Here we are in week two and we have what may be a critical game for the Patriots.\u00a0 They are playing the New York Jets, another division rival, in their home opener at the Meadowlands.\u00a0 Both teams are coming off disappointing losses and don\u2019t want to start the season at 0-2.\u00a0 The Jets lost to Carolina by a score of 19-14.<\/p>\n
As it was with Miami last week the beginning and the end of this team revolves around their Quarterback, Zach Wilson.\u00a0 The 1st<\/sup> round selection number 2 overall was one of the Fab Five QBs taken in round one.\u00a0 Mac Jones was the 5th<\/sup> and last of the 1st<\/sup> rounders at #15.\u00a0 \u00a0He is their starter after they traded Sam Donald to Carolina.\u00a0 Wilson threw for 258 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, and was sacked 6 times.\u00a0 His QB rating was 28.7.\u00a0 In comparison, Mac Jones was 29 of 39, 281 yards, a TD, no INT, and was sacked once.\u00a0 Jones’s rating was 75.1.\u00a0 Jones had the highest rating from Pro Football Focus (PFF) for rookie QBs.\u00a0 Jones also set a record for the highest completion percentage for any rookie QB ever (with 25 passing attempts or more).<\/p>\n Offense <\/strong>Obviously Wilson is the focus of the offense.\u00a0 He came alive in the second half and threw his two TDs.\u00a0 However, the Jets are in serious trouble on the O-line.\u00a0 The anchor of the O-line, LT Mehki Becton is out 6-8 weeks.\u00a0 The O-line gave up 6 sacks.\u00a0 Was that all their fault or was it in part the rookie QB holding onto the ball too long?\u00a0 The Jets had trouble picking up line stunts.\u00a0 Look for Josh Uche, Chase Winovich, and Matt Judon to have a field day.<\/p>\n The O-line has gone to a new zone-blocking scheme and were ineffective opening holes for the running backs.\u00a0 The trio of Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson, and Michael Carter ran the ball 17 times for 45 yards.\u00a0 It looks like this is the way it will be for NYJ, a running back by committee. \u00a0Look for the Jets to get their backs more involved in the passing game.\u00a0 The Patriots linebackers have not defended the pass all pre-season as well as the 1st<\/sup> game against Miami.<\/p>\n The Wide Receiver group is underrated.\u00a0 They are led by Free Agent signee Corey Davis.\u00a0 Against Carolina, he chipped in 2 TD receptions, 97 yards, and had 5 catches on 7 targets.\u00a0 Former Patriots draft choice Braxton Berrios also had 5 catches on 7 targets.\u00a0 He may not be as much of a factor this week as the Jets are hoping to get leading receiver Jamison Crowder and Keelan Cole back for the Patriots game.\u00a0 Second-year wideout Denzel Mims appears to be in the doghouse and is way down the depth chart.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t sleep on 2nd<\/sup> round draft selection (#34) Elijah Moore.\u00a0 He can fly and is terrific after the catch.\u00a0 Former BC speedster Jeff Smith rounds out the receiver corps.<\/p>\n Defense <\/strong>Head Coach Robert Saleh brings that swagger from the 49\u2019ers to the defense in NY.\u00a0 His favorite coverage is a cover three.\u00a0 They are trying to take away the big play.\u00a0 I think the Patriots will take advantage of what the Jets defense will give them.\u00a0 If they load up to stop the run they will exploit the matchups at TE.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0If they go nickel they will dominate the front seven.<\/p>\n The Jets are very young on Defense and injuries have made the situation worse.\u00a0 These are the starters and ages in parentheses:<\/p>\n The Sherwood injury is significant because he was replacing Blake Cashman who was in for Jarrad Davis.\u00a0 BJ Goodson will fill in.\u00a0 \u00a0Goodson’s play should be watched closely.<\/p>\n The Jets were unable to put consistent pressure on Darnold (1 sack) last week.\u00a0 Mac Jones faced constant pressure from Miami, who blitz the second most of any teams in the league.\u00a0 Jones handled it magnificently, hanging tough in the pocket and taking some tough hits.\u00a0 James White needs to be signaled out for his exceptional blitz pickups and overall pass blocking.\u00a0 If the Jets decide to blitz, Jones will carve them up.<\/p>\n Injuries\u00a0 <\/strong>The injury bug has hit the Jets hard.\u00a0 The Morestead for Mann replacement is significant because Mann was the holder on Field Goals and Extra Points<\/p>\n LT \u00a0Mekhi Becton IR ( 8 weeks)<\/p>\n S Lamar Joyner IR (Out for Year)<\/p>\n P Brandon Mann IR (Replaced by Thomas Morestead)<\/p>\n LB Jamien Sherwood<\/p>\n LB Jarrad Davis<\/p>\n LB Blake Cashman<\/p>\n SS Ashtyn Davis (IR)<\/p>\n SS Sharrod Neasman (IR)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here we are in week two and we have what may be a critical game for the Patriots.\u00a0 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":37542,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22712],"tags":[44,47],"class_list":["post-37858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2021-patriots-season","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-new-york-jets"],"yoast_head":"\n\n