NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-0) vs. NEW YORK JETS (0-2)
Week 2: Sunday, September 22, 1 PM ET at Gillette Stadium
The New England Patriots are off to a 2-0 start after a 33-3 win vs. Pittsburgh and a 43-0 win at Miami. New England's 76 points through their first two games ties the 2007 team for most total points through the first two contests of the season in franchise history. Additionally, the Patriots became the fourth team in the Super Bowl era to allow three points or fewer through their first two games, joining the 1970 Detroit Lions, 1976 Houston Oilers and the 1981 Buffalo Bills.
The Patriots continue AFC East play for the next two weeks when they host the New York Jets this Sunday and travel to play the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 29.
SERIES HISTORY
The New England Patriots and New York Jets will meet for the first of two matchups in 2019 this week at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots will travel to face the Jets on Monday Night Football on Oct. 21.
Last season, the Patriots earned their 19th series sweep over the Jets, their third straight and their 10th series sweep since Bill Belichick became head coach, and the 12th since Robert Kraft purchased the team.
New England leads the series, 65-54-1 overall. The Patriots are 35-25-1 all-time against the Jets at home, including 1-1 at home in the postseason and 14-3 at Gillette Stadium in the regular season.
The teams have played in the postseason three times - a 1985 Wild Card game, a 2006 Wild Card game and an AFC Divisional game in 2010. New England beat the Jets, 26-14, in 1985 at the Meadowlands en route to Super Bowl XX. In 2006, the Patriots defeated the Jets, 37-16, at Gillette Stadium and the Jets beat the Patriots, 28-21, in the 2010 Divisional playoff game in Foxborough.
New England is 36-16 against the Jets since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994.
New England's 65 overall victories over the Jets (including two playoff wins) are the second most over any single opponent, trailing only the 74 all-time wins over Buffalo.
SCOUTING THE MATCHUPS
When the Patriots run - Edge: Jets
With so many aspects of the Patriots operation off to such a strong start, it's curious to see the running game stuck in neutral through two weeks. The opener was understandable against a Pittsburgh front that was among the best in the game in 2018, but last week in Miami was less so. The Dolphins surrendered 265 rushing yards in Week 1, but held the Patriots to 126 last week for a paltry 3.6-yard average. Sony Michel was better, but still not as consistent as he was a year ago. He finished with 85 yards on 21 carries for an even 4-yard average, but he also lost a fumble. Rex Burkhead has given the team an early boost with his explosiveness, and perhaps he will receive more touches as a result. The Jets have been pretty stout against the run in the early going, holding Cleveland to just 70 yards and a 3.3-yard average Monday night. Overall New York allows just under 100 yards per game on the ground, so the Patriots might have a hard time getting the running game going once again - particularly if the injuries up front continue to be an issue.
When the Patriots pass - Edge: Patriots
New York's secondary is allowing over 270 yards per game through the air in the early going. Injuries were a problem in the preseason, and the position wasn't strong to begin with. The Jets start Darryl Roberts, a former seventh-round pick of the Patriots, at one corner and Trumaine Johnson at the other. However, against Cleveland it was Nate Hairston and Brian Poole joining Roberts while Johnson was effectively benched despite his big-money free agent contract. The Jets failed to provide a reason for the move, but regardless it's an indication the secondary is in shambles. Baker Mayfield riddled the group to the tune of 325 yards and a touchdown a week after Buffalo's Josh Allen engineered a 17-point comeback largely through the air. The Patriots receiving corps could be loaded with Antonio Brown fitting in well in his first action with the team. Another week to get comfortable could provide some more fireworks. Julian Edelman and Phillip Dorsett have also enjoyed strong starts while Josh Gordon remains dangerous. Tom Brady was under some early pressure operating behind a patchwork front in Miami, but assuming he has time the Jets have no answers.
When the Jets run - Edge: Patriots
Le'Veon Bell is fresh after sitting out 2018 in a contract dispute in Pittsburgh and he'll need to be given his heavy workload playing with a third-string quarterback. Bell got 21 carries and 10 receptions in the Jets Monday night loss to Cleveland, and it's clear Gase will use him as the focal point of the attack. The problem is New York's offensive line hasn't given him much room, and the Patriots defense has been downright nasty thus far. Opponents have been limited to a total of 74 rushing yards in two games, which doesn't bode well for Bell. Ty Montgomery, the former Packer, is used as a change of pace but New England's front seven, led by an active and versatile group of linebackers, has dominated all comers thus far. Gase will try to establish Bell early, and the Patriots will be waiting.
When the Jets pass - Edge: Patriots
It's safe to say that Gase didn't envision a scenario where he would be forced to use three different starting quarterbacks in the first three games of his tenure as Jets coach, but that's exactly what has happened in New York. Luke Falk is expected to get the start with Sam Darnold (mono) and Trevor Siemian (ankle) both out, and the former Washington State star will have his hands full. First he's operating behind an offensive line that has struggled while the Patriots recorded seven sacks in Miami last week. Second, the Jets receivers don't exactly strike fear into opponents, particularly secondaries that have played as well as New England's. Robby Anderson, Demaryius Thomas and Jamison Crowder have some ability, particularly Crowder in the slot, but lack explosiveness. Bell will likely see plenty of targets, which will require the Patriots linebackers to continue their strong play. This one looks like a mismatch.
Special Teams - Edge: Patriots
Stephen Gostkowski is coming off a shaky performance in Miami in which he missed a pair of PATs as well as a field goal. But he returns to the friendly confines of Gillette Stadium, where he's generally thrived. Meanwhile, the Jets are working on their third kicker as Sam Ficken got the job last week and made his only attempt against Cleveland. Former Patriot Braxton Berrios returns punts while Trenton Cannon handles kickoffs. Neither has provided much of a spark. Lachlan Edwards has been busy as the Jets punter, averaging more than 45 yards on his 14 kicks. The Patriots haven't gotten much out of their return game either, although Gunner Olszewski has been sure-handed and generally gets upfield on punts. Assuming Gostkowski regains his form, the Patriots should have a significant edge here as well.
