{"id":50415,"date":"2024-01-05T10:00:06","date_gmt":"2024-01-05T15:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=50415"},"modified":"2024-01-05T11:21:36","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T16:21:36","slug":"morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: Week 18 New York Jets Preview, Matt Slater Last Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

The \u201cWasted Season\u201d as Tom Curran likes to call it is mercifully coming to an end, but not before one more contest.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s game versus the division rival Jets is usually a good contest to take in but with neither team having anything to play for this is a complete dud of a game.\u00a0 Add to this the potential for a snowstorm Saturday night into Sunday, this will prevent fans from showing up.\u00a0 There is more drama surrounding Bill Belichick and whether this will be his last game coaching the Patriots.\u00a0 One last note about the game. This could also be Captain Matthew Slater\u2019s final game for the Patriots.\u00a0 I will have more about Slater at the end of the article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nOFFENSE<\/strong><\/p>\n

3WR 1TE<\/strong><\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nSTARTER<\/strong><\/td>\n2ND<\/strong><\/td>\n3RD<\/strong><\/td>\n4TH<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
QB<\/td>\nTrevor Siemian<\/td>\nBrett Rypien<\/td>\n\u00a0Zach Wilson O<\/td>\nAaron Rodgers O<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RB<\/td>\nBreece Hall<\/td>\nIsrael Abanikanda<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/u><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nGarrett Wilson<\/td>\nAllen Lazard Q<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nJason Brownlee<\/td>\nIrvin Charles<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nXavier Gipson<\/td>\nRandall Cobb<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TE<\/td>\nTyler Conklin<\/td>\nJeremy Ruckert O<\/td>\nKenny Yeboah<\/td>\nZack Kuntz<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LT<\/td>\nMekhi Becton<\/td>\nCarter Warren<\/td>\nAustin Deculus<\/td>\nBilly\u00a0Turner<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LG<\/td>\nLaken\u00a0Tomlinson<\/td>\nConnor McGovern\u00a0IR<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C<\/td>\nJoe Tippmann<\/td>\nJake Hanson\u00a0O<\/td>\nWes Schweitzer\u00a0IR<\/td>\nConnor McGovern\u00a0IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RG<\/td>\nMax\u00a0Mitchell<\/td>\nJake Hanson\u00a0O<\/td>\nXavier Newman<\/td>\nBilly\u00a0Turner<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RT<\/td>\nCarter Warren<\/td>\nMax\u00a0Mitchell<\/td>\nBilly\u00a0Turner<\/td>\nMekhi Becton<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Who is quarterbacking the Jets this week?\u00a0 Coach Robert Saleh at his Press Conference on Wednesday ruled Zach Wilson out for Sunday\u2019s game.\u00a0 He is still in concussion protocol.\u00a0 \u00a0He was listed as the starter on the ESPN depth chart but who knows with the Jets.\u00a0 Trevor Siemian came in for an ineffective Wilson in the Week 15, 30-0 debacle in Miami.\u00a0 The next week Siemian led the Jets to a 30-28 upset of the Commanders at East Rutherford NJ.\u00a0 \u00a0Last week Siemian turned back into a pumpkin in a 37-20 loss at Cleveland.\u00a0 It\u2019s obvious that the Jets don\u2019t play well away from home.\u00a0 The Patriots come in as 1.5-point favorites.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t touch this game with a 10-foot pole!\u00a0 Brett Rypien is now the backup QB to Siemian.\u00a0 Might we see some of Aaron Rodgers who was listed as Limited in today\u2019s practice?<\/p>\n

Breece Hall has had a very good year considering how bad the QB play, and offensive line have been.\u00a0 Hall is averaging 4.4 yards per carry (16th<\/sup>) for 816 yards (22nd<\/sup>).\u00a0 The Jets released Dalvin Cook this week.\u00a0 I guess he didn\u2019t work out as well as Ezekiel Elliott did for the Pats. \u00a0The Jets gave Cook an opportunity to hook on with a playoff team in a mutually agreed move.\u00a0 Israel Abanikanda is a 2023 5th<\/sup> round (#143) selection by NYJ who formally played for the Pittsburgh Panthers.\u00a0 He set a single game record at Pitt rushing for 320 yards to eclipse Tony Dorsett\u2019s Pitt record of 302.\u00a0 He may be the best player nobody\u2019s heard of.\u00a0 He was a 1st<\/sup> team All-ACC runningback leading the conference with 1431 yards rushing.\u00a0 Abanikanda finished as the NCAA statistical champion in scoring\u00a0(11.6 points per game), total touchdowns (21) and rushing touchdowns (20). He also had lofty NCAA rankings in all-purpose yards (second, 164.09 avg.), total points scored (fourth, 128), rushing yards per game (seventh, 130.1 avg.) and total rushing yards (14th<\/sup>, 1,431).<\/p>\n

