Jets vs. Patriots: What you need to know
A key to the improved Jets defense has been the play of the cornerbacks, led by Sauce Gardner (1), over the past few weeks. Credit: David Zalubowski
SUNDAY'S GAME
PATRIOTS (3-4) AT JETS (5-2)
MetLife Stadium, 1 p.m
VITALS
Line: Patriots by 2 1/2; O/U 40 1/2
TV/RADIO: CBS (Ian Eagle, Charles Davis) / ESPN-98.7-FM; Sirius 121 or 230 & SXM App.
NOTABLE INJURIES
Jets: OUT: WR Corey Davis (knee); QUESTIONABLE: DE Jermaine Johnson (ankle).
Patriots: OUT: C David Andrews (concussion), DL Christian Barmore (knee), S Kyle Dugger (ankle); QUESTIONABLE: WR Nelson Agholor (hamstring), CB Jonathan Jones (ankle).
DEFENSE IS READY
This is a much more dominant Jets defense than the one that allowed 54 points to New England in Week 7 last year. C.J. Mosley and Carl Lawson didn’t play, and they lost Quincy Williams in-game.
The Jets will have up to eight different starters on defense Sunday. This group has allowed a league-low 12 points per game over the last three weeks. A key to the Jets’ resurgence has been the shutdown pay of their corners, thus enabling the line to get to the quarterback more often.
The Jets prepared to face both quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, just in case Bill Belichick makes an in-game change as he did Monday night. Stopping the Pats’ run game will be critical though. Rhamondre Stevenson has three touchdowns in the last two games for New England, and Damien Harris scored three in the two games against the Jets last year.
“They’ve always been a team that was devoted to getting the run game going,” defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. “They pride themselves on being physical and dominating the game in that way, so it’s going to be a great challenge from that standpoint, testing our level of physicality, our ability to stop a team really devoted to run.”
THE UGLY TRUTH
The Jets’ last win over the Patriots was Dec. 27, 2015 in OT on a TD pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Eric Decker. The Jets have dropped 12 straight and 20-of-22 to New England. Belichick’s regular season record as Patriots coach against the Jets is 34-10, including 9-3 at MetLife Stadium.
WAKING A WINNER
New running back James Robinson was home “dozing off” when he got the call that the Jags had traded him to the Jets. He was happy for the change in scenery and records. “It feels pretty good to go to 5-2 from 2-5,” Robinson said. “It feels pretty good to be a part of this team.”
-- AL IANNAZZONE
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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