{"id":50467,"date":"2024-01-07T05:00:43","date_gmt":"2024-01-07T10:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=50467"},"modified":"2024-01-06T10:30:53","modified_gmt":"2024-01-06T15:30:53","slug":"patriots-news-1-7-players-to-watch-against-the-jets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/01\/07\/patriots-news-1-7-players-to-watch-against-the-jets\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots News 1-7, Players To Watch Against The Jets\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, and Happy Gameday for the last Patriots football for the season. There will likely be some significant changes after today\u2019s game, and this may be the last time we see Bill Belichick on the Patriots sideline and Matthew Slater in a Patriots uniform.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The disappointing season ends with a familiar foe, the Jets, who are suffering through disappointment of their own. Despite each team\u2019s losing records, it promises to be a typical NE-NY game, a tough, physical matchup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the weather expected to dump some significant snow in the area, the running games for each team will be an important factor for winning this matchup.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll list our players to watch and keys to the game below.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick Hitters For the Patriots and NFL News:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Trent Brown:\u00a0 <\/b>The Patriots left tackle has been ruled out of Sunday\u2019s finale officially due to an illness. Bill Belichick said that Brown, who didn\u2019t practice at all this week, was suffering from \u201cflu-like symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brown is a free agent after this season and will likely be moving on. According to a report in the Boston Herald, Brown was openly discussing playing next year for an NFC team after the Patriots\u2019 win over Pittsburgh.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rookie Gifts: <\/b>The team\u2019s rookies were given snow brushes\/scrapers this week, and the reaction from Demario Douglas was certainly amusing. Douglas wasn\u2019t even sure what to do with it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Douglas, speaking with ESPN\u2019s Mike Reiss, said, \u201cThis is new to me. I\u2019m from Florida.\u201d But it was also a message from Belichick to the rookies. Although the weather is expected to be bad, you\u2019re expected to be on time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots 4th & 2 Podcast:<\/b> If you haven\u2019t listened to our<\/span> PatsFans.com podcast,<\/span><\/a> Patriots 4th & 2\u201d, in a bit, please check it out. Patriots 4th & 2 has expanded.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Derek Havens and I did a quick recap of the Bills game last week and discussed the changes that are invariably coming for the team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Russ Francis\/Chuck Fairbanks:<\/b> The former Patriot tight end and head coach should be in the Patriots team Hall of Fame, and the fact that Francis isn\u2019t in is an absolute travesty. Francis and the Raiders\u2019 Dave Casper changed the game with how teams used the tight end position…this will be on our Sunday posts until it happens. Casper is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Francis\u2019 numbers stand up well against Casper\u2019s, yet he isn\u2019t in the team\u2019s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots Players To Watch Against The Jets \u2014<\/b><\/p>\n

The Patriots and Jets meet for the second time this season and close out the 2023 season, which was a disappointment for both teams. The Patriots have won the past 15 games against Gang Green and would like to extend that to Sweet 16. Say what you will about Mac Jones (and many of you have); he was 5-0 against the Jets. Now it is Bailey Zappe\u2019s turn to see how he can fare against the Patriots\u2019 bitter rival.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Jets signed Aaron Rodgers this spring, but he\u2019s on IR; Zach Wilson didn\u2019t pass concussion protocol, they gave Tim Boyle a shot, and now it is Trevor Siemian\u2019s game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are our Patriot players to watch today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Matthew Slater: <\/b>The 16-year vet is likely playing in his last game, and he should be going through a range of emotions in front of Gillette Stadium\u2019s crowd. The 38-year-old STs maven is still playing at a high level. Last week, he provided a key block on Jalen Reagor\u2019s 98-yard TD on the opening kickoff.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Slater wasn\u2019t sure that he\u2019d even last a year in the NFL when he was a rookie 5th-round pick, but he landed in the right place with the Patriots and Bill Belichick, who puts such a high priority on special teams’ play. And Slater gives a ton of credit to his coach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t have had a third of the career I\u2019ve had without Coach. He\u2019s pushed me every step of the way. He\u2019s shown a belief in me when a lot of people wouldn\u2019t have and gave me a chance coming out of college when a lot of other teams would not have.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s kept me around a lot longer than I thought he would. So I certainly appreciate that and appreciate the way he leads from the front, his example, his sacrifice, and his accountability. I could go on and on about Coach, but simply stated, I\u2019m not standing up here talking to you without Coach Belichick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slater will have to wait for five years before he\u2019s eligible for a vote in Canton. And while no STs players (other than kickers or kick returners have been voted in), Slater is certainly deserving. No players who have at least 10 Pro Bowls, which Slater has, are not in Canton. Time will tell.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bailey Zappe:<\/b> Can Zappe shake off the horrible start he had in Buffalo against a Jets defense that is very good against the run and the pass? He got into a little bit of rhythm in the second half against the Bills but will have to play a clean game with no turnovers this week, where points are expected to be at a premium.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Jets have an excellent front seven and should be able to bring pressure on Zappe, considering the Patriots patch work offensive line. Since Zappe became the starter, the offense has generated many more explosive plays. But the offense has been less efficient as Zappe struggles in the short\/intermediate game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kevin Harris:<\/b> With the weather expected to be snowy for the game, a premium may be placed on the running game. If that is the case, we can expect Harris to get more snaps this week with Ezekiel Elliott.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Harris hasn\u2019t played much this season, but last week, he caught a 48-yard pass against Buffalo. An extended look against the Jets would go a long way in getting a look for more snaps next year. Harris is an ERFA and should be back in 2024.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Marte Mapu: <\/b>The Patriots\u2019 rookie should see some extended snaps this week as the team plays out their final game of the season. Breece Hall, the excellent RB of the Jets, has been excellent out of the backfield, catching 74 passes this year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hall will be a focus in the Jets\u2019 short passing game, something that Ja\u2019Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, and Mapu will be looking at stopping. Mapu has the speed and athleticism to handle this task, and it would be a great opportunity for him to get some more experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction:\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Patriots and Jets are mirror images of each other. Very good (Top 10) defenses with struggling offenses that turn the ball over and can\u2019t score enough points.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It comes down to who turns the ball over and who can piece together enough running room for the backs to exploit. I think the Patriots will force Siemian into a few turnovers, and the Elliott\/Harris tandem will grind out enough yards to send the team and possibly Belichick and Slater to go out winners.\u00a0 <\/span>Patriots 13-10.<\/b><\/p>\n

