Jets can change everything by getting Patriots ‘homecoming’ revenge

DENVER — The Jets received their fourth straight recreation on Sunday, defeating the Broncos 16-9 in a recreation dominated by protection. Listed below are some ideas and observations from the sport:

1. The win Sunday units up the following two weeks for the Jets. They now have two house video games towards the Patriots and Payments earlier than the bye week. If I'd have informed you in August the Jets might be 5-4 on the bye, you'd have signed up for it. However now they really feel able to a lot extra and these are two big video games.

The Patriots are up first and these clearly usually are not the Patriots of outdated, however Invoice Belichick remains to be there they usually have been enjoying higher (getting into Monday’s recreation towards the Bears). However right here’s the factor about this recreation: the low level of final season was the 54-13 butt-kicking the Patriots laid on the Jets in Foxborough. At halftime of that recreation, Patriots nice Richard Seymour was honored and he referred to the Jets because the “homecoming” recreation. It summed up the state of the Jets at the moment and coach Robert Saleh seemed shell-shocked after that recreation.

Patriots great Richard Seymour speaks at halftime during the team's game against the Jets on Oct. 24, 2021.
Patriots nice Richard Seymour speaks at halftime through the crew’s recreation towards the Jets on Oct. 24, 2021.
AP
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones celebrates a touchdown against the Jets on Oct. 24, 2021.
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones celebrates a landing towards the Jets on Oct. 24, 2021.
Getty Pictures

The Jets haven't forgotten that recreation, and you'll wager it will likely be mentioned this week.

“We’ve bought a great reminiscence,” defensive sort out Sheldon Rankins mentioned after Sunday’s recreation. “It wasn’t that way back. We’re conscious of it. On the finish of the day, they’re the following crew on the schedule. It’s a division crew. Nothing can be better than beginning off 2-0 within the division.”

I used to be requested quite a bit within the offseason what a profitable season would appear to be for the Jets. One of many issues I mentioned and wrote is they will not be the homecoming opponent, referencing that recreation. The Jets have clearly achieved that. They're a tricky crew to play now and are enjoying nice protection. The following step on this season is to slay the Patriots dragon. New England has owned the Jets for years. The Patriots have received the final 12 video games towards the Jets, courting again to 2016. A win over the Patriots can be big for this crew.

Jets quarterback Zach Wilson runs with the ball against the Broncos on Oct. 23, 2022.
Jets quarterback Zach Wilson runs with the ball towards the Broncos on Oct. 23, 2022.
Getty Pictures

After which it will likely be all in regards to the Payments, which we’ll hit on just a little bit decrease.

2. The happiness over the win in Denver was clearly muted postgame by the damage information round rookie operating again Breece Corridor, who's believed to have a torn ACL. It is a crushing blow for the Jets any means you slice it. Corridor has been the most effective participant on offense and possibly the most effective participant on the crew. The offense was operating by means of him.

Now, what do the Jets do?

I feel they stick to what they've. Michael Carter has plenty of expertise and he confirmed that final season. He is an efficient runner and receiver. Ty Johnson generally is a speedy sub for him. They don’t have anybody as explosive as Corridor, however neither do most groups. They'll convey rookie Zonovan “Bam” Knight up off the observe squad to be the third again. Knight had some actually good moments in coaching camp. He was a participant who constantly made performs in coaching camp and made you say, “who's that?”

The Jets might want to depend on all three to mix for Corridor’s manufacturing.

Jets running back Zonovan Knight (35) runs the ball during a preseason game against the Giants on Aug. 28, 2022.
Jets operating again Zonovan Knight (35) runs the ball throughout a preseason recreation towards the Giants on Aug. 28, 2022.
Invoice Kostroun

There will probably be requires common supervisor Joe Douglas to commerce for a operating again, however I'd be hesitant to ship away draft picks for a rental operating again. I suppose if it was a sixth- or seventh-round choose, you’d have to contemplate it, however I'd watch out.

One other route Douglas can take is raiding another person’s observe squad for a operating again, however I'd give Knight a shot first. If the coaches don’t really feel he’s prepared, then possibly you begin wanting across the league at gamers on observe squads.

3. The Jets protection is legit and has solely given up 19 complete factors within the final two video games. It's arduous to determine a weak spot on the protection proper now. The line of defense has been dominant. The linebackers are all around the subject delivering massive tackles. The cornerbacks have been unimaginable to throw on. The safeties are additionally making performs.

Right here’s the factor, although. They've achieved it towards some struggling offenses. The Steelers, Dolphins, Packers and Broncos have been all scuffling once they performed the Jets. Pittsburgh switched quarterbacks at halftime. The Dolphins had their third-string quarterback. The Packers look misplaced, even with Aaron Rodgers. The Broncos had a backup quarterback enjoying Sunday.

That's not to remove from the Jets’ wins. You play who's on the schedule within the NFL and wacky issues occur (P.J. Walker beat the Buccaneers on Sunday).

However after we are speaking about how good this protection is, we have to see them get a real take a look at. That is available in two weeks when the Payments come to MetLife Stadium. Josh Allen and Co. are the most effective offense within the NFL. If the Jets protection shuts them down, now we begin speaking about whether or not the Jets protection is without doubt one of the finest within the NFL.

4. One of many massive sidebars of the week goes to be what occurs subsequent with disgruntled broad receiver Elijah Moore. Moore was in New Jersey watching the Jets play in Denver. The Jets have made it clear they don't plan on honoring his commerce request, so how do they now get him again within the fold?

Saleh and Douglas want to take a seat down with Moore on Monday and work by means of his points with the crew. They might be with out Corey Davis for a bit after Davis injured his knee on Sunday. There are going to be targets for Moore arising. It's important to hope Moore has cooled off over the previous few days and realizes there are 10 video games left within the season. If the Jets passing offense will get rolling, he’ll be a giant a part of that. Moore additionally wants to understand that not one of the Jets receivers are having massive video games proper now as a result of the passing recreation is scuffling. With Corridor gone and Davis probably lacking time, Saleh must discover a approach to get Moore again within the fold.

Revealing stat

The Jets have received three straight video games with out throwing a landing move.

Shocking snap depend

Kwon Alexander performed 51 snaps (65 p.c), which was greater than Quincy Williams, who performed 41. It's important to marvel if Williams’ ankle was bothering him.

Sport ball

Sauce Gardner is the actual deal. He was all around the subject Sunday and made an enormous move breakup on fourth down within the fourth quarter. He had three move breakups within the recreation and led the crew with 10 tackles. Gardner is making his case to be the Defensive Rookie of the 12 months.

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