It’s all on the table for the New York Jets. A win against the New England Patriots on Sunday, and the Jets … THE JETS … could be in first place in the AFC East. Heck, if the Jets win Sunday, and get a little help from the LA Chargers on Sunday night football, they could be in a tie with Kansas City and Tennessee for one of the top two seeds in the AFC.
Yes, it’s all very possible.
The Jets have lost 13 straight to the Patriots, and haven’t won in Foxborough, Massachusetts since they won that legendary divisional playoff game in 2011. In fact, New York’s last regular season win in New England came in 2008 when Brett Favre was Gang Green’s quarterback. So yeah, it’s been a while.
Last time out the Patriots inked out a 22-17 win over the Jets before Halloween. Zach Wilson had a nightmare tossing three interceptions, and the game turned because Jets defensive tackle John Franklin-Meyers was called for a roughing the passer on quarterback Mac Jones, erasing a Jets interception return for a touchdown.
One thing that has been consistent for the Jets all year is their defense has been outstanding. They are seventh in total defense and 10th in points allowed at 19.6. Sauce Garder has been the standout, shutting down opposing receivers and was key in the Jets 20-17 win over Buffalo two weeks ago. In addition players like Quinnen Williams, Bryce Huff, Jordan Whitehead, and Jermaine Johnson have all been fantastic.
They will need to be on Sunday if the Jets are to win.
Moreover, all eyes will again be on Zach Wilson. The second year signal caller has struggled against the Patriots in the two-and-a-half games he’s played against them, tossing a total of seven interceptions. Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick is notorious for making life hard on young quarterbacks. If the Jets are really going to take that next step, Wilson needs to protect the football and be a difference maker on the positive side of things for the Jets.
Now let’s make some picks.
NY Jets (6-3) @ New England Patriots (5-4) (-3.5)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 19: Outside linebacker Dont’a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots sacks quarterback Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 19, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Are the Jets ready for primetime? Are they ready to get the monkey off their backs? Yes, the Jets have lost 13 straight to New England, and haven’t won in Foxborough since Barrack Obama was President, but at some point their luck will have to change. It just has to. Again, this will be up to Zach Wilson to protect the football and not make the kind of mistakes he made earlier this season against New England.
On the flip side, the Jets have to force Mac Jones into turnovers. He was fortunate to escape New Jersey a few weeks ago with no picks, but could have easily tossed three himself that afternoon.
Smart money is on the Patriots. Never trust the Jets in a spot like this. But, for some reason, my gut says…
PICK: JETS 27 – PATRIOTS 24Detroit Lions (3-6) @ NY Giants (7-2)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 27: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants plays against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 27, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The New York Giants have a lot to be thankful for this year, especially to the schedule maker for scheduling the Texans and Lions in back-to-back weeks at home leading into Thanksgiving. Yes, the Lions are better than the Texans team Big Blue saw last week, but they are still the Lions. Detroit has lost three games by four points or less, and routinely find ways to shoot themselves in the foot. This game will be about whether Saquon Barkley can dominate on the ground. The Lions give up 160 yards on the ground per game. In short: run Saquon, run!
PICK: GIANTS 27 – LIONS 16
Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) @ Indianapolis Colts (4-5-1)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 13: Defensive tackle Grover Stewart #90 and interim head coach Jeff Saturday of the Indianapolis Colts wait to take the field before Saturday’s coaching debut against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Colts defeated the Raiders 25-20. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
A lot of people have egg on their face after Jeff Saturday and the Colts won in Las Vegas last week. Some went out of their way to call Saturday’s surprising appointment as Interim head coach as
Bill Cowher on the #Colts hiring of Jeff Saturday: "It's a disgrace to the coaching profession." - via CBS pic.twitter.com/0BEy7DfLvg
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 13, 2022?s=20&t=S9qDYC9Zr9yK3z5-Qxv_kQ">disrespectful to the profession. Sure it was a bizarre move. Disrespectful?Regardless if the Colts keep winning, Saturday’s story becomes one of the best of the year.
As for the Eagles they are coming off their first ‘L’ of the year against Washington. Expect a nice rebound performance from Jalen Hurts and company. Hurts is having a fine year with 14 TDs and 3 INT. Eagles pull away late.
PICK: EAGLES 33 – COLTS 24.
Dallas Cowboys (6-3) (-1.5) @ Minnesota Vikings (8-1)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 13: Duke Shelley #20 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after knocking a pass away in the end zone during overtime against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
The Cowboy roll into Minnesota coming off a disappointing loss to the Packers a week ago, while the Vikings come in flying high from their 33-30 overtime win in Buffalo. The Vikings have won seven in a row. Could this be an NFC Title Game preview? It sure could.
Both teams are very similar. They have good, not great, but good quarterbacks in Dak Prescott and Kirk Cousins. They can run the ball well (Dalvin Cook vs. Zeke Elliot). Both have one of the most gifted receivers in the sport (Justin Jefferson vs. Ceedee Lamb.
The star power is immense. It will all come down to which team makes the big mistake late. Gotta give a slight edge to the Vikes at home.
PICK: VIKINGS 26 – COWBOYS 23
Kansas City Chiefs (7-2) (-5.0) @ LA Chargers (5-4)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 15: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs shakes hands with Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 15, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City defeated Los Angeles 27-24. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Will the real LA Chargers please stand up? The Bolts have been madly inconsistent the past two years, yet everyone seems ready to put them on the same mantle as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Don’t get me wrong, Justin Herbert is good; he’s no Mahomes. Who is? The Chargers might still be without Keenan Allen and Mike Williams at wide receiver, which is a problem.
The Chiefs won’t have JuJu Smith Schuster on Sunday, but KC has more weapons, and has been more effective in this series of late.
PICK: CHIEFS 31 – CHARGERS 27.