Week 18 Predictions<\/b> \u2014<\/b><\/h3>\n

Saturday Games:<\/b><\/p>\n

Pittsburgh <\/b>over Baltimore<\/span>
\n<\/span>Houston<\/b> over Indianapolis<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday Day Games:<\/b><\/p>\n

Cincinnati <\/b>over Cleveland<\/span>
\n<\/span>Detroit <\/b>over Minnesota<\/span>
\n<\/span>Jacksonville <\/b>over Tennesee<\/span>
\n<\/span>New England <\/b>over NYJ<\/span>
\n<\/span>New Orleans <\/b>over Atlanta<\/span>
\n<\/span>Green Bay<\/b> over Chicago<\/span>
\n<\/span>Tampa Bay <\/b>over Carolina<\/span>
\n<\/span>Las Vegas<\/b> over Denver<\/span>
\n<\/span>Philadelphia <\/b>over NYG<\/span>
\n<\/span>Arizona <\/b>over Seattle<\/span>
\n<\/span>San Francisco<\/b> over LA Rams<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dallas <\/b>over Washington<\/span>
\n<\/span>Kansas City<\/b> over LA Chargers<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday Night Football:<\/b><\/p>\n

Green Bay<\/b> over Minnesota<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Last Week\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 13\u20143<\/b><\/p>\n

2023 Season\u00a0 \u00a0 166\u201490<\/b><\/p>\n

2022 Season: \u00a0 178\u201492\u20142<\/b><\/p>\n

2021 Season: \u00a0 183\u201488\u20141<\/b><\/p>\n

2020 Season: \u00a0 169\u201486\u20141\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

2019 Season: \u00a0 162\u201493\u20141<\/b><\/p>\n

______________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s just about the perfect player,\u201d Belichick said. \u201cHe does everything you want him to do for your team. He\u2019s the first guy in, last one out, and is a minimal play-time player in terms of the total number of plays he plays, but the way he trains, the way he prepares, communicates \u2014 he does everything he can to help the team.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cHe has tremendous, total respect from everybody in the organization,\u201d Belichick continued. \u201cPlayers, coaches, staff, you name it. And he\u2019s earned it. He earns it every day. Every day, he comes in like he might get cut that day. Prepares and practices and performs like, \u2018If I don\u2019t do good today, I might not be here tomorrow.\u2019 That\u2019s a tremendous attitude.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cI think Slater really is eventually going to be a Hall of Fame candidate,\u201d Belichick said. \u201cAs a coverage player, not as a specialist and he\u2019s not a returner. So he\u2019s in a very unique category, one that I don\u2019t think is represented in the Hall of Fame. But based on what he did during his career, the length of time he did it, and the level he\u2019s done it at \u2026 I would say this guy has been as productive as anybody has ever been at his position throughout his entire career, which is very lengthy. I think he\u2019s the best that\u2019s ever done what he\u2019s done.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Bill Belichick, on Matthew Slater, if he Slater was worthy of the NFL\u2019s Hall of Fame after his playing career is over.<\/span><\/p>\n

_______________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTalent sets the floor; Character sets the ceiling.\u201d Bill Belichick<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at<\/span><\/i> stevebpatsfans@gmail.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to our<\/span><\/i> Patriots 4th and 2<\/span><\/i><\/a> podcasts on Stitcher and Streamyard as Russ Goldman, Derek Havens, and myself from<\/span><\/i> PatsFans.com<\/span><\/i><\/a> discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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