The Jets have a chance to pull their second major upset in as many weeks when the Patriots come to town on Monday night.
New England dominated New York in Week 3 to the tune of a 30-14 drubbing in which the Jets never had a chance with Luke Falk under center, but the circumstances are much different for Gang Green this time around. The Jets have Sam Darnold back and are riding high off a win over the Cowboys. The Patriots have yet to lose in 2019, but with last week’s win and Darnold’s return to the field, there is a glimmer of hope that the Jets can shock the NFL in Week 7.
With that being said, let’s take a look at some storylines to keep an eye on with kickoff nearing.
The return of C.J. Mosley
One week after Sam Darnold’s return, the Jets are getting their man in the middle on defense back.
It took over a month for his groin to fully heal, but C.J. Mosley is finally healthy enough to take the field against the Patriots in Week 7. The Jets have gotten solid play out of Neville Hewitt and rookie Blake Cashman with Mosley sidelined, but the veteran linebacker adds a new element to New York’s defense as a dominant run stopper and leader.
With New England’s high-powered offense coming to MetLife Stadium, the Jets are getting Mosley back at the right time. Whether or not that has any bearing on the final score remains to be seen, but it’s a plus for New York to have its $85 million man in the starting lineup.
Potential revenge for Demaryius Thomas
To say Demaryius Thomas was disappointed in how his tenure played out with the Patriots would be an understatement.
The veteran recently called his stint in New England a “waste of time,” citing an untrustworthy Bill Belichick and the way he was shown the door as the roots of his displeasure. On Monday night, he’ll have the chance to stick it to the team that shipped him off in exchange for peanuts.
Thomas was a beneficiary of Sam Darnold’s return against the Cowboys, as he turned in his best performance of the season. As long as he gets the chance to make some plays against the Patriots, odds are Thomas will be going all out to send a message to his former employer.
A budding personal rivalry
If Week 3 was any indication of things to come, Robby Anderson and Stephon Gilmore are going to be going at it with everything they have on Monday night.
Gilmore called out Anderson following New England’s Week 3 win over the Jets for complaining about a lack of holding penalties called on the All-Pro cornerback in the days leading up to the game. Gilmore went after Anderson after the game, saying he was making excuses for his poor 11-yard performance. He acknowledged that he hates whoever he covers in any given week, but made a point of establishing his disdain for New York’s top wideout.
Expect some jawing and then some between the two on Monday night, especially if one player is having his way with the other. Anything less would come as a surprise.
Crowded injury reports
Combine the Jets’ and Patriots’ injury reports for Week 7 and you have the length of the next best-selling novel.
New York’s injury report totals 15 players with one ruled out, six doubtful and eight questionable. New England isn’t in much better shape, as three players have already been ruled out and five more are listed as questionable. Among the notable walking wounded for the Jets are Henry Anderson, Kelvin Beachum, Neville Hewitt, Kelechi Osemele, Ryan Kalil, Alex Lewis, Steve McLendon, Darryl Roberts, Demaryius Thomas and Brian Winters. Banged up for the Patriots are Josh Gordon, Matt LaCosse, Rex Burkhead, Patrick Chung, Phillip Dorsett and Julian Edelman.
With so many players listed as questionable, numerous backups could be inserted into prominent roles for both the Jets and the Patriots on Monday night. Depending on who plays and who doesn’t, the tide could turn in one team’s favor based on injuries alone.
