Jets @ Patriots
Final Score: Patriots 25, Jets 22
Writer: Brett Ford (@Fadethatman)
At what point do we begin to sympathize with the Jets fans out there? If there were ever a team that could find a new and interesting way to lose, it would be the New York Jets. Well, they did. ESPN correspondent Rich Cimini tweeted out just how wild their loss this week was:
“This is crazy: #Jets had 0 turnovers, held the Patriots to 247 yards — and still lost. They’re the first team to lose a game in which they did not turn the ball over and held their opponent under 250 yards since Week 3 of 2012.
In 2012, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers lost, 14-12, to the Seahawks in the “Fail Mary” game. Since that game, teams to do that had been 220-0 until today. (ESPN Research).”
The Patriots battled through adversity, despite losing starting quarterback Drake Maye to injury in the second quarter, to get the win over a division rival and keep what little hope remains for this upstart, feisty team alive. Let’s dig in.
Two Up
- Jacoby Brissett – Called into action after Maye went down with an injury, he did enough to get his team the win
- Garrett Wilson – Showed that he can still be the top receiver in the offense, even with Davante Adams on board
Two Down
- Antonio Gibson – Just a couple of weeks ago this guy was supposed to be taking over the starting job, and Sunday he got just five touches
- Mike Williams – I literally had to check multiple reports to confirm if he even played
New York Jets
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: 17/28, 233 Yards, 2 TDs
Aaron Rodgers was fine for the most part, performing serviceably for a run-heavy team against a tough Patriots defense. He took care of the football and made good throws in the red zone to convert for scores. He even led his team on a comeback touchdown drive, going 70 yards in 4:37 to regain a 22-17 lead with under four minutes to play. There’s not much more you can ask for out of one of the oldest quarterbacks in the league. But the Jets found a way to lose – and this time it wasn’t on Rodgers.
Running Back
Breece Hall: 16 Carries, 80 Yards | 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Despite being one of the most talented, versatile running backs in the league, the New York Jets still choose to go elsewhere with the opportunities inside the five-yard line. Breece Hall did his part to put his team in scoring positions on several offensive drives, but out of 12 red zone snaps Hall touched the ball just four times, including just once on four snaps from inside the five-yard line. All three of the Jets’ touchdowns came from inside the five-yard line and none of them were scored by Hall. That’s bad variance.
Braelon Allen: 12 Carries, 32 Yards, TD
Allen earned 12 carries on Sunday, despite being on the field for less than half the snaps that Hall saw. Allen was on the field for 19 plays while Hall manned 46 snaps. The 12 carries marked more than he had seen in the previous two weeks combined, easily the most opportunities since the coaching change. He vultured a touchdown from Hall, punching one in from two yards out after Hall had carried the ball five times for 24 yards on the drive.
https://www.twitter.com/nyjets/status/1850624894394053004
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Garrett Wilson: 8 Targets, 5 Receptions, 113 Yards
Garrett Wilson was back to his alpha receiver ways, making a handful of outstanding catches and plays after the catch to lead the team in receiving yardage. He made a diving catch on a red zone post pattern and appeared to roll into the end zone, but was ruled down by contact inside the two-yard line. The touchdown went to Xavier Gipson instead. With outstanding ball skills and the ability to get open consistently, the addition of Adams may prove to benefit Wilson more than hinder him. The situation could be similar to the Bengals in which Ja’Marr Chase actually performs better in games in which Tee Higgins plays. Time will tell for the young receiver and this Jets offense.
https://www.twitter.com/dwainmcfarland/status/1850664924344926233
Davante Adams: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 54 Yards
Adams and Wilson are the clear 1-2 punch in this receiving game, combining for more than a 50% target share in this one. He managed a respectable (albeit, below average for a star wide receiver) stat line, but was stifled by Patriots defensive back Christian Gonzalez in particular. Adams and Rodgers have shown chemistry but it hasn’t turned into the production that the Jets and fantasy managers were hoping for so far.
https://www.twitter.com/LosTalksPats/status/1850635544222703856
Allen Lazard: DNP
Mike Williams: 0 Targets
I thought he might have been traded just before the game. Instead, he just ran cardio for 36 offensive snaps and 19 routes.
