He is a big loss, however, I expect the Patriots to attack the Jets suspect secondary. Spread them out. Put Milliner and Wilson on islands. Leon Washington can then run up the middle using his speed if the Jets are spread out. Tough situation for Rex and the boys.
If the Pats are really missing all those guys (including Amendola) then we might actually stand a chance. If we could beat the Pats on the road, start the season 2-0 with a decent break to get healthy before playing the Bills in week three that would be pretty amazing. One game at a time and all but, still, it would be nice.
I was just thinking that...."didn't they release Leon?" Then again...I haven't heard him sign anywhere else so it's quite possible they may just start Leon on Thursday. For now, thought, he, too is a non-factor.
they still have amendola and edelman. amendola looked great and edelman has done damage against us while subbing for welker in the past. the pats are going to score points on us for sure. new englands defensive line is really outstanding. their secondary is weak, but their front is excellent. they wont have any trouble getting to us if we dont play signficantly better on the line.
washington is still on their roster. riddley will start, blount and leon will both see their share of carries. missing vareen is big. he is a bruiser and a big play guy for them and excellent catching out of the backfield.
The Patriots are thin in a lot of offensive areas and will be without Shane Vereen on Thursday. And Sudfeld their rookie TE has a hammy. But I see Geno having problems with BB's defensive calls and I'd be surprised if he can figure out all of those nuances. As for our running game NEP has the best NT in the NFL in Woolfork. So I don't see any real improvements there although the Jets in that area have no where to go but up.
We've got a decent shot. I see the Bucs as being a pretty solid team this year so our performance against them has me optimistic. Pats don't have a burner like Jackson (or Williams). Ridley has been rough lately. Our D looks good, Geno carried our offense against a potentially good D. Looking forward to seeing this one play out.
I can't predict any game over the Pats. In fact, I think it's stupid to predict a win against any team unless you actually detail the reasons why they would win correctly. Just saying "we're gonna win" without being correct about the reason your team wins is pointless and without credibility. Vereen being out helps the Jets, but the fact is that the Pats use that running game to makes their passing game effective, as opposed to the way they have played for years. This is the best evidence about how much the TE issues have affected them. I fully expect Gronk to play. That will draw safeties to the LOS and shift linebackers into the second level. They will try to crowd the Jets defensive second level by forcing most coverage underneath, and try to leave the back end open. The Pats will run the ball and throw the long ball with success. The Jets offense have to try to match that. I like Geno, but I'm not sure he can match that pace.
For the first time since 2011 I like the way we match up against them helmet on helmet. On a neutral field I'd like our chances... But it's still a road game, on short rest, in a place that's very hard to win, against a QB and coach who prepare as good as anyone in the sport. And we have a rookie QB starting his 2nd game in the league. Not exactly a recipe for a win in the NFL.
I'll be shocked if Gronk plays. It was a debate right to the very end whether to IR him or just hold him out of games. IR would have kept him out til week 7. Highly doubt he gets back already. And if he does come back, he can't be 100%.
Yeah I don't see Gronk coming in. They will have a nice rest between this game and week three so why not give him some additional time to rest and get healthy instead of pushing him and maybe losing him for the year?
Aside from Gronk, Vareen was their biggest mismatch. Bruiser RBs like Ridley are the strength of our defense. The Pats could potentially be without Vareen, Gronk, Sudfeld (and possibly Ammendola, but Im not sure on his injury status). Brady's top targets could be 2 rookies and I like our defense in that matchup. If Wilkerson and Richardson can continue to push the pocket and wreak havoc, I think we have a shot.
I agree. The other point people are forgetting is that getting timing patterns down in an offense like the patriots have is critical. Playing with various receivers that he hasn't played with much or practiced with much will make it difficult for Brady to be effective. In addition, in the modern NFL receivers routes depend on their reading the defense (zone v man to man) and Rex's system sometimes disguises the nature of the defense effectively. When you throw in receivers without a lot of experience with Brady with Rex's defensive smoke and mirrors, the receivers might end up running different routes than Brady expects. Given how banged up the Patriots are and all their new personnel, the Jets should be in a position to pull a big upset here. I say should, instead of will, because with a rookie QB you just never know. The relative youth of the jets should also help with the short week.
amendola re-injured his groin Sunday and said "he wasn't sure if he'd be able to return" Now he needs to turn around and play 3 days later... my point in the thread isn't so much NE defense...they are good...it's more the fact that I actually think we will see Brady struggle Thursday because of the aforementioned points. it even has less to do with the Jets...just more about the Pats and that I think they will struggle mightily offensively against our D this week. If we played them instead of them playing Buffalo week 1, they would not have put up 20 points.
This Thursday is the best chance your going to have since Brady's injury. Name someone on offense that scares you other than Brady? Your D plays like they did yesterday and you can score a couple TD's it should be close.
I agree. People aren't giving this year's Bucs team enough credit. Pretty solid on both sides of the ball. Stupid penalties and overkill shots in front of the refs killed their chances and negated most of their otherwise solid play. Schiano should have put his foot so far up their asses after the game that they'd have to stand up on the airplane. On the other side of the ball, Geno kept his poise throughout and found a couple of new buddies - Winslow and Hill. And he also found out he can run it for a 1st down in the NFL. Two huge positives for him going into Thursday.
My absolute worst fear was always the Little Weasel, Weasely Welker. He was impossible to stop... just impossible. That combination was just a killer. Now that he's gone I can get off the valium Thursday night.
