New York Jets: Magic number is 30 vs. Patriots in Week 6

The New England Patriots travel to East Rutherford for their first 2017 matchup with the New York Jets in Week 6, and the key number is 30 for the Jets.

When you look up at the scoreboard on Sunday in Week 3, if you see that the New York Jets have scored at least 30 points, they will have likely won against the New England Patriots. Say what you will about the Patriots last game against the Buccaneers, but their defense has been abysmal this season, and the Jets need to take advantage of that on Sunday.

The 2017 Patriots defense could be one of the worst defenses ever coached by Bill Belichick, even going back to his days with the New York Giants as defensive coordinator. The Jets have a chance to show what this offense is capable of against this team, and they should open the playbook against this secondary that’s given up 323 pass yards per game this season (last in the NFL).

If the Jets can score 30 points, they will likely end up with their fourth consecutive win for the 20th time in franchise history. Giving up 30 points hasn’t been good for the Patriots in the Belichick/Tom Brady era. Since Brady became the starter, the Patriots are 12-15 (including a 1-2 record in 2017) when giving up at least 30 points.

The last time an offense that was led by current Jets quarterback Josh McCown scored 30 points was Oct. 11, 2015 when the Browns were in Baltimore. That was the sixth time a McCown led offense scored 30 points with him as the starting quarterback. He’s 6-0 in those games.

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Regardless of McCown and the New York offense, though, the major question that needs to be answered is about the Patriots defense. Are they closer to what we saw against the Texans, Panthers, and Chiefs, or are they closer to what we saw against the Saints and Buccaneers? That will be answered on Sunday. With that said, if the Jets find a way to score 30 points, history is on their side.