Can The Jets Upset The Pats

The New York Jets are big underdogs against the New England Patriots this afternoon (1 p.m. ET on CBS). The Pats are favored between -8-point and -9.5-point favorites depending on the sportsbook.

The rivalry between the Jets and the Patriots is a storied one. Under Rex Ryan it seemed as if the Jets were a team being crafted with the sole purpose to defeat the Jets with a defense built around stopping a passing game like Brady’s.

Not much has changed under new head coach Todd Bowles. New York has allowed teams to score on just 16 percent of their possessions with opposing quarterback only able to muster QB ratings around 59. The Jets only give up 4.4 yards per play and an average of 270 yards a game and 15 points. New York is among the league’s best passing defenses.

Offensively, the Jets will be relying mostly on its run game, while they hope quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will be able to limit his turnovers. The Jets average 146 yards per game on the ground, while Fitzpatrick is beginning to garner a reputation as a QB who likes to throw the ball to the opposing team.

Meanwhile, the Pats are not the best team at stopping the run, but they do everything else well. It will simple come down to the Jets ability to take advantage of the poor Pats run defense in order to pick up the upset win.