Last Updated on September 19, 2010 5:59 pm by drew
Patriots at Jets Pick
The big matchup at 4 o’clock in the NFL this week pits AFC East Division rivals against each other when the New York Jets host the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Patriots 2.5-point favorites over the Jets in Week 2. The over/under for this game has been set at 38.5 points.
Patriots Win If:
Tom Brady and Randy Moss challenge Darrelle Revis and the rest of the Jets’ secondary. Defensively, the key to New England winning is pretty easy: stop the run and force Mark Sanchez to make plays in the passing game. But offensively things get a little trickier seeing as how good New York’s defense is. That said, the Patriots have more than enough weapons to challenge the Jets in the passing game. From Moss to Wes Welker to a couple of skilled pass-catchers at tight end in Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, New England is loaded. Brady can’t be afraid to take shots down the field and Bill Belichick can’t be afraid to get away from his beloved wide receiver screens if the Jets have them bottled up. This game will be won or loss for the Patriots when their offense is on the field.
Jets Win If:
Sanchez can make one freaking play in the passing game. The Ravens held the Jets’ rushing attack in check last week and forced the Jets’ second-year quarterback to throw vertically, which he didn’t. He continuously used the checkdown to try and move the ball through the air, but it didn’t work. If the Patriots beg the Jets to throw it vertically, Sanchez has to take more shots. Braylon Edwards and Jerrico Cotchery aren’t the best deep threats, but they’re more than capable of making a play if given the opportunity. Sanchez never even gave them a shot last week and the result was a 10-9 loss for New York. The Jets defense won’t be able to keep Brady and the Pats contained the entire game – not on short rest and with poor field position. So it’s up to Sanchez to start earning his paycheck.
Prediction:
Oddsmakers say that there are no trap games, but this sure seems like one. The Jets were brutal on Monday night and the Patriots crushed the Bengals in one of the more lopsided games of Week 1. Aside from the fact that New England lost last week in New York, why would anyone take the Jets only get 2.5 points in this game? Because they’re at home? No way. That said, the Jets are the play here. You know Rex Ryan is going to have this team prepared after the loss to the Ravens and the Jets have had this game circled on their calendar since the schedule was released. The ground game should get back on track this week for the Jets and that should open things up a little for Sanchez in the passing game. Jets win outright.
2010 NFL Week 2 Free Pick: NEW YORK JETS +2.5
BONUS: OVER 38.5