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The New York Jets failed to build on their Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans, as they followed that up with a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in London in Week 5. They have two full weeks of rest, though, to improve and prepare for their rematch against a beatable New England Patriots. Sure, the Patriots demolished New York back in Week 2, but Zach Wilson and company have been more cohesive since. With that said, let's now check out four bold predictions for the upcoming showdown between the Jets and the Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
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Jets Week 7 Predictions
4. Return of the Zach: Zach Wilson outplays Mac Jones
Wilson has some bitter taste in his mouth to get rid of. Well, there are many of them, as his rookie season has been tough, to say the least. But one he has an opportunity to atone for in Week 7 was the Week 2 performance he showed up with back in Week 2’s 25-6 loss to the New England Patriots at home. The Patriots’ defense prepared the red carpet to welcome Wilson into the AFC East and then rolled him in it.
Wilson couldn’t get anything going in that game, passing for just 210 yards with zero touchdowns on 19-of-33 completions. New England also picked him off a total of four times and sacked him just as many for a loss of 26 yards. It’s as though the Patriots’ defense wanted Wilson to get traumatized. This time around, Wilson will be readier. He should be better. Especially since he’s already tasted a win in the pros which was when the Jets beat the Tennessee Titans in Week 4. Wilson is out to prove why he’s selected in the 2021 NFL Draft way before Mac Jones.
3. Zero (INTs) for Zack
If you thought that Wilson’s spirits had sunk into the bottom of the ocean after his atrocious performance in the loss to the Patriots, then that’s not what we’re seeing from the rookie. Wilson is still full of confidence, which is exactly what head coach Robert Saleh wants to see. The former BYU Cougars quarterback even sounded like he thirsts for the day he faces the Patriots again, a chance he’ll get this Sunday.
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“Just like it was the first time we played them, everything’s a steppingstone,’’ Wilson said. “We’re building something here that’s going to be special for a long time. When it’s going to be super-special, we don’t know, but all we have to focus on is one step at a time, throwing those bricks down and getting better. I’m excited to play these guys again. I think it’s going to be a blast.”
The Patriots’ stop unit is tied for sixth in the NFL with six interceptions. Four of those, as mentioned earlier, came in the first meeting with the Jets. That defense remains a huge threat to Wilson, but Wilson, ironically, will have the first interception-less game of his pro career against the same team that has tortured him the hardest, thus far this season.
2. Jets get an interception
Speaking of interceptions, the Jets’ defense is the only one left after six weeks of football without a pick. Jones might feel a bit audacious with some of his throws. Despite their defense’s complete lack of interceptions to date, the Jets have the talent to pick off an unproven quarterback like Jones. Watch out for cornerback Bryce Hall, who leads the team with five passes defended and veteran safety Marcus Maye to make things happen downfield.
1. Jets beat Patriots for second win of the 2021 NFL season
The Jets are understandably the favorite for this game, considering the manner with which they blew up New York in Week 2. But also has the makings of a trap game. The Patriots are playing at home against a team they have already dominated before and one that's being led by a turnover-prone quarterback. The public clearly favors the Pats. But just when everyone thinks that this will be an easy game for the Pats, the Jets turn on the boosters and put together their best performance of the season to score a win in Foxborough. This is certainly a bold call since the Jets have won just once in their last 10 road games and are 2-10 against the spread during that stretch. Add to that that the fact that New York is just 3-17 straight-up in the last 20 games of this matchup when the Jets are the road team.
