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Pats Cast Episode 15: Patriots Take on the Jets on Monday Night Football


Marcus Maye is the leader among a roster that is otherwise scarce for talent. (Photo: Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

It's the moment you've all been waiting for. The 0-8 New York Jets host the 2-5 New England Patriots in primetime.

The Jets enter Week 9 with the worst offense in the NFL (in terms of yards per game) and the seventh-worst defense. The Patriots are better – 21st in offense and 14th in defense – but this clearly isn't the marquee matchup most people would prefer to see on Monday Night Football.

Here are my thoughts on the matchup, including offensive and defensive scheme analysis for the Jets, injury updates, and key head-to-head matchups to keep and eye on.

Here's a quick overview of players from each team that will enter the game with injury designations.

Photos via Patriots.com

Jets Defense

As for in-game strategy, this isn't the flashiest matchup. However, New York's defense is worth discussing.

Gregg Williams is among the most aggressive defensive coordinators in the league. He specializes in blitzes and exotic coverages – although sometimes too exotic for his own good. Here's an example play out of what he refers to as "Ruby" personnel.

In essence, the left-side corner (offense's right side) comes on a blitz – leaving the strong safety to travel to the unoccupied receiver, with free safety help if the route is cut short – while the SAM linebacker spies in the backfield, and the right-side and slot cornerbacks rotate coverage responsibilities. All the while, Williams is also deploying a three-man rush to the offense's left side, while dropping the weak-side defensive tackle into a WILL position.

Mentally exhausted? Me too. It often affects opposing offenses in the same manner, but – again – it sometimes comes back to bite him, since he's forcing so many players into awkward roles.

If that wasn't confusing enough, Williams runs a 3-4 defense, but it's essentially a misnomer. Quinnen Williams (listed as their RDE, and arguably their best defensive player) typically slides inside to DT, with their ROLB – a rotation of Tarell Basham and Jabari Zuniga – filling the vacant DE spot. Think of "Q" as their version of Aaron Donald, although not quite as dominant.

Safety Marcus Maye has the potential to wreak some havoc – much like Jamal Adams, who they traded to Seattle over the offseason, once did – but the rest of the defensive personnel (aside from Williams) is rather suspect, and it's gotten worse since they traded MIKE Avery Williamson to the Steelers. However, I am excited to get a look at rookie safety Ashtyn Davis, whose play time has recently spiked with Bradley McDougald on IR.

Jets Offense

As I alluded to, there's not a lot worth speaking of on the offensive side. Sam Darnold continues to be a rather nondescript quarterback – remember when he saw ghosts last year – for Adam Gase, who is hanging on for dear life as the Jets' head coach.

In all likelihood, Joe Flacco will draw the start in this game – since Darnold is hurt. He too has struggled against the Patriots, and his talent has declined with age.

The passing game features Jamison Crowder – a star in the slot – and a whole lot of question marks. Tight end Chris Herndon has been a disappointment for them, and every notable wide receiver (including Crowder) has battled injuries all season. I'm a fan of rookie Denzel Mims, but after battling a bad hamstring to start the season, he only has six catches and 84 yards through two games – I say "only" because I think he's capable of much more, despite sliding to the end of the second round.

With Le'Veon Bell now out of the mix – although it also applied when he was in it – the running game is equally spotty. They've turned to a tandem of veteran Frank Gore and rookie La'Mical Perine to lead their outside zone-based rushing attack. However, it's not nearly as effective as similar systems, such as in Las Vegas or San Francisco. Neither runner is particularly threatening in the passing game either, although Perine is the best of the duo in that capacity.

The best player on offense – or at least 1a to Crowder, and by a wide margin – is rookie left tackle Mehki Becton. He wasn't one of my preferred offensive linemen in this year's draft class, but that spoke primarily to the quality of the top two (Tristan Wirfs and Jedrick Wills Jr.). Nonetheless, Becton is about as good at shoving his man out of a play as anyone in the league.

The rest of their offensive line is... okay, which is a major improvement over what it had previously been, but it still shouldn't give the Patriots as much trouble as it's had in recent weeks.

Matchups

Aside from the obvious advantage that New England's secondary has against Darnold or Flacco, there aren't a ton of intriguing matchups in this game.

Speaking of the secondary, you'll likely see Jonathan Jones cover Crowder most frequently, but I expect to see Stephon Gilmore there at times. Otherwise, Gilmore will likely be assigned to Breshad Perriman, with J.C. Jackson probably glued to Mims for most of the game. It hardly matters who covers the tight ends, so I'd use Kyle Dugger there, for the most part.

I doubt you see any one player stay on Becton's side – the right side of the defense – for too many reps; but whatever rotation of John Simon, Deatrich Wise, Shilique Calhoun and/or Chase Winovich is forced to play there could be in for a tough day.

While I think Josh Uche eventually overtakes Ja'Whaun Bentley, this is a matchup that may favor Bentley. Nonetheless, you'll see Uche – and ideally Anfernee Jennings – from time to time.

There shouldn't be any real challenges for the offense, other than keeping an eye on Marcus Maye and blocking Quinnen Williams (likely via double teams).

In complete honesty, I can't tell you how coverages will look against the Patriots' receivers. Gregg Williams hasn't shown a lot of consistency there, partly by design and partly because no one has stepped up for him. On paper, Pierre Desir should be their best cornerback, with Brian Poole in the slot and Blessuan Austin as the other starter on the outside, but their reps tend to fluctuate. Attach to that the turnover the Patriots have gone through at wide receiver, and it's a complete guessing game.

What I can say is that the Patriots have an opportunity to do essentially whatever they want on both sides of the ball, because they have an advantage in nearly every area and matchup on the field.

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