Patriots Vs. Jets Pick: Predictions For Week 3 ‘Thursday Night Football’
The New England Patriots and New York Jets renew their rivalry on "Thursday Night Football" to kick off Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season. The latest installment of the longstanding rivalry will look quite different than we've seen in the past.
Thursday night more or less marks the home debut -- or should we say, re-debut -- for Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The four-time MVP technically made his first appearance in a New York uniform last season at MetLife Stadium, but that lasted just a handful of plays before he tore his Achilles and his season ended. The Jets, who are 1-1 through two weeks, opened with a pair of road games before returning to the Meadowlands for "TNF."
The Patriots, meanwhile, have someone other than Bill Belichick preparing them for a clash with the Jets for the first time since Nov. 15, 1999. Pete Carroll was coaching the Patriots opposite Bill Parcells, and Ray Lucas started at quarterback for the Jets.
Now, Jerod Mayo leads the Patriots down 95 for the first time, hoping to get back on track after coughing up last week's game against Seattle. The 1-1 Patriots have been more competitive than many expected, and now they get their first taste of the AFC East.
New England Patriots at (-6) New York Jets, 8:15 p.m. ET
Total: 38.5
Weather: partly cloudy, mid-70s, no wind
TV: Amazon Prime
PICK: Patriots +6
Is it uncomfortable to pick the Patriots on a short week coming off an overtime game with Jacoby Brissett playing behind a turnstile offensive line? Of course it is. But there are also question marks on the Jets' side that make taking the points here a little more attractive. The biggest thing the Jets must solve is their run defense, which is ranked ninth by EPA per play through two weeks. The 49ers ran wild on New York in Week 1 to the tune of 180 yards, and the Titans racked up 130 on the ground last week. The defense took a considerable blow last week, losing edge rusher Jermaine Johnson for the season, and linebacker C.J. Mosley's status is up in the air with a toe injury. Robert Saleh should and probably will sell out to stop the run, especially given the Patriots' lack of weapons. However, the one thing New England did well in its first two games was run the ball, so that could be an equalizer Thursday night.
On the other side, the Jets' offense looked improved in Week 2, and the Patriots have injury problems of their own, losing Ja'Whaun Bentley for the season. New York's offense, though, is still going through some growing pains as it learns to assimilate, ranking 20th in yards per play over two weeks. Add in the short week and a 40-year-old quarterback, and it's fair to expect a potentially disjointed effort, especially to start.
Long story short, this has all the makings of a low-scoring, sloppy Thursday night game between two divisional rivals. The Jets should take care of business, but it might be a little closer than they want.