Wide Receiver has been a problem for the Jets all season.\u00a0 \u00a0They can\u2019t seem to find reliable wideouts.\u00a0 Some of that is due to the QB problems after Aaron Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles on the first series of the season.\u00a0 \u00a0Garrett Wison has disappointed despite making 93 receptions on 163 targets.\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s just 57 % of the throws are caught.\u00a0\u00a0 Wilson has 1008 yards receiving, 10.8 avg, and 3 TDs.\u00a0 Jason Brownlee and Xavier Gipson don\u2019t exactly strike fear into opponents.\u00a0 Gipson has 20 catches and Brownlee just 5.\u00a0 Allen Lazard has 23 catches on 49 targets for 311 yards, 13.5 yards per reception, and just 1 TD.<\/p>\n

Tight End Tyler Conklin is 3rd<\/sup> on the team with 58 receptions on 84 targets, with 605 yards receiving yards boy no TDs.\u00a0 It\u2019s Breece Hall who is 2nd<\/sup> on the team with 74 catches on 93 targets for 579 yards (7.8 average), and 4 TDs.\u00a0 Jeremy Ruckert has 16 catches as the 2nd<\/sup> TE, but he has been ruled Out.<\/p>\n

The mess known as the Jets Offensive line is actually much worse than the Patriots.\u00a0 LT Mekhi Becton has been flat out awful.\u00a0 The former 2020 1st<\/sup> round (#11) selection by NYJ, was supposed to be the anchor of their O-line for years to come.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think the Jets will exercise their 5th<\/sup> year option on Becton.\u00a0 How bad is he?\u00a0 Becton leads the league by giving up 12 sacks, is 2nd<\/sup> in the league with 18 penalties, and has a 51.1 Rating by Pro Football Focus.\u00a0 His ranking is 73rd<\/sup> which means that he is not good enough to start.\u00a0 Laken Tomlinson starts at LG.\u00a0 The 14-year veteran will be 32 next month.\u00a0 He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021.\u00a0 His best football is behind him.\u00a0 He signed with the Jets as a Free Agent after his Pro Bowl selection but hasn\u2019t played to that level for New York.\u00a0 \u00a0Joe Tippmann was a 2023 2nd<\/sup> (#43) selection out of Wisconsin.\u00a0 He has played pretty well as a rookie garnering a 58.4 PFF grade good for 24th<\/sup> in the league.\u00a0 He is tied for 3rd<\/sup> amongst centers with 8 penalties on the season.\u00a0 By comparison veteran Patriots Captain David Andrews is 10th<\/sup> in the league.\u00a0 Right Guard Max Mitchell is actually a Tackle playing Guard.\u00a0 He is 6\u20196\u201d and was drafted by New York in the 4th<\/sup> Round (#111) of the 2022 draft out of Louisiana.\u00a0 His PFF ranking of 49.3 is as a Tackle and he was ranked 76th<\/sup>, not starter material.\u00a0 Right Tackle has rookie Carter Warren manning the position.\u00a0 \u00a0Warren was a 2023 4th<\/sup> round (#120) pick out of Pittsburgh.\u00a0 This has been a rough year for Warren as he is ranked 78th<\/sup> by PFF.\u00a0 He has played 336 snaps so far, which is a lot more than the Jets wanted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DEFENSE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nBase 4-3 D<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nSTARTER<\/strong><\/td>\n2ND<\/strong><\/td>\n3RD<\/strong><\/td>\n4TH<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LDE<\/td>\nJohn Franklin -Myers<\/td>\nBryce Huff<\/td>\nIfeadi Odenigbo\u00a0IR<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LDT<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/b>Solomon Thomas<\/td>\nQuinton\u00a0Jefferson IR<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/u><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RDT<\/td>\nQuinnen\u00a0Williams<\/td>\nMicheal Clemons<\/td>\nJalyn\u00a0Holmes<\/td>\nAl\u00a0Woods IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RDE<\/td>\nJermaine\u00a0Johnson<\/td>\nWill\u00a0McDonald IV<\/td>\nCarl Lawson<\/td>\nBradlee Anae\u00a0IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WLB<\/td>\nJamien Sherwood<\/td>\nSam Eguavoen<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MLB<\/td>\nC.J. Mosley<\/td>\nChazz\u00a0Surratt<\/td>\nMaalik\u00a0Hall IR<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/u><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SLB<\/td>\nQuincy\u00a0Williams<\/td>\nZaire Barnes\u00a0IR<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LCB<\/td>\nSauce Gardner<\/td>\nMichael Carter<\/td>\nJustin Hardee<\/td>\nBryce\u00a0Hall<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SS<\/td>\nJordan Whitehead<\/td>\nChuck Clark\u00a0IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FS<\/td>\nTony\u00a0Adams<\/td>\nAshtyn\u00a0Davis<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RCB<\/td>\nD.J. Reed<\/td>\nBrandin Echols<\/td>\nJarrick\u00a0Bernard-Converse<\/td>\nJavelin Guidry\u00a0IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Defensive statistics have the Jets listed as the 18th team giving up 352 points.\u00a0 The Patriots are the 17th rank allowing only 349.\u00a0 The defensive line was very impressive and Quinnen Wiliams is still one of the best interior linemen in the league.\u00a0 There is a big drop off after Williams.\u00a0 John Franklin-Myers can get after the passer.\u00a0 He has 3.5 sacks and 32 total tackles.\u00a0 Solomon Thomas has 5 sacks and 31 total tackles.\u00a0 Jermaine Johnson has 53 tackles and 8.5 sacks.\u00a0 Will McDonald has been a disappointment.\u00a0 In the 2023 draft he was selected in the 1st<\/sup> Round (#15) but only has 11 tackles and 2 sacks.<\/p>\n

