New York Jets: Sam Darnold will expose the New England defense

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold will expose the New England Patriots defense on Monday night. Here’s how he’ll do it in Week 7.

The New York Jets are 1-4 and if they want to go on a run as Sam Darnold predicted, they’ll have to go through their next opponent the New England Patriots.

There’s a lot to like about the Patriots, they’re undefeated and may possess one of the best defenses we’ve seen in recent NFL history:

• No. 1 in fewest yards allowed per game (234.7).
• No. 3 in pass defense.
• Sixth best rush defense in the league.
• No. 1 in points allowed per game (giving up just eight points per game).
  • They’ve given up 16 fewer points than the next best team. Even more impressive? That’s even with the Patriots playing one more game than the next best team.

Are we looking at the 1985 Chicago Bears? Perhaps the 2000 Baltimore Ravens? Or a big fat phony?

I’d lean towards the latter.

So far the Patriots have played this list of quarterbacks since Week 2:

• Josh Rosen/Ryan Fitzpatrick.
• Luke Falk.
• Josh Allen/Matt Barkley.
• Colt McCoy.
• Daniel Jones.

The cumulative record of those teams is 8-19 and the list of passers is hardly a murderer’s row.

Special episode of @Manchild_Show w/ @BoyGreen25 feat @eallenjets, @nyjets:– Recapping #DALvsNYJ.– Looking ahead to #NEvsNYJ. – The return of Sam Darnold. – @LeVeonBell a model teammate on/off field.#TakeFlight #Jets #JetUp https://t.co/pr5ZpIJG7m

— The Jets Zone (@TheJets_Zone) October 15, 2019

In Week 7 the Patriots are going to be exposed when they play the best quarterback they’ve faced all year in Sam Darnold.

In the Week 3 Jets vs Patriots game, New England got lucky when they faced an undermanned New York squad minus their starting quarterback, tight end, defensive captain, No. 3 overall pick, and some.

They won’t be so lucky this time around.

Darnold was supposed to be rusty after missing the last three games due to mononucleosis he wasn’t supposed to be a magic wand for the offense, yet that’s exactly what he was for the green and white.

Sam completed 72 percent of his passes for 338 yards with a 2:1 touchdown to interception ratio.

But even beyond the impressive stats, the offense just came to life. Darnold was able to recognize blitz schemes, get the ball moving, complete passes, and turn the sputtering Jets into a high octane attack.

“Once we get all the guys back, right now we’re missing Chris (Herndon), I think we’re unstoppable as an offense or can be. I think we’re capable of scoring so many points. With the way, our offensive line played last week and the pieces on this team I think the sky is the limit for us.” – Sam Darnold, New York Jets quarterback.

QB Sam Darnold speaks to the media after Thursday's practice of Patriots week. https://t.co/40ubQJSd7A

— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 17, 2019

But can the Jets continue that success vs the vaunted New England defense?

“The Patriots defense is good, they’ve played well all year, but just like any other team, they aren’t unbeatable. So we just have to go out there and find the weakness in the defense and keep working it.” – More Darnold.

Bill Belichick is one of the top defensive minds the game of football has ever seen. Every year seemingly he has a new twist, what about this season? He’s playing predominantly man-to-man.

In fact this year the Patriots are playing man 67 percent of the time which is the second-highest total in the league next to the Detroit Lions which is led by another Belichick disciple in Matt Patricia, via Rich Cimini, Flight Deck podcast.

The reason the Patriots have had success with it is that they have one true superstar in Stephon Gilmore, who may be the best corner in all of football. But everyone else on the defense is just really good and has excelled thus far in man-to-man concepts.

Despite New England’s success with this formula in 2019, a really good quarterback thrives and even salivates throwing against man coverage.

“We really have to make them pay in man coverage. It’s up to our guys to win those battles and for me to put it in the right spot.”

When you take a peek at the schedule, the Patriots are by far the toughest game remaining on the 2019 docket. If the Jets can beat New England on Monday Night Football, who can’t they beat this season?