Game: New England Patriots at New York Jets
Date & Time: Monday October 21st, 2019, 8:15 (EST)
Location: Metlife Field, East Rutherford, New Jersey
The Line: New England Patriots -9.5, O/U: 43
TV Channel: ESPN
NFL SEASON RECORD ATS: 24-14
In a David vs. Goliath type matchup, Nick Ballistreri gives his pick and thinks we may have a closer game than expected in this MNF game.
New England Patriots at New York Jets Preview
Coming into the 2019 season, the New York Jets were a trendy playoff pick in the AFC. With some key free-agency additions, and the continued development of QB Sam Darnold, it was easy to see a scenario in which the Jets make it in a weak AFC. Instead, disaster struck. Darnold was diagnosed with mononucleosis, and the optimism surrounding the team quickly disappeared with an 0-4 start.
With his team 0-4, and their season teetering on the brink of destruction, Darnold spun a gem last week in his return from injury against the Cowboys. He threw for 338 yards and 2 TDs, and looked calm, cool and composed while leading the Jets to a victory in a game where they were 8-point underdogs. Optimism is back once more in New York, but with the Patriots coming to town, they’re going to need their best effort once more.
The New England Patriots are once again, the class of the AFC East. They’ve got off to another scorching start, beginning the season 6-0 with a +142 point differential. They are a complete team in all phases, as their defense has been absolutely dominant to this point, scoring a touchdown seemingly every week to help the offense out.
To that point, the Patriots are coming off a 35-14 win against the Giants in which the Patriots defense and special teams both scored a touchdown. That game was closer than the final score would indicate, as the Patriots let the Giants stick around due to their inability to score points on offense.
The Patriots offensive struggles may be an issue in this one as well. Wide Receiver Josh Gordon, the most talented receiver on the team, has been ruled out with a knee injury, and fellow WR Philip Dorsett is questionable for this one.
New England Patriots at New York Jets Spread Prediction
The Patriots are 9.5 point road underdogs in this Monday Night game at Metlife. Before the Jets big win against the Cowboys, people were looking at the Jets as the laughingstock of the NFL, but a big win can change a team’s perception quickly. Not only is Sam Darnold a week healthier this week, but stud Linebacker CJ Mosley, one of the Jets prized free-agency additions, is back for this game. Mosley will help against the hard-nosed rushing attack of the Patriots.
The Patriots are going to win this game. However, I think it might be a little closer than many people expect. It may be recency bias, but I liked what I saw from Sam Darnold last week against Dallas. He looked like a future franchise QB, making the right reads across the field, converting 3rd downs, and keeping the chains moving. These things must continue if the Jets hope to stay in this game.
The issue I have with the Patriots is that their offense has not proven it can put a team away. The Patriots have been relying on their defense/special teams units to score points every week. The offense isn’t creating the big plays, as it is clearly missing Gronk, as well as Antonio Brown, and now, Josh Gordon.
I’m banking on the Patriots D not scoring today, as Sam Darnold will take care of the ball enough to keep this game relatively close. By leaning on Le’Veon Bell in the running came, and using a safe offensive scheme, the Jets will be in this game in the 4th Quarter. I’m taking the Patriots outright, but the Jets to cover this one at +9.5.