Tyler Conklin: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 42 Yards, 1 TD
For the second straight week, Tyler Conklin has caught a score. At least this week he was more than a check-down merchant, registering 42 yards to go with his end zone catch. He’s on the field for more than 80% of snaps week in and week out, but it’s tough to see him getting consistent looks in this offense with so many other weapons.
Xavier Gipson: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 1 Yard, TD
Congratulations, Xavier Gipson. You’ve been added to the “Breece Hall Touchdown Vultures” list. Gipson made a nice catch on a quick out for a one-yard score in the second quarter. It was his only opportunity all game.
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Drake Maye: 3/6, 23 yards | 3 Carries, 46 Yards, TD
Maye started off hot for the second straight week, looking especially strong on the ground. Maye led a 77-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter, completing a couple of throws into tight windows and gaining major yardage with his legs. He finished the drive with a 17-yard touchdown scramble, beating the Jets defense to the pylon for the score. On the Patriots’ next drive, Maye was hit in the head on a scramble. He finished the drive but did not return after that, leaving the game with a head injury.
https://www.twitter.com/tkyles39/status/1850716037408264462
Jacoby Brissett: 15/24, 132 yards | 3 Carries, 11 Yards
Enter Jacoby Brissett. The crafty veteran did all he could to lead his team to victory. His first scoring drive came after amazing field position on a stellar punt return. But the Pats offense stagnated throughout the third quarter. In the final frame, Brissett led a pair of scoring drives, including a 70-yard drive for the go-ahead touchdown in the final minutes. His best throw was a clutch completion to Kayshon Boutte with under two minutes remaining to put the Patriots in the red zone. Though he made some good throws, he was clearly the inferior quarterback from an arm-talent perspective and would definitely return to backup duties if Maye is cleared for next week.
Running Back
Rhamondre Stevenson: 20 Carries, 49 Yards, 2 TDs | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 17 Yards
Rhamondre Stevenson started for the second-consecutive week after returning from injury and looked every bit of a bellcow back with 20 carries and three targets. He punched in a pair of goal-line carries, including the game-winning score with under a minute to play. If Stevenson continues to see this kind of usage in future matchups, he could be a second-half sleeper candidate.
https://www.twitter.com/YahooFantasy/status/1850629619663405290
Antonio Gibson: 3 Carries, 4 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 yards
He carried the ball five times but didn’t see a single target. That’s concerning for a guy who used to be a wide receiver.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Hunter Henry: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 45 Yards
Hunter Henry was one of the cornerstones of the Patriots offense again this week, helping the team move the chains with a handful of catches while tying for the team lead in targets with six. He’s been as consistent as they come with at least five targets in each of his last three games but likely needs to find the end zone – which he’s only done once this season – to appease fantasy managers.
Demario Douglas: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 14 Yards
Despite the lack of reporting pre-game, Demario “Pop” Douglas apparently woke up sick and had to miss a large chunk of the game due to the illness. Douglas had a promising start to this one, catching two balls for 14 yards including a first down on the game’s first three plays. It’s difficult to take away much from this performance but Pop looked like the number one option on the first drive.
Kayshon Boutte: 6 Targets, 3 Receptions, 46 Yards
In the absence of Ja’Lynn Polk, Boutte stepped up on the final drive of the game. His biggest play came on that last drive to set up the Pats for the game-winning score. With under two minutes remaining, Boutte beat All-Pro Sauce Gardner in man coverage to catch a 34-yard pass in the red zone. He led the Patriots in snap share and tied for the team lead in targets, making him a waiver wire consideration this week.
https://www.twitter.com/fsh733/status/1850628687042928949
Tyquan Thornton: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards
Ja’Lynn Polk: DNP
K.J. Osborn: 1 Target
Kendrick Bourne: 3 Targets