"Monday Night Football" features the winless New York Jets hosting a struggling New England Patriots team. The Pats are 2-5, having lost four straight games,
athlonsports.com
Over the last two weeks, the Jets have flashed potential in the first halves of their losses to the Chiefs and Bills. Granted, they weren't going to beat Kansas City, but the offense moved the ball and nearly had four field goals if not for the last one being blocked entering halftime. The problems came in the second half, where they've been shut out for three straight weeks.
The Patriots are not playing good football right now, while the Jets haven't played good football for like 90 percent of the season. Someone has to win this game, and it'll probably be New England. I just don't have any faith in Adam Gase, who continues to run Frank Gore out there when there are younger options behind him who need a look. The Pats win and all is right in Foxboro for one week.
Joe Douglas is scheduled to speak with reporters on Tuesday via Zoom, a rare public appearance from his Florham Park cocoon. The last time we heard from the Jets general manager was just before thi…
nypost.com
Two months, eight losses and zero wins later, you have to wonder where Douglas’ anger lies now with the team he saw go 7-9 a year ago now spiraling at 0-8 after he spent his first full offseason with the club reconstructing the roster.
And now, in a twist that fits perfectly with the mayhem that 2020 has delivered to date, the Jets’ next opponent, the reeling 2-5 Patriots, represent perhaps their best chance at winning a game, their best chance to avoid going 0-16.
This raises a Tuesday question for Douglas, who has recently sold off two defensive starters for future draft picks (defensive tackle Steve McLendon and linebacker Avery Williamson): Does he even want to win next Monday night’s game against the Patriots … or any game the rest of this season for that matter?
Three Patriots players to watch in Monday's Week 9 matchup versus the New York Jets.
www.si.com
Ja'Whaun Bentley
It's been a tough go so far for the third-year linebacker, to say the least. A few of my pieces over the course of the season have discussed how Bentley's poor play has been something that opposing offensive coordinators have been recognizing and therefore attacking. Expect the Jets to do the same this week, specifically in the run game.
While Frank Gore may seemingly pose no threat to some fans, he continues to pound the pigskin down the field, running behind his 6-foot-7, 364-pound rookie refrigerator, tackle Mekhi Becton. The goal for Adam Gase and his offense this week is going to be attacking the Patriots' weak run defense that seemingly cannot seal the edge. These Jets run a ton to the outside, with Becton bowling down the field to take on blockers. That’s something that certainly doesn't bode well for Bentley.
On Sunday, the eyes of the NFL will be on Tampa, where the Buccaneers and Saints will battle for control of the NFC South, and Antonio Brown will make his debut for Tampa Bay.
www.yardbarker.com
What you need to know: Yeah, this game probably looked more appealing to ESPN before the season started, when it was reasonable to believe that Cam Newton would be thriving with New England, and the Jets and Sam Darnold would be on the rise. Alas, this is what we get instead. Bill Belichick is making excuses for his team, while claiming that he isn't, and his team has lost four in a row. The Jets are a continuing atrocity, and at this point, it almost seems like Adam Gase is being kept on the job specifically to keep the team as bad as possible, and ensure they win the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes. This would normally be a heated rivalry game, but at this point it's more sad than anything, and viewing is recommended only for schadenfreude enthusiasts and degenerates.
On the spot: Patriots HC Bill Belichick. One of the more pathetic excuses made by any team this year was Belichick's limp claim that the Patriots' successful pursuit of Super Bowls made them vulnerable this year. Hey Bill, you signed a former MVP to play quarterback, and you're supposed to be a strategic genius. Try a look in the mirror on for size.
Jets HC Adam Gase: At this point, the main fun derived from watching the Jets is seeing whether or not Gase will completely lose his mind on the sideline. There's always a chance!
