Week 7 features an AFC East matchup between the 1-4 New York Jets and 2-4 New England Patriots. Both teams have already met in Week 2, where New England trounced the Jets 25-6 in the Meadowlands.
The kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm EST, and you can watch the game on CBS or DAZN.
Mac Jones Has Been The Most Consistent Rookie QB
Among all the rookie quarterbacks selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, Mac Jones has been the most reliable. The Heisman finalist is coming off the best game of his season, with a passer rating of 118.9.
Jones has been used as mainly a game manager under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels with safe, conservative routes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Patriots have won games their last two seasons with their defense, and Jones will only get better at reading progressions as his career moves forward.
Last week running back Damien Harris rushed for over 100 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry on 18 attempts. Look for the Pats to give Harris 15-20 carries to try and wear out the Jets front-seven.
One thing to note is that the Pats are very banged up on defense. Both veteran linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy are questionable for Sunday, as are safety Adrian Phillips and cornerback Jalen Mills. Offensive lineman Shaq Mason is also questionable (abdomen).
Jets Are Well Rested
Since New York played in London in Week 5, the Jets were awarded an early bye week and have had more time than the Pats to prepare for this divisional contest. All the signs point towards Robert Saleh’s team having a tough time sustaining any drives against New England.
Bill Belichick completely overwhelmed Zach Wilson in their first matchup, resulting in the former BYU star throwing four interceptions.
The Pats’ strength for the last couple of years has been their stingy defense, and Belichick historically owns rookie head coaches like Saleh. The Jets defense will have to keep this low-scoring if they want a fighting chance in this one.
Both linebacker C.J. Mosley and safety Marcus Maye are listed as questionable for Sunday.
Betting Analysis
- New York Jets +7 (-115) Money Line +250
- New England Patriots -7 (-105) Money Line +-310
- Total Points 42.5 Over -110, Under -110
Although New England’s injuries concern me, this is the time to have these issues. Zach Wilson has only had one solid performance this season, and I can’t look past the beatdown the Pats put on New York last time around.
The last time the Jets won in Foxborough was all the way back in 2011. Gillette Stadium is always loud when the green and white come to town, and I expect this year to be no different. Look for New England to win by double-digits on Sunday and improve to 3-4 on the season.
Betting Pick: New England Patriots -7 (-105)
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