Patriots-Jets Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) – The CBSBoston sports team makes their predictions for the New England Patriots matchup with the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium.
Scott Zolak, 98.5 The Sports Hub
All the talk has been where the Jets are going to play Revis, whether it's on Wes Welker or not. In the past Rex would always have the bravado and say we're going to take Revis and we're going to take Moss and we're going to take him out of the game. If Revis is the number one corner, if he's such a badass, why don't you say you're going to put him on Welker? Why don't you say you're going to shut down Welker and make you beat us with Deion Branch, make you beat us with Rob Gronkowski? Maybe the Jets just aren't as deep or as tough as they have been in the past. Maybe the scheme doesn't permit that, maybe they don't believe in their safeties. If I'm Rex Ryan and I look at Wes Welker and I look at the production there I take my best cover-corner and I put him over him all day long.
If he beats me, then he beats me. Maybe you're just scared to get beat.
Gresh & Zo Whiteboard: Defending The Jets
Andy Gresh, 98.5 The Sports Hub
I think the Patriots roll this weekend because I just don't see the Jets being able to cash in in the red zone enough. Their run game isn't over powering and right now they don't have that third receiver in the passing game. The Patriots have to keep an eye on LT coming out of the backfield; he can be that third receiver. But, I think the Patriots get Aaron Hernadez back and that opens up the offense more. I also think they run for about 130 yards, as a team of course. They're going to focus running at the left side of the Jets defense which means the right side of the offensive line for the Pats, Brian Waters and Nate Solder, have got to do a good job. That goes for rookie Steven Ridley as well.
Patriots 17-14
Walt Perkins, WBZ NewsRadio 1030
A rivalry that goes back to the inaugural days of the AFL when they were the Boston Patriots and the New York Titans.
The rivalry is as competitive as ever. Few teams give Tom Brady and his offense as much angst as the Jets, especially since Rex Ryan became the head coach of the J-e-t-s, blah, blah, blah.
The fact that Ryan hits town with a team that has lost two straight on the road is somewhat concerning. They will be the more desperate team on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. They will pull out all the stops.
Given that the New England defense remains susceptible to both the run and the pass does not bode well for the Flying Elvi. Of course, I thought the same last week and the Oakland Raiders only scored 19 points, despite adding nicely to their 'yards gained' total for the season.
Read: 4 Pats Doubtful, Hernandez Questionable
Pluses for New England include the return to practice of several key players. On offense, tight end Aaron Hernandez had limited participation. He is listed (as of Friday) as Questionable, meaning there is a 50/50 chance he'll play.
On defense, linemen Albert Haynesworth (back) and Mike Wright (concussion) also returned to practice. They are also listed as Questionable. Their return would help a defense that lost its leader in the second quarter last Sunday in the Bay Area. Linebacker Jerod Mayo will watch the game from the sidelines with his strained left MCL.
The question is whether the Jets defense can shut down the Patriots offense. If Hernandez returns, that would be a tall order for Ryan's troops.
It is hard to imagine a Rex Ryan team losing three in-a-row, but that's what I see.
Patriots 34, Jets 27
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV
This is the week the Patriots need to separate themselves. I don't want to call it a must-win for the Jets, but losing three straight in the conference can be devastating in the end, so the Jets need this game.
I know the Patriots want to forget what happened to them in January, but they won't. The offensive line needs to protect Brady, because Rex will fire everything at him.
Read: Patriots-Jets Preview
Last week I said I wanted to watch Stevan Ridley run wild, this week I want to see even more. He has great vision and he can become a touchdown waiting to happen.
This is Week 5, and the defense needs to start coming together. There is no better team to do it against than the Jets. When Mark Sanchez leaves the field, the last thing he should remember is that the Patriots do in fact have a pass-rush.
Yes, Jerod Mayo will be missing, which is a huge loss. But it's time for everyone else to step up and get going.
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV
I think we will see a lot of what we saw in last season's 28-21 Jets play-off win in Foxboro. The Jets will try to get back to their ground and pound running game while letting Mark Sanchez make the safe passes. I think the Pats will do a good job with Wilfork, Haynesworth, and company on the line. The key though may be Dane Fletcher and Gary Guyton filling in at LB for the injured Jerod Mayo.
I think Tom Brady will pull out some big plays to slow down the pass rush. Look for wide receiver screens to Welker, plus screens to Stevan Ridley and/or Danny Woodhead if he plays. I also see branch and Gronkowski A's keys. Once they get the lead the Pats will try to run the football as well.
I think the Pats win and keep the reeling Jets down....for now.
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV
It would be easy to say that I expect the Pats to win but this is the Jets and lately they have given the Patriots fits. For all the crazy talk that Rex Ryan brings to the table, he is a great coach and his schemes have confused Tom Brady. This is why I expect the Pats to run the ball. Last week they were balanced, 30 runs and 30 passes. This week I expect the same. The Pats can't expect Tom to carry them in this game. In the past Rex has done a good job and frustrated Tom.
Read: Levan Reid's Patriots Blog
Also, I know every week we say is Chad Ochocinco's week, but this week it really is. The Jets are going to take away the middle of the field and Wes Welker. Chad is one of the few Patriot offensive skill players that can get to the perimeter. I think he will have more than one catch this week and maybe a touchdown.
Don't get caught up in the defensive yard numbers just yet. The Pats are going to let up 400 plus yards. For now pay attention to the score and in the end the Pats should have the big number. Pats win...
Tune in to the Patriots-Jets game Sunday at 4:15 pm on 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ-TV. Tune in to Patriots Gameday at 11:30am on WBZ-TV and The Sports Hub's pregame coverage, beginning at 1:00 pm. After the game tune in to the Postgame show on 98.5, and to Patriots Fifth Quarter on MY TV38