The strength of the Jets Defense is their Linebackers.\u00a0 CJ Mosely has 144 tackles and a half sack.\u00a0 He was a 2014 1st<\/sup> round selection (#17) by the Ravens.\u00a0 He signed as a Free Agent with NYJ in 2019 and has been a mainstay ever since. \u00a0\u00a0Quincy Williams, Quinnen\u2019s brother added 131 tackles.\u00a0 Selected in the 3rd<\/sup> Round (#120) by Jacksonville out of Murray State, he was waived and picked up by the Jets at the final cutdown in 2021.\u00a0 What a good claim!\u00a0 Jamien Sherwoood is the other linebacker.\u00a0 Sherwood contributed 38 tackles in 16 games.\u00a0 Another one of those light but fast linebackers, Sherwood is actually a Strong Safety playing the linebacker position like so many of the Patriots Safeties.\u00a0 A 2021 5th<\/sup> round (#146) selection by NY, he played his college ball at Auburn.<\/p>\n

Sauce Gardner is a gifted cornerback and one of the best shutdown corners in the league.\u00a0 The 2022 1st<\/sup> round pick (#4) has lived up to the hype and performed at the highest level.\u00a0 He was the Defensive Rookie of the Year; 1st<\/sup> team All Pro, and 2x Pro Bowl selection (22 & 23).\u00a0 He has 11 pass breakups but no INTs.\u00a0 Opposing QBs just don\u2019t throw to whoever he is covering (If they are smart). \u00a0Safety Jordan Whitehead is third on the team in tackles with 97.\u00a0 He is a ballhawk with 4 INTs on the year.\u00a0 The 2016 4th<\/sup> Round (#117) draft pick of Tampa Bay signed a 2-year contract with NYJ.\u00a0 He will be a Free Agent at the end of the season. Week 1 of this year he intercepted Buffalo\u2019s Josh Allen 3 times, and in doing so met his season $250,000 incentive bonus.\u00a0 Tony Adams was an Undrafted Free Agent signed last year by NY and now he is starting.\u00a0 He is 4th<\/sup> on the team in tackles with 81 in just 14 games.\u00a0 DJ Reed is the Right Cornerback.\u00a0 Originally drafted by San Francisco in the 5th<\/sup> Round (#142) of the 2018 draft, he signed a three-year Free Agent contract with New York in 2022.\u00a0 \u00a0He has contributed 73 tackles this season in 14 games.\u00a0 DJ Reed fills the RCB position.\u00a0 The 2018 draft saw Reed taken in the 5th <\/sup>Round (#142) out of Kansas State by San Francisco.\u00a0 Reed is smallish at 5\u20199\u201d, 188 lbs. and ran a 4.51 40-yard dash and 6.82 3-cone drill.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSpecial Teams<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nSTARTER<\/strong><\/td>\n2ND<\/strong><\/td>\n3RD<\/strong><\/td>\n4TH<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PK<\/td>\nGreg Zuerlein<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
P<\/td>\nThomas Morstead<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H<\/td>\nThomas Morstead<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PR<\/td>\nXavier Gipson<\/td>\nD.J. Reed<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KR<\/td>\nXavier Gipson<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LS<\/td>\nThomas Hennessy<\/td>\n<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Jets Special Teams are an experienced unit.\u00a0 Greg Zurlein\u2019s nickname is \u201cthe Leg\u201d.\u00a0 He can kick those long field goals and kickoffs deep in the endzone.\u00a0 Zurlein is ranked 11th<\/sup> by Pro Football Reference (PFR) and has made 32 of 34 Field Goals this year.\u00a0 Thomas Morestead is a 37-year-old veteran punter and is ranked #1 by PFR.\u00a0 He has averaged 49 yards per punt and dropped 33 of those inside the 20.\u00a0 Morestead did not receive the Pro Bowl nod.\u00a0 Xavier Gipson is ranked #5 overall in Kick Returns and Punt Returns.\u00a0 He has one Kickoff Return for a TD.\u00a0 \u00a0Gunner Justin Hardee supplanted Matt Slater as the Pro Bowl Special Teamer this year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pro Bowl Snubs<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was reported that no Patriots players were selected to the Pro Bowl.\u00a0 That is not correct as Matt Judon was selected as 1st<\/sup> Team Pro Bowl.\u00a0 He will not participate because of injury.\u00a0 However, two other players deserved to be selected.\u00a0 Christian Barmore has been one of the most dominant Defensive Tackles in the league.\u00a0 Safety Jabril Peppers has also had a solid year.\u00a0 These two players were keys to the Patriots\u2019 Defense allowing only 3.2 yards per carry for the year, and in the second half they were the most dominant defense.\u00a0 Credit must also go out to coaches Stephen Belichick and Jerod Mayo for getting this Defense ready every week despite the team record.\u00a0 Bryce Baringer was in consideration, but he fell off as the season went on.\u00a0 He has dropped 40% of his punts inside the 20-yard line.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matthew Slater<\/strong><\/p>\n

