The job isn’t over yet for New England. Despite clinching the AFC East title and a playoff spot last week, the Patriots still have to fight for home field advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs. They have an opportunity to take one more step toward that goal when they visit the New York Jets on Sunday.
Can the Pats keep winning for the chance of taking home field advantage? Or will the Jets spoil New England’s bid? Read on as we give you a complete preview of this crucial AFC game.
Don’t look away now as there are more football games to keep you entertained down the stretch to the playoffs. Check out our complete preview for the Broncos vs. Bengals on Monday Night Football, and read on for more on the Patriots Jets game below.
[sc:Football ]New England Patriots vs. New York Jets Preview
Where: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
When: Sunday, December 21, 1:00 PM ET
Line: New England Patriots (-10.5) at New York Jets (+10.5); total 47.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the New England Patriots
The New England Patriots overcame a slow start to stamp their class over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The Patriots clinched AFC East with a dominant 41-13 triumph against their divisional opponents.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Tight end Rob Gronkowski was quiet in the first half, but exploded in the second with a 34-yard touchdown reception from Tom Brady. Gronkowski finished the game with three catches for 96 yards and a score. The New England tight end has been a strong part of the Pats’ receiving game. He has seven touchdowns since the first meeting against the Jets earlier this season.
Meanwhile, Brady flashed more than his arm. He set up LeGarrette Blount’s three-yard touchdown with a 17-yard keeper on the Patriots’ first drive in the second half. Brady threw for two more touchdowns in a 24-point third quarter. The New England quarterback will be difficult to stop, especially facing a New York Jets side he burned for 261 yards and three touchdowns in Week 7.
The Patriots should have a more balanced attack this time around. Rookie running back Jonas Gray has helped boost the Pats’ rushing offense, averaging 4.8 yards per carry this season. Recently acquired Blount has also been solid with three touchdowns in four games as a Patriot this season. Although the Jets have a strong rushing defense (87.5 yards allowed per game, fourth in the league), the Patriots may be to get some production on the ground by keeping their opponents off-balance with a two-pronged attack.
On the other side of the ball, the Patriots should be well-prepared for the Jets’ run-heavy offense. They have tightened up against the run limiting opponents to less than 100 yards rushing in their past three games.
New England may also find success in their pass rush. The Jets’ offensive line have allowed a total of 15 sacks in over the past three games. Defensive lineman Rob Ninkovich should have a big game against the Jets. Ninkovich has a team-leading seven sacks (two in the last two games). The Pats will also benefit from the return of Chandler Jones from injury as he picked up 1.5 sacks on Sunday.
The total has gone over in the Pats’ four AFC East games this season.
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Betting on the New York Jets
The New York Jets knew that a loss would bring them a step closer for next season’s top draft pick. Yet, they continued to play like their season was on the line as they rallied to defeat Tennessee 16-11 on Sunday.
Quarterback Geno Smith threw for 179 yards with a touchdown and avoided throwing an interception for just the third time this season. The last time Smith didn’t throw a pick was in an excellent showing on the road against New England. The second-year quarterback threw for 226 yards and a touchdown in a 27-25 loss to the Pats in Week 7.
The Jets may be able to recreate the same success they had against New England especially with wide receiver Eric Decker recently looking like a reliable No. 1 target. Decker had his first 100-yard game as a Jet against Tennessee on Sunday. He should be able to top his four-catch, 65-yard game in the first meeting against New England.
However, the Jets will be significantly hampered if their running game continues to struggle. The Jets’ leading backs Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson averaged 2.1 yards per carry against Tennessee on Sunday. Ivory, in particular, will need to rediscover the form which helped the Jets outgain the Pats 218-63 rushing yards in Week 7. He had 107 yards and a touchdown in that game.
A couple of key plays from the defense may also help the Jets in their bid to upset the AFC East champions. They’ll need to keep Tom Brady under constant pressure through the blitz. Sheldon Richardson and Quinton Coples may be up to the task. Richardson is just on week removed from a big three-sack game against Minnesota on December 7. Meanwhile, Coples had the Jets’ lone sack against Tennessee on Sunday.
The Jets are 3-0 ATS in their last three games against New England.
Writer’s Prediction
The Pats continue rolling with a win, but fall short of covering the spread. Take the Jets to cover +10.5.
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