After a blowout 43-0 win over the Dolphins, the Pats look to improve to 3-0 on the season as they host the New York Jets. With a depleted Jets team coming into Foxborough, the Patriots are heavy favorites. Let’s get to know the Jets and what to expect for this Sunday’s game.
There is no secret that the Jets aren’t healthy right now at its most important position. Sam Darnold will be out with mononucleosis for the next month and their backup, Trevor Siemian is out for the season with a bad ankle. This forces the Jets to play 3rd string QB, Luke Falk. He did not play terrible in Monday night’s loss to the Browns, but it wasn’t great either. Falk is being put into a situation that not many NFL 3rd string Qbs have to be in, playing because both of teammates are out for a significant amount of time. Jets coach Adam Gates will need to slim down the playbook as has not seen much game action.
Not many things that have gone right this season for the Jets, but one bright spot has been their defense. With a strong defensive line with Leonard Williams, Quinnen Williams, Steve McLendon, and Henry Anderson coming off the edge and up the middle, it can cause problems for their opponents. The Jets linebacker core is also strong as C.J. Mosley has been the leader of the group so far. Their strongest part of the defense is the backend. Jamal Adams and Darryl Roberts have kept teams from hitting big plays downfield for the most part and tackle extremely well as the only mistake Adams has made this year was an 89-yard TD to Odell Beckham Jr. as there was a mistake in coverage. Even though Adams was visibly frustrated with his team performance on Monday night that resulted in him getting benched, he is still reliable and will continue to be the Jets backbone on defense.
Don’t worry, I didn’t forget Le’veon Bell as he is very dangerous on the ground and catching the ball downfield. Bell sat out all of 2018 because of a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Le’Veon is still considered one of the best running backs in the NFL and continues to show is speed after taking a year off. So far in 2019, Bell has rushed for 128 yards 16 receptions. Bell is the ex-factor for the Jets each game and the Patriots will be watching to see where he goes every snap. For the Patriots, the game plan should be to stop Bell and force Falk to beat them with throws downfield.
So, there is the backstory on the Pats opponent. Be sure to watch this Sunday’s game at 1 PM as the Pats look to get another win!
-Robert Marcello is a Staff Writer for Full Press Coverage and covers the New England Patriots. Follow him on Twitter @RobertMarcello5