There may not have been a more classy player in Patriots history than Matthew Slater. \u00a0\u00a0Not only was he a perennial Pro-Bowl selection (10 times) but he was also the spiritual leader of the team.\u00a0 This from a 2008 5th<\/sup> round (#153) selection out of UCLA.\u00a0 Slater was a WR that no one heard of!\u00a0 Bill Belichick knew of him and valued his skills so much that he took him in the 5th<\/sup> round.\u00a0 Nobody could have predicted that Slater would play 16 years in the league. \u00a0Slater should get a call from the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday.\u00a0 He and his father Jackie would be the first Father\/Son combination selected to the HoF.\u00a0 Matt was selected to the All-Pro 1st<\/sup> team 5 times and 2nd<\/sup> team 3 times. \u00a0\u00a0He also contributed to the Patriots winning three Super Bowls.\u00a0 His awards include the Art Rooney Award (Sportsmanship) and Bart Starr Award (Outstand Character and Leadership).\u00a0 It\u2019s just a matter of time before he will be selected.\u00a0\u00a0 Slater wants to be a minister and is very likely will stay in the Foxboro area. \u00a0\u00a0His wife Dr. Shahrzad Slater is a pathologist and Vice President of LMK Clinical Research Consulting.\u00a0 The couple are well known for their charitable work in the Providence RI area.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Snow For Sunday<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you have tickets for the game pay attention to the weather forecast.\u00a0 The local meteorologists are predicting a wind driven snow event for Sunday.\u00a0 The predictions are all over the place right now and the weathermen are giddy about the pending disaster.\u00a0 The storm is coming in Saturday Night through Sunday.\u00a0 In the past, the patriots were unable to clear all the seats in the stadium while it snowed.\u00a0 Stay tuned to local sports broadcasts for the latest on the game.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Belichick Scheduled to Meet with Krafts Monday<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mike Reiss is reporting that the meeting is scheduled for Monday.\u00a0 It is normal there would be an after the season meeting between the owner and Coach to discuss what has happened and what the plan is going forward.\u00a0 However, this is more pivotal with the bad the two tears of bad results.\u00a0 Belichick will be given an opportunity to express his thought on what happened.\u00a0 Anything is possible.\u00a0 I expect that Kraft will insist that Belichick relinquish the GM duties.\u00a0 Belichick will balk at this, and Kraft will then ask what team he would like to be traded to.\u00a0 Belichick will not be allowed to talk to teams until a trade is consummated. However, you know that Belichick’s agent has already been in touch with the teams he would be interested in coaching.\u00a0 The bar has been set by Sean Payton and his trade from NO to Denver.\u00a0 NO received DEN 1st picks in 2023 (#29 – 650 points) and a 2024 2nd Rd pick (#46 – 450 pts) and NO will send 2024 3 rd (#78 – 200 points), an 890-point difference.\u00a0 \u00a0A comparable trade with San Diego would be 2024 1st #10 -1300 points and 2024 5th round pick (72-points).\u00a0 NE would add 2024 3rd pick (#66 – 250 points) and a 2025 3rd round pick (200-points).\u00a0 \u00a0This would be a mutually agreed parting of the ways that will allow Belichick to pursue his goal of reaching the most wins record.\u00a0 This would be the cleanest way to end his tenure with the Patriots and Kraft is not actually firing Belichick.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The \u201cWasted Season\u201d as Tom Curran likes to call it is mercifully coming to an end, but not before one more contest.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":48088,"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":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-commentary"],"yoast_head":"\nMORSE: Week 18 New York Jets Preview, Matt Slater Last Game<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The \u201cWasted Season\u201d as Tom Curran likes to call it is mercifully coming to an end, but not before one more contest.