MORSE: Week 9 Patriots at Jets Game Preview

The Jets are a train wreck at 0-8 and people just can’t look away. I can … it was difficult to write this article as this game doesn’t inspire me at all. Adam Gase will be lucky to finish the year as their coach. They have already unloaded LeVeon Bell and Avery Williamson. “Never for Trevor” is the battle cry, however, Joe Namath proclaimed if the Jets draft QB Trevor Lawrence, he might force a trade like Eli Manning did.

The key to defeating the Jets is keeping them in 3^rd and long. They help their opponents by playing 11 personnel nearly 70% of the time. This is 4^th most in the league. They also tend to run on 2^nd and long. That’s just stupid and ultimately leads to 3^rd and long and a quick exit to 3 and out. The Defense tends to end up on the field for long stretches.

The Bell signing was a complete disaster. They lost their best receiver Rob Anderson to free agency. Jamison Crowder is a terrific slot receiver but he has been dinged up this year, missing the last two games and is questionable for Monday night. Former Pats player, Braxton Berrios, is the 2^nd leading receiver. He has 23 catches on 38 targets for 320 yds, a 9.1 ypc and 2 TDs. Former Boston College Eagle, Jeff Smith, has been converted to WR and has 14 catches for 141 yds for 10.1 ypc. He has been targeted 33 times and is catching them less than 50% of the time. Rookie Denzel Mims has been the leading receiver the last two weeks with 42 yards in each game. Breshard Perriman has been hurt most of the year. Frank Gore has filled in for Bell and is averaging 3.6 ypa, but he is a relic in terms of NFL players and I would be shocked if he is able to carry the load for the Jets over the course of the season.

There is not much to say about the Defense. They traded away Jamaal Adams and then flipped Avery Williamson at the deadline. Quinnen Williams has been a bust and is questionable for Monday Night. Five times this year they have given up 30 points.

The Patriots have 17 players on their injury report. N’Keal Harry and JJ Taylor did not participate in practice today which is an indication they won’t be available for Monday Night. Carl Davis, Stephon Gilmore and Lawrence Guy were back and limited. Guy has three separate injuries. Who dresses for the game is anybody’s guess. Will newly acquired Isaiah Ford dress?

Thank goodness Halloween is over because it would be great if Trick or Treat Cam Newton can stop playing around. It’s time for Cam to shine and this would be a good time for him to show what he can do.

Some of the statistical analysis was provided by NBC Analyst Warren Sharp.

Like this article?
Support Mark and buy him a coffee.

About Mark Morse

Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.

View all posts by Mark Morse