New York Jets shouldn’t be as huge of underdogs vs. Patriots
The Week 6 game between the New York Jets and New England Patriots will be a good one, no matter what the spread ends up being at kickoff.
The New York Jets are more than a touchdown underdog (per Sportsbook Review) at home in Week 6 as they prepare for an AFC East battle with the New England Patriots. And frankly they should take that as a slight, and use it as motivation on Sunday. To look at this game as a whitewash from the beginning would be nuts. These aren’t the Patriots of old in this century.
What’s wrong with the expectations of Week 6 is that they are based on what the Patriots did in 2016, and these Patriots aren’t that team. At the end of the 2016 season, the Patriots finished as a top-10 offensive line, according to Pro Football Focus’ end-of-year rankings. They gave left tackle Nate Solder a grade of 86.6. This season, the unit has only dropped to 11th, but Solder’s grade had dropped to 47.8, per their most recent rankings..
The offensive line as a whole has allowed Tom Brady to be hit a lot. He’s been sacked the eighth-most times in the NFL and is tied for the eighth-most hits taken. He also is dealing with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder.
Meanwhile, the New England is one of the worst in the Brady/Belichick era as well. They’re 30th In points allowed, 32nd in total and pass yards allowed, and 24th in rush yards allowed. It’s not exactly a recipe for success, no matter how you want to slice it.
The Patriots do not walk into MetLife Stadium with as good a team as they have had recently, and the Jets have played them tough in their last four meeting in East Rutherford. The Patriots are 2-2 in those games, with all four games being decided by less than a touchdown. The two Patriots wins were decided by a total of six points.
Next: NFL 2017: 20 Bold predictions for Week 6
Given the way the Patriots are playing this season, combined with the recent history, it should be a surprise to anyone if this game isn’t close. So buckle your seatbelts. You’re going to be in for a heck of a ride on Sunday.