Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 24th at 1:00 PM ET
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Betting Odds: NE-7, 42.5 Total on Vegas Insider
Network: CBS
New York Jets
QUARTERBACK
Zach Wilson (Sit)
The last time Zach Wilson faced the Patriots, he threw four interceptions and had 6.3 fantasy points. That’s less than ideal, to say the least. In fact, it’s been quite the roller-coaster season for Wilson:
- Week 1: 17.3 Fantasy Points
- Week 2: 6.3 Fantasy Points
- Week 3: 4.6 Fantasy Points
- Week 4: 19 Fantasy Points
- Week 5: 7 Fantasy Points
Which version of Wilson will we see here? I’d lean towards the latter, and, regardless, the potential upside is definitely not worth the risk.
RUNNING BACKS
Michael Carter (Start, FLEX), Ty Johnson (Sit), Tevin Coleman (Sit)
In a week where six teams are on a bye, Michael Carter is someone who you should definitely consider starting as a FLEX, if not a low-end “RB2”. The rookie running back has gotten 28 combined carries and targets over his past two games, and is certainly emerging as the lead back of this offense. Even with the low game total, he should accumulate enough combined yardage to be a viable starter in such a shallow week for running backs.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Corey Davis (Start, FLEX), Jamison Crowder (Sit), Elijah Moore (Sit), Keelan Cole (Sit), Braxton Berrios (Sit) Ryan Griffin (Sit)
Although he did only score 1.8 PPR points against the Patriots in Week 2, Corey Davis has seen seven+ targets and double-digit expected fantasy points in every other game. He’s not the most inspiring option, but he’ll accumulate enough through empty targets to serve as a high-end FLEX this week. Meanwhile, Jamison Crowder might be a deep-league FLEX play with 15 combined targets in the two games he’s played, but there are too many receivers here for an inefficient offense to get excited about.
New England Patriots
QUARTERBACKS
Mac Jones (Sit)
Quietly, Mac Jones has suddenly performed much better in terms of fantasy points, and has outperformed Wilson his year. However, the Patriots have leaned more on their rushing attack the past two weeks, and that likely will be the plan against the Jets. For perspective, Jones scored just 7.4 fantasy points in their last outing against New York, and the seven-point spread indicates that Jones may not be asked to do much in this game.
RUNNING BACKS
Damien Harris (Start, RB2), Rhamondre Stevenson (Sit), Brandon Bolden (Sit)
Many have claimed that Rhamondre Stevenson is making this a committee backfield, but that’s not actually the case. Damien Harris, even while dealing with a rib injury, had 18 carries against the Cowboys on Sunday. Now healthier, I expect him to see 20+ carries in a leading game script, so the volume should be there regardless of if he scores a touchdown or not. Speaking of which, he remains their clear goal-line back and has definite touchdown upside this week.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Jakobi Meyers (Start, FLEX), Nelson Agholor (Sit), Kendrick Bourne (Sit), Hunter Henry (Start), Jonnu Smith (Sit)
Jakobi Meyers, who still has never scored a touchdown due to a holding penalty last week, certainly is the one whose stock takes the biggest hit with a more run-heavy game script. Thus, I’d consider him more of a FLEX this week and prefer Corey Davis to him. Also, the Hunter Henry versus Jonnu Smith battle has a clear winner- Henry ran nearly twice as many routes as Smith did. Henry has now seen an end-zone target in back-to-back games, and is someone who’ll want to start against the Jets this week. I’d really like to see Smith featured more, but, alas, Meyers and Henry are the only fantasy starters from this group, even in a thin week.
All Stats via Pro Football Focus