The New York Jets and the New England Patriots meet in week 18 NFL action from Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Who finishes the year on a high note in a battle between AFC East cellar dwellers? Let’s dive in and find out with our Jets vs. Patriots Prediction.
New York Jets Team Preview
The New York Jets will look to rebound after falling to 6-10 on the year after a 37-20 loss to Cleveland last time out. Zach Wilson has thrown for 2,271 yards, 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions on 60.1% passing while Breece Hall has rushed for 816 yards and 4 scores. Garrett Wilson leads New York’s receivers with 93 grabs for 1,008 yards and 3 TDs while Ty Conklin has 605 receiving yards and Breece Hall has 579 receiving yards with 4 TDs. On defense, C.J. Mosley leads the Jets with 144 total tackles while Bryce Huff has a team-high 8 sacks. Quinton Jefferson has 6 sacks and Solomon Thomas has 5 sacks as well while Jordan Whitehead has 4 interceptions this season.
New York Jets Team Facts
- The Jets have lost each of their last 12 games at Gillette Stadium.
- The Jets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven road games in January.
- The favorites have won the first half in 15 of the Jets’ last 16 games.
- The Jets have lost the first quarter in each of their last five games against AFC East opponents.
- Each of the Jets’ last seven road games played on the East Coast have gone UNDER the total points line.
New England Patriots Team Preview
The New England Patriots are just waiting for the season to end, entering this game at 4-12 on the year with a 27-21 loss to Buffalo last time out. Mac Jones has thrown for 2,120 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on 64.9% passing while Bailey Zappe has thrown for 1,184 yards, 6 touchdowns and 7 INTs on 63.2% passing. Rhamondre Stevenson has 619 rushing yards with 4 TDs and Ezekiel Elliott has 588 rushing yards and 3 scores. Demario Douglas leads the Patriots with 548 receiving yards while Kendrick Bourne has 406 receiving yards with 4 touchdowns. Hunter Henry has 419 receiving yards with 6 TDs and another five Patriots have 200+ receiving yards. On defense, Jahlani Tavai and Ja’Whaun Bentley each have a team-high 104 total tackles while Christian Barmore has a team-high 8.5 sacks this season.
New England Patriots Team Facts
- The Patriots have won each of their last 15 games against the Jets.
- The Patriots have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six Sunday games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Patriots have lost the first quarter in five of their last six games as home favorites following a road loss.
- The Patriots have lost the first half in each of their last six Sunday games.
- The Patriots have scored the first touchdown in each of their last seven home games against the Jets.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Patriots rank 32nd in the NFL in points per game this season (14.6).
- The Patriots rank 1st in the NFL in average kickoff return (27.3 yards) this season.
- The Jets rank 1st in the NFL in total punt yards this season (4509).
- The Jets rank 32nd in the NFL in 3rd down percentage this season (26.4%).
Jets vs. Patriots Prediction
I’m on the under here. Two bad teams with two bad offenses that are simply playing out the string and two that I want no part of. This could easily be 13-10 if we even get to that point with these two and the defense is the best group on the feed on both sidelines in this game. Give me the under in this one.