Patriots want to get on track against Jets

Vederian Lowe: A potential return of Lowe to the lineup could be the type of personnel reinforcement they need, as it could see them return to their preferred starting lineup of Lowe-Jordan-Brown-Onwenu-Jacobs. Although the protection wasn’t perfect, it has improved over the last two weeks, at least in terms of pressure rate. With Brissett starting, he was pressured on 50% of his dropbacks, while Maye was pressured on 40.6%. When protected with more than 2.5 seconds to throw, he threw four touchdowns and one interception with a passer rating of 102.9. Lowe could further help things calm down around Maye and perhaps give the running game a needed boost. Lowe returned to practice this week but appears to remain limited. If he can get back into the lineup, it would be a nice boost to the offense that they could really use against the Jets’ defensive front seven.

From that Godchaux: Godchaux’s frustration has been palpable in recent weeks as the run defense, traditionally a point of pride in Foxborough, has been torn apart, falling to the 28th DVOA unit in the league after ranking third last year. Only six times in 2023 did the Patriots allow a rusher to rush for over 100 yards, and only once, in the final game of the season, did they allow over 140 yards on the ground. They have already surpassed that number three times in 2024 with five 100-yard performances. Simply put, run defense is proving to be a fatal flaw. Godchaux has been one of the key cogs up front and can’t do everything himself, but the run defense needs to rally around him, including his fellow defensive linemen and the linebackers behind them. Until they begin to contain their opponent’s rushing attacks, it will be difficult for the Patriots to keep their offense within striking distance on the scoreboard.

Aaron Rodgers — Rodgers has had some good passing performances over the last two weeks, but it’s the turnovers (six interceptions in the last three games) that have hurt the Jets. This is because New York allows the lowest pressure percentage in the league. Rodgers gets the time and he has the weapons, but somehow the Jets’ offense remains mired in underperformance and insufficient consistency. They should be better than 20th in DVOA, 20th in EPA and 24th in points. The Patriots must find a way to break Rodgers’ protection and continue his streak of turnovers. Of course, success against their passing game directly impacts how well the Patriots run defense can slow down…

Breece Hall & Braelon Allen: The Jets’ top two backs combined for 109 rushing yards five weeks ago, a key factor in New York’s decisive win. The duel does not bode well for the Patriots’ defense, which has repeatedly come under pressure in recent weeks. Hall and Allen are a nice combination that can hurt defenses whether they are carrying or receiving the ball. The best way for New York to get Rodgers going is to allow their running game to put the Pats D on their heels. The two only had 42 yards combined against the Steelers last week, although Hall had over 100 receiving yards. The Pats would like to repeat that performance from Pittsburgh, even if Hall does some damage through the air. Most importantly, the Patriots need to prevent Hall and Allen from making the big plays.

Davante Adams: It was a quiet Jets debut for Adams, who had three catches for 30 yards on nine targets. The Patriots shouldn’t count on the fact that it won’t be long before Rodgers and Adams start to rediscover their old chemistry, they just can’t let it happen this week. In September, New England could be particularly worried about Garrett Wilson, but now Adams is making the matchups extremely difficult. Christian Gonzalez will probably have another difficult task ahead of him, but one that he can keep up with due to his size and speed. Regardless of who is sitting on whom, the biggest key remains the same. Don’t let the big players continue to play a role in the game.

Will McDonald: McDonald is having a breakout season, already recording eight sacks but only being left off the stat sheet twice. He’s a flexible, athletic player and the next in a seemingly unbroken line of strong pass rushers who will challenge the Patriots’ tackles. If Haason Reddick joins the lineup, that would take even more pressure off McDonald. The Pats need a plan to deal with the rising edge rusher. Although pass protection has gotten better over the past two weeks, edge pressure remains a concern.

CJ Mosley: The biggest problem for the Patriots in reviving their running game is the Jets’ do-it-all linebacker Mosley. The Pats didn’t have to deal with him in Week 3, but now Mosley is back and increasing his contributions in the last two games. A smart, instinctive player, Mosley has a habit of destroying plays before they even begin, something the Patriots have struggled with far too much this season as their running backs have had a hard time getting out of the backfield at all lately They had would-be tacklers on them at all to attack. Perhaps Lowe’s possible return can bring Mike Onwenu back into the game, where he can be put in position to deal with Mosley. The Jets’ linebacker will be a thorn in the Patriots’ side no matter how well they handle him.