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The New England Patriots (1-1) and the New York Jets (1-1) meet in an early AFC East clash on Thursday, September 19th at MetLife Stadium. Both teams are coming off split results through the first two weeks, with each showing strengths in the ground game and flashes of defensive dominance. While neither squad has wowed with explosive offensive plays, this matchup promises a gritty battle centered around ball control and defense.
The Patriots have surprised many early in the season, performing above expectations. After being widely considered one of the worst teams in the NFL heading into the year, they opened with a solid 16-10 win against the Bengals in Cincinnati, followed by a narrow 23-20 overtime loss at home to the Seahawks. How have they kept things close? By leaning on their running game and limiting turnovers.
In their Week 1 victory, the Patriots racked up 179 rushing yards, and in Week 2, they posted another impressive 185 rushing yards against Seattle’s front seven. Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson have been grinding out yardage, giving the Patriots a solid foundation to control the clock. Jacoby Brissett hasn’t needed to do too much in the air, with just 51 attempts across two games, but he’s protected the ball well with no interceptions.
The Patriots have been sound defensively, mostly limiting big plays from quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Geno Smith in check. The defense will face another tough test against a Jets team looking to find more offensive consistency.
The Jets have also split their first two games, starting with a tough 32-19 loss to the 49ers, followed by a 24-17 bounce-back win against the Tennessee Titans. The main storyline for the Jets has been Aaron Rodgers’ struggle to find rhythm in the passing game. Rodgers has hovered around 170 passing yards in both games, throwing three touchdowns and one interception. Despite his pedestrian numbers, Rodgers remains the leader of the offense, and with a deep group of running backs, the Jets still pose a threat on any given play.
The backfield duo of Breece Hall and Braelon Allen has been crucial to the Jets offense. Hall, a young star, has been solid in both the running and passing game, while Allen, the NFL’s youngest player at 20, is proving to be a dangerous complement. Allen scored twice against the Titans, once on the ground and once through the air, adding another dimension to the Jets offense. The Jets’ success on the ground will likely be a key factor against a Patriots defense that has been strong against the run.
Both teams have showcased a run-heavy approach, and the Jets’ ability to slow down New England’s ground game will be crucial. In their Week 1 loss to the 49ers, the Jets were gashed for 180 rushing yards, but they rebounded well in Week 2, holding the Titans’ featured back Tony Pollard to just 63 yards on the ground. The Patriots, with their physical offensive line and punishing running backs, will aim to control the tempo, but the Jets’ front seven, led by Quinnen Williams, has the talent to disrupt that plan.
Aaron Rodgers may not have put up huge numbers through two games, but the Patriots’ secondary will need to be wary of the big-play potential presented by wide receiver Garrett Wilson. The Jets’ passing attack hasn’t exploded yet, but Wilson can instantly change that. The Patriots will need to contain Wilson and make sure Rodgers doesn’t find his rhythm late in the game.
This game is shaping up to be a defensive battle, with both teams favoring the run and struggling to generate big plays through the air. Given the Jets’ stout pass defense and the Patriots’ run-heavy attack, the scoreline could stay low. Look for a close, grinding game that may come down to a late Aaron Rodgers drive, but with both defenses playing well, don’t expect a high-scoring affair. We like the Jets to walk away from their home opener with a win, improving to 2-1.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.