\u00a0 \u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"MORSE: Week 18 New York Jets Preview, Matt Slater Last Game | PatsFans.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The \u201cWasted Season\u201d as Tom Curran likes to call it is mercifully coming to an end, but not before one more contest.\u00a0 \u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"PatsFans.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pfans\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-01-05T15:00:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-01-05T16:21:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/USATSI_21496573_168390408_lowres.jpg?fit=2051%2C1367&ssl=1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2051\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1367\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mark Morse\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@patsfans\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@patsfans\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/05\\\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/05\\\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mark Morse\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/db6ff3fd6d44db4d259b674785ea2167\"},\"headline\":\"MORSE: Week 18 New York Jets Preview, Matt Slater Last Game\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-01-05T15:00:06+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-01-05T16:21:36+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/05\\\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2421,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/05\\\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/USATSI_21496573_168390408_lowres.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Patriots Commentary\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/05\\\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/05\\\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/05\\\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\\\/\",\"name\":\"MORSE: Week 18 New York Jets Preview, Matt Slater Last Game\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/05\\\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/05\\\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/USATSI_21496573_168390408_lowres.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-01-05T15:00:06+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-01-05T16:21:36+00:00\",\"description\":\"The \u201cWasted Season\u201d as Tom Curran likes to call it is mercifully coming to an end, but not before one more contest.\u00a0 \u00a0\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/05\\\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/05\\\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/05\\\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/USATSI_21496573_168390408_lowres.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/USATSI_21496573_168390408_lowres.jpg\",\"width\":2051,\"height\":1367,\"caption\":\"Danielle Parhizkaran\\\/NorthJersey.com \\\/ USA TODAY NETWORK\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/05\\\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Patriots Commentary\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/category\\\/patriots-commentary\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"MORSE: Week 18 New York Jets Preview, Matt Slater Last Game\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"PatsFans.com\",\"description\":\"Patriots Blog with News and Analysis\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"PatsFans.com\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/01\\\/PF_Social_Logo.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/01\\\/PF_Social_Logo.webp\",\"width\":300,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"PatsFans.com\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/pfans\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/patsfans\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/patsfans\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.com\\\/patsfans\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/patsfans\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.tiktok.com\\\/@patsfans.official\"],\"foundingDate\":\"2000-06-17\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/db6ff3fd6d44db4d259b674785ea2167\",\"name\":\"Mark Morse\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/edac4d42d2c985795df98560d6b4a8771bc8502406d21e7a8ee977393412af3e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/edac4d42d2c985795df98560d6b4a8771bc8502406d21e7a8ee977393412af3e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/edac4d42d2c985795df98560d6b4a8771bc8502406d21e7a8ee977393412af3e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Mark Morse\"},\"description\":\"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 \u201cHarpo\u201d 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.