Take a look at the AFC East standings going into Week 8 and youll see that the Jets (5-2) are … in second place behind Super Bowl favorite Buffalo. Meanwhile, the Patriots (3-4) are in last and coming off what can only be described as a disastrous loss to the Bears on Monday night football.
MassLive will have live updates throughout the game (scroll down).
Mac Jones (high ankle sprain) is expected to start again after an early hook on Monday night. The Jets, meanwhile, will be playing their first game since star rookie running back Breece Hall suffered a season-ending knee injury during their win over the Broncos. Enter your email address here to receive MassLive’s Patriots newsletter every Monday and Friday.
From the Associated Press
New England coach Bill Belichick is tied with Bears founder and former coach George Halas for the second-most wins by a head coach in NFL history with 324. A victory over the AFC East-rival Jets on Sunday would give Belichick sole possession of second place.
The Patriots are coming off a disappointing 33-14 loss to Chicago on Monday night that has them in last place in the division. Robert Salehs Jets are 5-2 and off to their best start since 2010 and a victory would give them their first five-game winning streak since 2015.
NEW ENGLAND (3-4) at NEW YORK JETS (5-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS
LAST MEETING: Patriots beat Jets 54-13 on Oct. 24, 2021, in Foxborough.
LAST WEEK: Patriots lost to Bears 33-14; Jets beat Broncos 16-9.RELATED: Interested in sports betting? Sign up for news, advice and promos with our free newsletter
PATRIOTS PLAYER TO WATCH: LB Matt Judon. He has easily been New Englands most explosive defensive player and is coming off a season-high 2 1/2-sack performance against Chicago. His 8 1/2 sacks lead the league and he has failed to get a sack only once this season. When asked about Judons season, Jets coach Robert Saleh called him a freakazoid.
JETS PLAYER TO WATCH: WR Elijah Moore. The second-year wide receiver returned to the Jets this week after requesting a trade last week because of frustration over a lack of playmaking opportunities. He was kept home for the game at Denver, but Saleh insisted things are OK with Moore, who has just 16 catches after having 43 as a rookie.
KEY MATCHUP: Patriots run game vs. Jets D-line. Rhamondre Stevenson is off to a good start for New England, leading the team with 487 yards rushing and four TDs, but the Patriots O-line has some issues namely center David Andrews being in the concussion protocol and out this week after taking a blindside hit in the loss to Chicago on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Jets defensive front has been stingy this season while allowing just 3.9 yards rushing per attempt.