How experts view Sunday’s Patriots-Jets game

By Jordan Pagkalinawan

The New England Patriots face the New York Jets one week after a blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. After the loss, Head Coach Jerod Mayo had some choice words for his team. The last time these teams met was in week three, when New York defended its home turf with a dominant 24-3 victory.

While some experts have faith that the Pats can combat their losing ways, most are picking New York to sweep New England—a feat they haven’t accomplished in 24 years.

CBS Sports senior writer Paul Prisco went with the Jets in his week eight picks, adding, “The defense had major issues in that game, which is why Aaron Rodgers and the Jets offense can get right here against that unit. Look for the Jets to get a big performance from Rodgers and Breece Hall as they blow out New England.” His prediction? Jets 31, Patriots 14.

PhillyVoice staff writer Jimmy Kempski also selected the Jets despite Rodgers’ poor play.

“This is a matchup between the second-worst team in the NFL and a team led by a quarterback in Aaron Rodgers whose 2024 season is reminding me a bit of Tom Brady’s ‘Why the hell did I come back’ 2022 season,” Kempski wrote. “I guess the difference between Brady and Rodgers is that Brady was still kinda good that year, and Rodgers has kinda stunk this year.”

Boston.com’s Eric Wilbur, meanwhile, went with the home team, predicting a 26-20 victory for quarterback Drake Maye and comapny. His reasoning was simple: “…because it’s the Jets and little other reason than that.”

A New England bounceback isn’t the only factor to watch for on Sunday. WBZ’s Matt Geagan noted that Maye could make history, looking to become “the first rookie quarterback with at least 240 passing yards and at least two touchdown passes over their first three career starts.”

The Patriots and Jets face off at Gillette Stadium at 1:00 PM ET on CBS.