Burning Questions | Previewing Jets-Patriots on ‘Thursday Night Football’

The Jets saw steady improvements in run defense in their Week 2 victory, allowing only 90 yards to Tennessee running backs. The Patriots, led by Rhamondre Stevenson, have eclipsed 170 yards on the ground in consecutive games to begin the season. What approach do you expect the New England offense to take when attacking this New York defense?

MD: I’d bet it’s largely similar, they’re going to try to get Rhamondre going early and often. Antonio Gibson had a nice day against the Seahawks with some explosive runs, he’s an emerging complement who will also get a fair shar of touches. Their passing game has been so stagnant it’s hard to imagine them suddenly putting it all together on the short week. They want to run the ball, control the game, keep scoring down and give themselves a chance at the end. They’ve been fairly disciplined (just eight penalties and no turnovers) and they’ve had to be without being able to produce explosive plays through the air. It seems like all avenues to a Patriots victory against the Jets begins and likely ends with them putting up another 150-plus rushing yards.

JP: Despite the departure of future Hall of Fame HC Bill Belichick over the offseason, new HC Jerod Mayo’s approach to the game looks eerily similar – play disciplined football, which starts by running the ball to limit mistakes. Stevenson is on tear to start the season with 201 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns over the first 2 games. The expectation will be for the Patriots to ride Stevenson and free agent addition Antonio Gipson (18 attempts for 114 yards this season) again. The Jets successfully bounced back from an uncharacteristic performance in run defense against San Francisco, holding the Titans Tony Pollard to 62 yards (3.6 YPC) on the ground. Potentially not having C.J. Mosley, who sustained a toe injury against the Titans, will be factor. LB Jamien Sherwood, however, played well in relief and had 9 tackles, a TFL and a PD, and should be up for the challenge of again playing alongside All-Pro Quincy Williams. I expect the Jets to put an end to the Patriots’ early streak of 100-plus yard running games.