New York Jets: Predicting the win-loss record, part III
Week Twelve: vs. New England Patriots
The bye week for the Jets is in week 11. They get to rest up and recharge because in week 12, it’s here. It’s the first of the two weeks we look to every single season. It’s the annual barometer game where the Jets get to see how far they have progressed. Can they stay with the big guys, or the evil empire? Yes fans, it’s Patriots week. It may not get the same hype it did under Rex Ryan but it is still big.
At home the Jets have matched up well with the Patriots. They have kept each game at home since 2012 to a difference of under a touchdown. You have to go back to November of 2012 for a blowout win by the Pats in New Jersey. Both the Ryan regime and now the Todd Bowles regime has the ability to scheme against this team and give them some fits. Tom Brady never spends four comfortable quarters against the Jets in New Jersey and he won’t start in this one.
However, it’s the first dip into the water of this rivalry for the young Mr. Darnold. This will not be anything like he has ever seen before, despite the fact that he endured the UCLA rivalry. It will be different. Bill Belichick eats young quarterbacks for breakfast. He will be so confused by the defenses that he sees he will have a tough time. Brady and the offense will take the game over and the Patriots will notch yet another win.