Jets at Patriots: What you need to know
New York Jets running back Michael Carter (32) runs for a touchdown during the first half of the Buffalo Bills at the NY Jets on November 6, 2022. Credit: Lee S. Weissman/Lee S. Weissman
SUNDAY'S GAME
JETS (6-3) AT PATRIOTS (5-4)
GILLETTE STADIUM, 1 p.m.
VITALS
Line: Patriots by 3 1/2; O/U 38 1/2
TV/Radio: CBS (Kevin Harlan, Trent Green) / ESPN-98.7-FM; Sirius 132; XM 231
NOTABLE INJURIES
Jets: OUT: WR Corey Davis (knee), DT Sheldon Rankins (elbow); DOUBTFUL: TE Kenny Yeboah (calf); QUESTIONABLE: RG Nate Herbig (shin).
Patriots: OUT: DL Christian Barmore (knee); DOUBTFUL: P Jake Bailey (back); QUESTIONABLE: WR DaVante Parker (knee), LB Josh Uche (hamstring).
RUN TO WIN
It was a career highlight for Jets o-line coach John Benton. The way the line blocked when the Jets ran 10 times for 77 yards in their game-winning drive against Buffalo in Week 9 is something Benton will “remember forever.” The Jets hope to have similar success against New England.
When they played in Week 8, the Jets ran for a season-low 51 yards on a season-low 15 carries. They lost Breece Hall for the season the prior game and just signed James Robinson. Michael Carter and Robinson could be a bigger part of Sunday’s game plan, even though Bill Belichick probably will try to take away the run and force Zach Wilson to beat him with his arm
“I think it’s just a matter of running the ball more,” Carter said. “That’s staying in front. That’s not playing from behind.”
The Bears ran for 243 yards against the Patriots the previous week. They also gave up 199 yards to Green Bay and 188 to Baltimore.
Center Connor McGovern would love to replicate what the Jets did against Buffalo when they ran for 174 yards and impose their will against the Pats, but it’s not easy.
“All 32 teams would love to do that,” McGovern said. “It’s definitely something that’s the goal but the fact that it doesn’t happen every week just shows how hard it is.”
UNLUCKY 13
The Jets have lost 13 consecutive regular-season games in New England and 13 straight overall to the Patriots.
BILL AND THE BYE
The Patriots are 15-7 following their bye week under Belichick, but they’re 0-2 since Tom Brady left for Tampa.
— AL IANNAZZONE
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
