
After picking up a clean 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, the Patriots (1-1) faltered late to drop a 23-20 overtime decision against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Rhamondre Stevenson found the end zone from 1 yard out to put New England up 20-17 with 12:43 left in regulation, but the Patriots let Seattle march its way to Jason Myers’ 38-yard field goal that tied the game with 55 seconds to go.
Myers nailed a game-winning 31-yarder in overtime. It marked the first career loss for Patriots first-year coach Jerod Mayo, who is now trying to effectively navigate a short week.
“I think the first thing is to recover. That’s the first thing,” Mayo said. “So in saying that, we’re going to bring the guys in late every day this week. … I think it’s important that those guys rest up. It also gives the coaches an opportunity to get the game plan put together. That’s the first thing.
“Secondly, it comes back to executing. When you’re sore, when you’re tired, that’s what it really comes back to.”
INJURY REPORT
Multiple media outlets reported Monday that Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley sustained a season-ending pectoral injury against the Seahawks. Fellow linebacker Oshane Ximines (knee) also was ruled out and went on injured reserve after not practicing on Tuesday and Wednesday.
New England guard Sidy Sow is dealing with an ankle issue and was ruled out along with offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (knee). Center David Andrews (hip), offensive lineman Mike Onwenu (wrist), defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. (shoulder) and safety Jabrill Peppers (shoulder) are listed as questionable for the game.
The Jets listed linebacker Jermaine Johnson II, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with a torn right Achilles tendon, as out, and linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) as questionable.
THEY SAID IT
“I hope it’s off the chain. I mean, shoot, it’s our home opener coming on a Thursday. I know our fans are some of the most passionate fans in all of football. … You want to play in the spotlight.” –Jets coach Robert Saleh on the home crowd giving his team a significant advantage.
PREDICTION
The Patriots have been leaning on their stout defense for a surprisingly strong start to the season that very easily could have resulted in a 2-0 record. But the injury report on that side of the ball is alarming while traveling on a short week. The Jets should be able to control field position with their own defense, enabling the Jets to take advantage of shorter fields while building more chemistry within an offense averaging just 265.5 yards through two games. –Jets 23, Patriots 13
