Up in Foxborough to face the New England Patriots, the New York Jets have an opportunity to make a convincing statement this afternoon.

After an ugly but much-needed Week 5 win over the Cleveland Browns, the Jets remain alive at 2-3. Now, the team has a chance to get back to .500 at 3-3.

It won’t come easy, though. The Patriots have looked like one of the league’s best teams over the past two weeks after a somewhat slow start to the season.

Can Gang Green pull off the upset, or will New England prevent the Jets from reaching .500? Here’s everything you need to know ahead of today’s clash.

How to watch

  • Time: Sunday, Oct. 18, at 1 p.m. ET
  • Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
  • TV: CBS
  • Broadcast crew: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, and Aditi Kinkhabwala

CBS will broadcast Jets-Patriots in the following markets:

  • New York, NY
  • Albany, NY
  • Syracuse, NY
  • Buffalo, NY
  • Rochester, NY
  • Hartford, CT
  • Boston, MA
  • Portland, ME
  • Burlington, VT
  • Miami, FL
  • West Palm Beach, FL

Weather

The forecast calls for clear skies throughout the game, with temperatures hovering in the low 50s around kickoff. Winds are expected to be light, around five to six miles per hour.

Uniforms

The Jets will wear green helmets with their white-on-green jersey and pants combination. Meanwhile, the Patriots will rock silver helmets with their blue-on-blue combo.

Injury report

Jets:

  • RB Breece Hall (quad): Out
  • WR Adonai Mitchell (finger): Out
  • EDGE Joseph Ossai (ankle): Out
  • OL Dylan Parham (knee): Out
  • S Dane Belton (knee): Questionable
  • WR Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle): Questionable
  • TE Kenyon Sadiq (concussion): Questionable

Once again, the Jets’ injury report is lengthy. They remain without Dylan Parham, Breece Hall, and Adonai Mitchell, three key offensive pieces.

However, the good news is that first-round rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. is expected to make his return after suffering an ankle injury in Week 1. Despite a concussion last week, tight end Kenyon Sadiq looks likely to play today after fully participating in Friday’s practice.

Dane Belton, who is dealing with a knee injury, was limited Wednesday and Thursday but fully participated Friday.

Getting Cooper back will provide a much-needed boost to the Jets’ passing attack, especially as the team remains without Mitchell. The rookie will have an opportunity to take on an impact role.

Meanwhile, Joseph Ossai just can’t stay on the field after suffering an ankle injury last week and missing much of the summer, along with the first two weeks of the season. Even when he’s been on the field, he has struggled.

His absence looks like it will create an opportunity for edge rusher Nate Lynn, a preseason star, who signed to the Jets’ active roster last week. He is expected to make his NFL debut.

Patriots:

  • CB Carlton Davis III (neck): Out
  • CB Karon Prunty (hamstring): Out
  • WR A.J. Brown (ankle): Questionable
  • OT Marcus Bryant (ankle): Questionable
  • OT Will Campbell (knee): Questionable
  • CB Channing Canada (hamstring): Questionable
  • RB TreVeyon Henderson (ankle): Questionable
  • S Craig Woodson (shoulder): Questionable

New England is also dealing with no shortage of injuries, especially in their secondary. Although star cornerback Christian Gonzalez is expected to return after missing the past two weeks with a shoulder issue, fellow cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Karon Prunty will both be out.

The bigger storyline, though, is A.J. Brown’s expected return. After missing four games with an ankle injury, the star receiver returned to practice this week, and he is expected to play today. Although his role remains unknown, Drake Maye should have his top weapon back.

What to watch for

Can the Jets’ pass rush build on last week?

After an atrocious start to the year, the Jets’ pass rush showed signs of life last week against the Browns, and then some. They came away with eight sacks, the most among any team this season. Still, though, they have a long way to go to make up for their inconsistency over the first four games, as the Jets remain 30th in Pro Football Focus’ pass-rush grade.

Maye also provides a much tougher challenge than Deshaun Watson. As we broke down, the Jets’ pass rush and secondary must be in lockstep for the Jets to have a chance of pulling off an upset.

With strong push up front, the Jets have a chance to come out on top, but if Maye consistently has time, it can get ugly real quick.

Garrett Wilson’s role

Garrett Wilson has been one of the NFL’s most efficient wide receivers through five games this season. He ranks first in ESPN Analytics’ Open Score (91) and catch rate over expected (+16.0%, minimum 40 targets), and second in contested catch rate (72.7%, minimum 10 targets).

Wilson will also face a familiar face in Gonzalez, whom he has consistently succeeded against since entering the league.

With the Jets still missing several top offensive cogs, despite Cooper’s return, getting Wilson involved early and often will be crucial for New York to find passing success.

Score prediction

  • Patriots 30, Jets 17

Last week was a step in the right direction for the Jets, but the Patriots are a very challenging opponent. It’s tough to picture the Jets going stride for stride with Maye and New England on the road.

I expect the Jets to fall to New England, 30-17, and drop to 2-4 on the season. A win would be huge for the team, and New York certainly has a chance, but it’s hard to predict Gang Green leaving Foxborough victorious given the matchup.