The New York Jets host the New England Patriots in a Week 2 matchup on Sunday afternoon, September 19 at 1:00 PM.
This game has taken on its own catchy headline.
It is called the Mac vs. Zach game.
Zach Wilson talked about facing off against Bill Belichick's Patriots defense and clashing with "cool dude" Mac Jones.
"It's going to be a good challenge for us." @GeoffJMags 📲 https://t.co/HxTk4sduqt pic.twitter.com/xQ8lMIxZ1F
— Jets X-Factor (@jetsxfactor) September 17, 2021
Both the Jets and Patriots lost their season openers so they come into this game with matching 0-1 records.
The Patriots fell to the Dolphins.
Sam Darnold‘s new team, the Carolina Panthers, dealt his old team, the Jets, their Week 1 loss.
Ask anyone who he or she thinks will win this game, and the answer is usually the Patriots.
The answer could be for no other reason than that Bill Belichick will not let his team drop to 0-2 particularly with a challenging Week 3 game against the New Orleans Saints on the docket.
Using the theme of “Any Given Sunday”, anything can happen, and the Jets can pull out a win.
Here is the blueprint of why and how the Jets can win their home opener on Sunday.
3. Right Tackle Trent Brown Is Out
Patriots RT Trent Brown has been downgraded to Out for tomorrow’s game against the Jets.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 18, 2021
Right tackle Trent Brown was injured on the Patriots opening drive against the Dolphins.
The calf injury prevented him from practicing all week, and he was officially declared out of the game.
Brown was on the 2018 Super Bowl Championship team and was named to the Pro Bowl following the 2019 season.
Of course, Belichick will have a replacement ready to go, but those are tough shoes to fill.
2. Win The Turnover Battle
This is true in any NFL game.
The Patriots lost the ball via fumbles two times last week; whereas, the Dolphins only committed one turnover.
Running back Damien Harris‘ fourth-quarter fumble was costly as it allowed the Dolphins to get the ball back and grind the clock on their way to a 17-16 win.
Turnovers & penalties cause Patriots to fall short in Week 1.@Imtamarabrown breaks down the season opener. pic.twitter.com/aExdj0QvJR
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 13, 2021
If the Jets force turnovers and capitalize on them, they can secure the win.
1. Win The Battle Of The Quarterbacks
2021 NFL week2, Patriots vs NYJ. Patriots are coming off a 1pt 17-16 L to MIA, NYJ a 5pt L to CAR. Mac Jones vs Zach Wilson! 2 ‘21 RD1 rookies, head to head! Corey Davis should be the main focus for the Patriots while on D. NYJ on D? RB Damien Harris #NFL #Patriots #NYJets
— Ray Juray III (@rjuray3) September 15, 2021
Like it or not, Jones and Wilson will be compared against each other as they face off in this head-to-head matchup.
Who impressed you most?
🔘 Justin Fields, Bears
Grade: Incomplete🔘 Trey Lance, Niners
Grade: Incomplete🔘 Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
Grade: B-🔘 Zach Wilson, Jets
Grade: B-🔘 Mac Jones, Patriots
Grade: A- pic.twitter.com/m7uuIgP9Eh— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 13, 2021
The Jets do not have a viable running game so the game is on Wilson’s arm.
Corey Davis is the offensive weapon for Wilson.
Jones has Damien Harris in the backfield.
Whoever manages the game best with the least amount of mistakes should come out the winner.
Conclusion
This blueprint is easier said than done for the Jets especially against Belichick’s Patriots.
The other outlier which reared its ugly head last week in several games is special teams.
Greg Zuerlein missed kicks that cost the Cowboys the win over the Buccaneers.
Jamie Gillan had a disastrous botched punt that gave the Chiefs the ball in Browns territory.
The Steelers blocked a Bills punt to score and secure a win.
This Steel City special teams is … special 😏
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/BC9D77Wg7r
— Gaming Society (@GamingSociety) September 12, 2021
In all cases, the teams who made the special team mistakes lost their games.
Clean and consistent play in all facets of the game, offense, defense, and special teams, will determine the winner between the Jets and Patriots.
NEXT: Zach Wilson And Robert Saleh Can Become True Jets Legends