Jets and Patriots Week 11
Bill Belichick doesn’t make many gaffes. Not many guys with three Super Bowl rings do. Belichick’s stone wall demeanor couldn’t shake off the embarrassment the football world knows he felt after Patriots didn’t convert on fourth-and-two on their own 28 yard line against the Colts last Sunday night. What will make Belichick feel better and less embarrassed? Scoring 50 on the Jets.
Gang Green limps into Foxboro at the worst time. Not only have they lost five of their last six games, but Belichick’s blunder gives New England extra motivation to beat the Jets. The Patriots and Jets never need any extra motivation when they tangle but this is different. What would the Patriots look like if after Belichick’s flub against the Colts, they lost to the reeling Jets? It could be the worst back-to-back losses in franchise history.
I’m not a betting man but the Patriots are going to cover the 10.5 point spread and Belichick is going to try to win by the spread twice over. This isn’t the same Jets team that beat the Pats in week two, nor is it the same Pats team. The Jets were riding high after an opening day win over the Texans, who were picked by many to beat the Jets and be a playoff contender. Health wasn’t a concern early in the season like it is now. Rex Ryan’s crew is playing without Pro Bowlers Kris Jenkins and Leon Washington, both of whom have been out with season-ending injuries. Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez isn’t the same guy either. His confidence has shrunk smaller than the Jets playoff chances. On the other hand, the Patriots didn’t have receiver Wes Welker in their week two loss to the Jets and in their week one win, they had to drive down the field late in the fourth quarter to beat the Bills. I repeat… to beat the BILLS. At least the Patriots can say they beat the Bills this season and their quarterback didn’t throw five interceptions in a disaster of a game against them. That’s something the Jets can’t say.
Even if the Jets can beat the Patriots and come to within one game of the division lead, they still have six games left and six chances for another letdown. For the second straight season the Patriots looked beatable and the division was wide open. For the second straight season the Jets will be on the outside looking in.
Post By Rich Santonocito
Tags: Bill Bellichick, Kris Jenkins, Leon Washington, Mark Sanchez
