Jets vs. Patriots Week 3 prediction: Thursday Night Football odds, picks
After a rocky season opener against San Francisco, the Jets bounced back in Week 2, beating Tennessee by a touchdown in Nashville.Now they head home to host the Patriots, who have had a surprisingly solid start to the season.It’s a showdown on Thursday Night Football between two 1-1 AFC East teams still trying to find their identities.What can we expect from this divisional bout? Can the Aaron Rodgers-led Jets beat New England at home for the first time in nearly a decade?Here are our best bets for the spread and point total:The line opened up with the Jets as seven-point favorites, but quickly went to 6.5, where it has settled in at most sportsbooks.The Jets have a 1-1 record against the spread through the first two games, while New England is 1-0-1.Even though it would seem the Jets should crush New England in this matchup, the Patriots have been resilient and physical with a run-heavy offense through the first two weeks under new coach Jerod Mayo.Additionally, the Jets’ defense, which was projected as a top unit heading into the season, has underperformed and is already banged up with several players showing up on the injury report. They will be without pass rushers Jermaine Johnson (torn Achilles) and Haason Reddick (contract dispute), while cornerback D.J.
Reed (knee) and MLB C.J.Mosley (toe) are questionable to play.
Even nickel Michael Carter II is on a pitch count and likely will be for the rest of the season with a nagging ankle injury.The pile-up of injuries and the Reddick contract dispute make the Jets frontline extremely susceptible to the run.They have given up 310 yards on the ground — ninth-most in the league after two weeks.However, the Pats, who have been fantastic running the football, will be missing LT Vederian Lowe and LG Sidy Sow, while C David Andrews and RT Mike Onwenu are listed as questionable.Due to already existing issues in protecting the pass, the laundry list of injuries to their offensive line and obvious skill-position wea...