Patriots (6-0) at Jets (1-4)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV: ESPN
Danny Sheridan’s line: by 91⁄2
Patriots’ keys to victory: They had no trouble dismantling the Jets at home when the two teams met Week 3 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, but Gang Green didn’t exactly have a capable quarterback that day. Now that New York QB Sam Darnold is back from mononucleosis and the Luke Falk era is over, the Patriots might have to play some defense this time. That said, the Jets are thin at cornerback, which means QB Tom Brady should have another big game throwing to the likes of WRs Josh Gordon and Julian Edelman. The two combined for 13 catches, 145 yards and one touchdown in the first matchup.
Jets’ keys to victory: Even with QB Sam Darnold back, the Jets don’t have an offense that can keep up with the Patriots. That means the Jets are going to have to be creative, score early and play lockdown defense, but none of those things has happened with any sort of consistency for New York this season. A large part of that – the offensive elements, anyway – had to do with Darnold’s absence, but coach Adam Gase needs to open things up a little more for his offense.
Matchup to watch: Patriots coach Bill Belichick vs. Jets coach Adam Gase. It’s hard for any coach to outwit Belichick, but Gase needs to at least hold his own. Again, that comes back to an aggressive approach that needs to be reflected in Gase’s play-calling.
Who wins? Even if the Jets play well, it’s hard to see them pulling off a win against this Patriots team. The talent gap is too wide.
Patriots, 27-14 Patriots
Patriots schedule
W ....... Pittsburgh ....... 33-3 W ......... at Miami ......... 43-0 W ........ N.Y. Jets ........ 30-14 W ....... at Buffalo ....... 16-10 W...atWashington...33-7 W ...... N.Y. Giants ...... 35-14 Oct. 21 .. at N.Y. Jets .. 8:15 Oct. 27 ... Cleveland ... 4:25 Nov. 3 .. at Baltimore .. 8:20 Nov. 10 ............. BYE ............. Nov. 17 at Philadelphia 4:25 Nov.24 ...... Dallas ...... 4:25 Dec. 1 ... at Houston ... 8:20 Dec.8 ..KansasCity ..4:25 Dec.15...atCincinnati...1 Dec. 21 or 22 Buffalo TBD Dec. 29 ......... Miami ......... 1
Jets schedule
L L L .......... Buffalo .......... 17-16 ........ Cleveland ........ 23-3 .. at New England .. 30-14
BYE
L .... at Philadelphia .... 31-6 W .......... Dallas .......... 24-22 Oct. 21 New England 8:15 Oct. 27 . at Jacksonville . 1 Nov. 3 ........ at Miami ........ 1 Nov. 10 ..... N.Y. Giants ..... 1 Nov. 17 . at Washington . 1 Nov. 24 ....... Oakland ....... 1 Dec. 1 .... at Cincinnati .... 1 Dec.8 .......... Miami .......... 1 Dec. 12 at Baltimore 8:20 Dec. 22 ..... Pittsburgh ..... 1 Dec. 29 ..... at Buffalo ..... 1