JETS at PATRIOTS
8:15 p.m., Pats by 11 ½, 43
HANK’S HONEYS: The Patriots are for real. Drake Maye is among the best quarterbacks in the NFL. But are they laying too many points for a primetime game against a divisional rival as they look for an eighth straight SU win? The Jets seemingly had given up on the season by trading away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams but played inspired football to beat the Browns. They’ve remained within one score in five of their seven losses and are in the midst of their best stretch football this season. Nevertheless, had it not been for two returns for TDs, the Browns would have covered in an ugly game. The Jets’ offense couldn’t do much against a talented Cleveland defense. The Patriots have been solid on D, except for allowing chunk plays downfield. Justin Fields hasn’t shown the ability to exploit that and with Garrett Wilson down, who’s going to get open?
The Patriots have been pressuring QBs at the fourth-best rate in the league and Fields is lousy when pressured. Breece Hall had some nice runs against the Brownies but he’s not going to lead a one-dimensional attack against the No. 1 rushing defense in the league at 79.2 yards per game. On the other side of the ball, quite simply, they’re not facing Dillon Gabriel this week. There is a slight chance the Pats will take the Jets lightly as they come off a statement win over the Bucs. However, with the Bengals on deck next week, they won’t be caught looking ahead. It’s the first meeting of the teams this season with the Pats having SU wins in 15 of the last 16 clashes in Foxboro. Mike Vrabel’s old school approach has always served him well in potential flat spots.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Patriots and the over.
