New England Patriots Opponent Profile: Fitzpatrick Named Jets Starting Quarterback
By Danny Cox
The New England Patriots are playing like champs and will need to continue that level of play to secure the top spot in the AFC. While the Patriots have an ideal schedule going into the final stretch of the season, which includes two games against the Jets, they can't afford to overlook any opponent.
New York Jets Season Record: 3-7
The Jets' three wins on the season have come via the winless Cleveland Browns, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Buffalo Bills. Sure, two of those three were good victories, but the rest of the season has been loss. Earlier this season, they went through a four-game losing streak and are now in the middle of a two-game skid after losses to the Dolphins and Rams.
Jets On Offense
Head coach Todd Bowles weighed the possibility of starting second-year man Bryce Petty at quarterback over veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. Ultimately, he went with the vet. Fitzpatrick has not shown much of anything this season with 13 interceptions to just eight touchdown passes. Petty could be the future of the Jets' franchise, and if he is, he's going to need some game time experience. However, that experience will not come this week.
The Jets have talent on offense, such as Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall and Bilal Powell, but they lack the leadership to guide them. The Patriots should have a field day exposing their offensive weaknesses.
Jets On Defense
Defensively, the Jets are very good (aside from their secondary, which is one of the worst in the league) and have a lot to show for their effort, but the offense ends up losing most of the games for them. New York is 11th overall in the NFL in total defense and has done well in causing turnovers and getting after the ball. They have six interceptions and just two fumble recoveries, even though they have forced a whopping 14 fumbles on the season. If they could have secured a few more of those opportunities their turnover ratio would be much closer.
Second-year defensive end Leonard Williams leads the team with six sacks while a number of others have two or more on the season. Tom Brady will have to keep his eyes on cornerback Marcus Williams who has 30 total tackles on the season and leads the Jets with six passes defended, all while chalking up two interceptions. He sat out this weekend's loss to the Rams, but should be ready to go this week.
Jets Players To Watch: RB Bilal Powell and DE Muhammad Wilkerson
It was thought that the Jets would use more of a two-headed monster at running back this season with Matt Forte and Bilal Powell, but it has been the former being the primary back. However, Powell is still extremely dangerous and he's become more of a threat as a receiver coming out of the backfield. He has 36 receptions for 240 yards this season and will need to be watched carefully at all times by a linebacker acting as a spy.
He may be doing it with a quiet sense of achievement, but Muhammad Wilkerson is still producing for the Jets. The big defensive end's sacks are down, but he's quite a strong force to be reckoned with coming off the line. He was hampered by a sore foot last month, but appears to have healed up and could cause some problems for Brady and LeGarrette Blount.
Outlook
There is really no reason to think that the New England Patriots should have any trouble with the New York Jets this weekend or later in the season. The Jets' season is a lost one and they simply don't have the talent or leadership to keep up with Bill Belichick and the Pats. It should be a rather easy victory this week if the Patriots simply play their game.
