Traveling to Foxborough for their final game of the 2023 season, the NY Jets are in an interesting spot in Week 18
The New York Jets are in an interesting spot heading into Week 18. Sitting at 6-10 after a loss to the Cleveland Browns, New York now travels to face off against the hated New England Patriots in Week 18.
The team is in an interesting spot ahead of the game, with the circumstances revolving around the result.
With a victory, the Jets would end their losing streak to the Patriots. It would also likely end Bill Belichick’s tenure as the Patriots’ coach with a defeat to the team he despises the most.
Yet, the game would also cause the team’s draft position to slip, falling from the top 10 to around pick No. 12. It would also ensure the Patriots are locked into the top five of the 2024 NFL draft.
On the other hand, a loss to the Patriots would most likely lock the Jets into the top 10 of the 2024 NFL draft. It would enable New York to upgrade a key position of need, whether at offensive line or wide receiver.
This result would mean that the Jets’ losing streak against the Patriots would be extended and that Belichick would likely end his tenure on a high note.
While the Jets will try everything in their power to win on Sunday, the ramifications of either result will reverberate throughout the entire 2024 offseason.
Jets at Patriots game info
- New York Jets (6-10)
- New England Patriots (4-12)
- 2023 NFL Week 18
- Sunday, Jan. 7, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
- Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Disappointing seasons for the Jets and Patriots are set to conclude when they face off on Sunday.
The Week 18 clash is set to take place at Gillette Stadium at 1:00 p.m. ET. The broadcast is on CBS, with the broadcast team for the game being Chris Myers, Robert Smith, and Jen Hale.
After multiple games with their green jerseys, the Jets are opting to wear their white jerseys with black pants on the road.
White on Black for #NYJvsNE pic.twitter.com/DuCUG6MbM3
— Woody Johnson (@woodyjohnson4) January 5, 2024
Jets at Patriots History
- The Patriots lead the all-time series, 74-54-1.
In this matchup’s history, the Patriots have dominated the Jets for the better part of it.
The Jets have not defeated the Patriots since 2015, when the Ryan Fitzpatrick-led team won in overtime, 26-20. Their last non-overtime victory in the regular season was in 2010.
New England defeated the Jets in their previous matchup, winning 15-10 back in late September.
Jets at Patriots odds (FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Spread: Jets +1.5 (-110), Patriots -1.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Jets +114, Patriots -134
- Over/Under: 30.5 (O: -114, U: -106)
Currently, the Jets are a 1.5-point road underdog to the Patriots and a slight underdog when looking at the moneyline. Of course, the Jets have not beaten the Patriots in a considerable amount of time, and New England has looked better than New York recently.
With those circumstances added to a potential forecast of snow, the betting lines make sense in a game between two bad teams.
Jets at Patriots injury report
New York Jets
- Aaron Rodgers: Out
- Jeremy Ruckert: Out
- Zach Wilson: Out
- Jake Hansen: Out
- Wes Schweitzer: Questionable
For their last game of the season, nothing has changed with the team’s injury report.
While on the active roster, Aaron Rodgers is not active and will be out against Sunday with his Achilles injury.
Backup quarterback Zach Wilson is out once again with a concussion, meaning that his Jets’ tenure is most likely over. Tight end Jeremy Ruckert and offensive lineman Jake Hansen are also out with concussions.
New England Patriots
- OT Trent Brown: Out
- TE Hunter Henry: Out
- DL Christian Barmore: Questionable
- TE Pharaoh Brown: Questionable
- DB Myles Bryant: Questionable
- LB Anfernee Jennings: Questionable
- CB Jonathan Jones: Questionable
- S Jalen Mills: Questionable
- WR DeVante Parker: Questionable
- S Jabrill Peppers: Questionable
- SpT Matthew Slater: Questionable
- LB Jahlani Tavai: Questionable
- WR Tyquan Thornton: Questionable
- CB Shaun Wade: Questionable
Among an extensive injury report, the only two players listed as officially out are tight end Hunter Henry and offensive lineman Trent Brown.
Both players have played key roles for the Patriots when healthy, so their absence should help the Jets’ defense on Sunday.
Jets at Patriots prediction
- New York Jets 10, New England Patriots 14
To say that my expectations are low for this game is an understatement. Between the Trevor Siemian-Bailey Zappe quarterback matchup, and where each team currently stands, this projects to be anything but a barnburner of a game.
This game should be extremely even, just like the last few matchups between these teams.
Until the Jets prove otherwise, they should be expected to overcome a Bill Belichick-led team. No matter how good the Patriots have been, the Robert Saleh-led Jets have yet to find a way to beat their arch-rival.
As a result, give me the Patriots over the Jets, 14-10.
