NY Jets: 3 keys to victory in Week 2 against the Patriots

After losing 19-14 on the road in Carolina last Sunday, the NY Jets are 0-1 on the new NFL season.

There isn't a category for it in the win-loss column, but the Jets walked away with a moral victory in Week 1. In a year where expectations are tempered for a team that is the youngest in the entire league, moral victories might be the best Jets fans can hope for on most Sundays.

In many ways, what we saw from the Jets in Week 1 was exactly what many suspected would occur heading into the new season. An inexperienced team and coaching staff together for the first time, going through growing pains.

Not expecting struggles right out the gate for the aptly titled Gang Green is foolish. And as much as fans detest preseason games because of the possibility of injuries, lord knows that the Jets have had their fair share of players go down this past summer, with Week 1 now included.

The team's main issues in their opening game stemmed from key players not playing and practicing together.

Rookies like guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and wide receiver Elijah Moore struggled mightily in their first "real" action as NFL players. Both players rarely practiced with their teammates, and neither played in the preseason, and it showed.

Even second-year players like Mekhi Becton spent very little time preparing with the team before the season started, which hindered the team's cohesion and readiness. Quinnen Williams didn't play at the level he did last year, largely because he didn't play at all this summer.

A week ago, in this column, communication was listed as one of the most vital keys to the Jets' chances for victory against Carolina.

You could argue that the reason why New York fell behind Carolina early and ultimately lost was that vital groups like the Jets offensive line weren't on the same page. Players like center Connor McGovern admitted that lack of communication was their biggest failing in Week 1.

The Jets players and coaches are still trying to figure things out and ultimately figure each other out. But you could argue that the last opponent you want to face when you are going through a learning curve is Bill Belichick, even if you are playing against him in your home opener.

In Week 2, the Jets are playing their first regular-season game at home in front of their fans in 633 days. Despite New York opening their season with a loss, MetLife Stadium should be an electric atmosphere on Sunday.

The truth is that the Jets' best chance to win in a game where they are listed as 5.5 point underdogs will be if their home crowd can make things difficult on the Patriots offense.

Being at home could aid the Jets in Week 2, but if the team wants to defeat the Patriots in front of their fans, these are the three keys to rewarding the Jets faithful at MetLife home with a victory.