EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Robert Saleh was an assistant in Jacksonville the earlier time the New York Jets defeated the New England Patriots. Zach Wilson was a sophomore in highschool.
Not one of the different gamers on the Jets’ present roster had been there to witness that uncommon victory, both.
It got here on Dec. 27, 2015, when Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a 6-yard landing cross to Eric Decker to win it 26-20 in additional time for then-coach Todd Bowles’ squad.
Yep, it definitely has been some time.
Invoice Belichick’s bunch has rattled off 14 consecutive victories over the AFC East-rival Jets, a streak the Patriots (0-2) convey to MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
“It’s time that issues change round right here,” second-year vast receiver Garrett Wilson mentioned on ESPN New York’s “Bart & Hahn” present this week. “I don’t like speaking about it an excessive amount of, however this is among the first steps. Fourteen straight is unacceptable. That’s unacceptable. I’m 0-2 in opposition to them.
“That’s unacceptable.”
It’s additionally a hunch the Jets (1-1) are aiming to cease, and never a lot simply because it’s the Patriots. However as a result of it could put them again on the successful observe after an unpleasant loss in Dallas — and make them 2-0 within the division after an opening-week win over Buffalo.
“We’ve received to deal with the second,” mentioned Saleh, who’s 0-4 in opposition to the Patriots as coach of the Jets. “I get what occurred previously, however trying on the previous and dwelling on the previous and what might have been is simply taking away from what we are able to do now.”
Zach Wilson will make his second begin instead of the injured Aaron Rodgers, who had surgical procedure final week to restore a torn left Achilles tendon. The Patriots have been significantly tough on Wilson, who has two touchdowns, seven interceptions and a passer score of fifty.6 whereas finishing simply 50.9% of his passes in 4 video games in opposition to them.
“I get it, we acknowledge it,” Saleh mentioned, “however on the identical time, it doesn’t outline this group in the present day, with the group that we’ve, the 2023 Jets.”
In the meantime, the Patriots are 0-2 for the primary time since 2001 — Belichick’s second 12 months with the franchise. That group, with the emergence of Tom Brady, went on to win the Tremendous Bowl.
New England is seeking to keep away from its first 0-3 begin since Belichick’s first season, when the Patriots opened 0-4 and completed 5-11.
“We’ve received 15 extra video games to play,” tight finish Hunter Henry mentioned. “We’ve received a sport this weekend. It’s one other alternative. It’s a divisional opponent. It’s an excellent opponent. On the highway. It’ll be us form of in opposition to all people entering into there. So, I feel it’ll be an excellent problem.”
AFC BEAST?
Regardless of the deflating lack of Rodgers within the opener and a tough defeat in Dallas final week, the Jets have an opportunity to really feel fairly good about issues if they will beat the Patriots.
Not solely wouldn’t it snap that ugly skid, New York would enhance to 2-0 within the AFC East for the primary time since 2012.
“It’s enormous,” defensive lineman Solomon Thomas mentioned. “Beginning the 12 months off 2-0 within the division and beginning the 12 months off 2-1 (total), that’s a giant momentum shift. And that’s a giant, huge, huge constructing block for us.”
NO LOVE LOST
Over eight seasons, Patriots middle and captain David Andrews has performed in sufficient video games in opposition to the Jets in his profession — he’s 15-1 in these matchups — to know there isn’t plenty of love between the 2 division rivals.
“I’ve by no means actually gone on the market and competed with a man for 60 minutes and been like, ‘Wow, he actually likes me,’” Andrews mentioned. “Particularly up entrance. You’re making an attempt to cease them from attending to the quarterback they usually’re making an attempt to get to your quarterback. … It’s a bodily sport. A troublesome sport. I’ve by no means actually got here away and hoped any person favored me on the finish of the day.”
MISSING RUN GAME
The Patriots have been largely one-dimensional on offense of their first two video games.
They’re averaging simply 82 yards per sport on the bottom — rating twenty seventh within the NFL — as in comparison with 335 yards by way of the air.
Whereas having to play from behind has definitely been an element, the disparity in play choice is stark. Of 143 whole offensive performs, New England’s cross to run distribution is 67% (66 makes an attempt) to 33% (47 makes an attempt).
It’s a discrepancy operating again Rhamondre Stevenson acknowledged, however mentioned there’s extra they will do with the carries they’ve been getting to this point.
“It’s early within the season and we’ve received to get some issues ironed out,” mentioned Stevenson, who leads the group with 27 carries for simply 75 yards and a TD. “Not irritating, however simply places one thing in your thoughts the day after the sport or one thing like that of what we have to do to get it again going.”
THIRD-AND-WRONG
The Jets enter the sport ranked twenty ninth in total offense and one of many greatest culprits has been their struggles on third down.
New York went 1 for 10 in opposition to Dallas in these conditions, main to an enormous disparity in time of possession: 42:15 for the Cowboys in comparison with the Jets’ 17:45.
For the season, the Jets are 6 for 23 on third down, a 26.1% conversion price that ranks them thirty first within the NFL, forward of solely Jacksonville (25%).
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AP Sports activities Author Kyle Hightower in Foxborough, Massachusetts, contributed.
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