NY Jets: Why the Patriots have the advantage

The NY Jets are a good team but heading into their Week 7 game against the New England Patriots, it’s clear who ultimately has the advantage.

The NY Jets travel to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots for the first time under new head coach Todd Bowles. Jet fans have had this game marked on the calendar since the NFL officially announced the season schedule for 2015. This game normally holds a certain level of excitement for Jet fans as it is the biggest rivalry game in the AFC East. This year however, their is an extra level of excitement among fans as the Jets own the #1 ranked defense in the league and stand at 4-1 heading into this game.

There are many aspects to this game, a few under stories and then the main event, the game itself. Much attention has already been given to the return of Darrelle Revis to Gillette Stadium in a Jet uniform. The return of Stevan Ridley, the former Patriots running back turned Jet to the practice field this week for the first time has also gathered its share of news content. Still yet another story line is the promotion of former Patriot wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins from the Jet practice to the active roster.

For this article though, I’d like to put those stories aside and focus on the game itself. Many Jet fans are clamoring that a Jet victory is imminent and with the victory will come a trip to the playoffs and a possible division title.

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Yet others are stating their case that the Jets’ defense will destroy Tom Brady and his driven offense while sealing the victory strictly based on defensive prowess.

There are yet others making the case that the Jets’ offense has improved so much over last season that they can compete alongside the Patriots’ offense and come away a winner.

I don’t think it’s as simple as any of these groups make it out to be however. The Jets do possess the #1 defense in the league as they have been playing at a very high level, ranking #2 against the run and #2 against the pass, but these are the Patriots. They possess the #1 ranked offense, stand at 5-0 and currently hold sole possession of first place in the AFC East. The match up of the #1 defense versus the #1 offense makes it pretty certain that the defense won’t win this one on their own.

Oct 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets’ offense will need to step up and score points in this one. The defense alone isn’t likely to stop the Patriots, they have the ability to keep this close, but they will need the offense to score points and bring home the victory. The Jets undoubtedly have more offensive weapons then they did last season when these two teams met.

They are 4-1 and coming off their best offensive output of the season against the Washington Redskins. Ryan Fitzpatrick put up his best numbers since joining the Jets last week, and Chris Ivory has been having his way with opposing defenses. Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall have been monsters in the passing game for the Jets, yet both coughed the ball up last week. The offense will need to match the points of last week if they hope to pull this one out for the Jets.

I hate to be the lone doubter among the Jet fan base, but I don’t believe the Jets can bring home the victory this week. I’ve already debated this game with a few of my fellow Jet fans, so I understand my view isn’t a very popular one. In fact my buddy Tom has promised to “egg” my house if the Jets lose on Sunday! Apparently I jinxed them by doubting!! Anyway, I’d like to tell you why I think the Patriots win this game.

Like them or not, Brady and Bill Belichick have formed a brain trust that has rarely been seen in the NFL. The two think down the same lines and are on the same page seemingly endlessly. They play a disciplined style of football that tolerates little in the form of penalties and mistakes. Simply put, these two don’t lose games, they make you beat them. I’m excited to see the two head coaches go up against each other, if Bowles can out coach Belichick, fans will be ecstatic!

Fitzpatrick has never been and will never be as good as Brady on any given day. That is not to say Brady is the best ever to play the position, or even that he is the best quarterback in the game today, I don’t believe he is. It does say that if it comes down to a shootout between these two veteran signals callers, my money would have to be on Brady. Fitzpatrick’s game just isn’t good enough to go pass for pass with Brady. If it turns into a shootout, Advantage Pats

I think the Jets’ defensive secondary will hold up fairly well against the Patriots receivers. The off season additions have returned both Revis and Antonio Cromartie to this rivalry, and that is miles from where we sat at this game last year where the Jets struggled mightily on the back end. Marcus Gilchrist and Buster Skrine were added as well, and the group as a whole has been playing lights out for the Jets. Matching up our corners to the Pats receivers, Advantage Jets

Ivory is on a roll this season. He’s done it all for the Jet backfield since day one of the season. Ivory is running with violence up the middle, displaying his surprising speed to the outside, and even getting more involved in the Jet passing game. The Patriots have shown they can be weak against the run, look for Ivory to test them early and often. Ridley might also see some action this week, coming off IR and returning to the practice field this week, I wouldn’t expect much, but he does bring a knowledge of the Patriots team to the table regardless. I like the Jet chances in the run game, Advantage Jets

This game may very well come down to how well the Jets can handle a pair of Patriots offensive players. Rob Gronkowski has been a major threat to the Jets’ defense for years now. The big 6’6″/265 tight end already has posted an 18.5 per reception average and has accounted for 5 of the Patriots touchdowns this season.

Sep 27, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) carries after the catch in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

Gronkowski is a force all NFL defenses are faced with, but he’s proven himself to be a huge headache for the Jets. Last season, Rex Ryan’s approach was to put a linebacker at the line of scrimmage to jam the big guy and it worked to some extent. This year however, the Patriots have countered that approach with another weapon.

That player is Dion Lewis, a 5’8″/195 pound running back. Lewis is on the small side of things and the Jets have shown they have trouble with the small types getting lost among the big men upfront. Lewis at this early juncture of the season is having a career year with 201 yards on for 40 attempts, a 5.0 yard average per carry and a pair of touchdowns on the ground.

Lewis is quick and elusive in the run game, but is more of a threat to the Jets as a receiver out of the backfield. Lewis’ abilities in the receiving game coupled with Gronkowski’s abilities make for some match up problems for the Jets. It’s clear already this season, that the Jets’ linebacking corps is a liability in coverage. I highly expect Belichick to attack that weakness with Lewis and Gronkowski, Advantage Pats

Special teams is the final match up I’d like to take a look at. The Patriots have Danny Amendola handling the bulk of the punt returning duties and he’s averaging 11.0 yards per attempt with five fair catches on the season. He’s broken a long 28-yarder this season and may be a threat against a struggling Jets’ special teams unit.

Jeremy Kerley on the other hand has managed 8 fair catches on 16 attempts and quite frankly has been uninspiring in the return game. The Patriot and Jet Kickers are both seasoned veterans and equally matched. The Patriots have yet to allow a special teams touchdown this season, while the Jets have displayed some poor tackling along the way and given up a touchdown to Darren Sproles in the Eagles loss, Advantage Pats

That’s how I see this one. I think this is going to be one exciting game to watch for Jets fans and Patriots fans alike. There is little doubt that these two teams are very good football teams, but it the end I see the Patriots walking away from this one the victor. I still believe the Jets have a shot, but they will most definitely will need to bring their “A” game and avoid all mistakes if they hope to pull off the upset.

How do you see it? Think I’m dead wrong? Please leave me a comment below and Let’s Talk Jet Football!!

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