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/markmorse5\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"MORSE: Week 18 New York Jets Preview, Matt Slater Last Game","description":"The \u201cWasted Season\u201d as Tom Curran likes to call it is mercifully coming to an end, but not before one more contest.\u00a0 \u00a0","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"MORSE: Week 18 New York Jets Preview, Matt Slater Last Game | PatsFans.com","og_description":"The \u201cWasted Season\u201d as Tom Curran likes to call it is mercifully coming to an end, but not before one more contest.\u00a0 \u00a0","og_url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/","og_site_name":"PatsFans.com","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pfans","article_published_time":"2024-01-05T15:00:06+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-01-05T16:21:36+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2051,"height":1367,"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/USATSI_21496573_168390408_lowres.jpg?fit=2051%2C1367&ssl=1","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Mark Morse","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@patsfans","twitter_site":"@patsfans","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/"},"author":{"name":"Mark Morse","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/db6ff3fd6d44db4d259b674785ea2167"},"headline":"MORSE: Week 18 New York Jets Preview, Matt Slater Last Game","datePublished":"2024-01-05T15:00:06+00:00","dateModified":"2024-01-05T16:21:36+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/"},"wordCount":2421,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/USATSI_21496573_168390408_lowres.jpg","articleSection":["Patriots Commentary"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/","url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/","name":"MORSE: Week 18 New York Jets Preview, Matt Slater Last Game","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/USATSI_21496573_168390408_lowres.jpg","datePublished":"2024-01-05T15:00:06+00:00","dateModified":"2024-01-05T16:21:36+00:00","description":"The \u201cWasted Season\u201d as Tom Curran likes to call it is mercifully coming to an end, but not before one more contest.\u00a0 \u00a0","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/USATSI_21496573_168390408_lowres.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/USATSI_21496573_168390408_lowres.jpg","width":2051,"height":1367,"caption":"Danielle Parhizkaran\/NorthJersey.com \/ USA TODAY NETWORK"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/05\/morse-week-18-new-york-jets-preview-matt-slater-last-game\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Patriots Commentary","item":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/category\/patriots-commentary\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"MORSE: Week 18 New York Jets Preview, Matt Slater Last Game"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/","name":"PatsFans.com","description":"Patriots Blog with News and Analysis","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#organization","name":"PatsFans.com","url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/PF_Social_Logo.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/PF_Social_Logo.webp","width":300,"height":300,"caption":"PatsFans.com"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pfans","https:\/\/x.com\/patsfans","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/patsfans","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/patsfans\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/patsfans","https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@patsfans.official"],"foundingDate":"2000-06-17"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/db6ff3fd6d44db4d259b674785ea2167","name":"Mark Morse","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/edac4d42d2c985795df98560d6b4a8771bc8502406d21e7a8ee977393412af3e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/edac4d42d2c985795df98560d6b4a8771bc8502406d21e7a8ee977393412af3e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/edac4d42d2c985795df98560d6b4a8771bc8502406d21e7a8ee977393412af3e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Mark Morse"},"description":"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 \u201cHarpo\u201d 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.","url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/author\/markmorse5\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/USATSI_21496573_168390408_lowres.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50415"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50415\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50465,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50415\/revisions\/50465"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}