The New York Jets will hope to add a win to their 2024 record in Week 3. The team will host the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Thursday.
As usual, it will never be a walk in the park in the NFL. If the Jets (1-1) expect to beat the Pats (1-1), there will be a few key things New York will have to focus on against New England.
It will have to be a full-team effort, make no mistake. But these factors could weigh heavy on whether or not New York grab a win or loss at home.
Here are three keys to the Jets pulling out a victory against the Patriots:
Keep stepping up
The Jets are likely to have multiple players on defense missing in their home opener. Pass rusher Jermaine Johnson (Achilles) is out. Linebacker CJ Mosley (toe) is listed as questionable. Cornerbacks Michael Carter II (ankle) and DJ Reed (knee) will play but are not going to be 100 percent and others could rotate in.
Head coach Robert Saleh has to put his players in the best positions to make sure the defense doesn’t miss a beat. Specifically, the Jets need to slow down Patriots rushers Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson.
Give Aaron time
The Jets had one of their best offensive line performances in a long time against the Tennessee Titans during their 24-17 win last week. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers does not look like his Hall of Fame resume as of now, but if you give him time, he can clearly get the ball in the right places.
Establish the run
The story of the 2024 Jets through two games are running backs Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. Both of them performed well in their own right–And link this to the key above is factual as well.
If Hall and Allen keep rolling (the offensive line must continue to help here), it will keep the Patriots defense on their toes. That will allow Rodgers to get to ball out to the likes of Garrett Wilson & Co. at the playmaker positions. The Patriots won’t stand much of a chance if this happens.
