Experts share their picks for the Patriots Week 3 matchup against the New York Jets.
Mike Reiss, ESPN:
Pick: Patriots 30, Jets 9
How do the Patriots configure their offensive line without starting left tackle Isaiah Wynn and starting center David Andrews? One possibility is moving left guard Joe Thuney to left tackle, but that could weaken the line in two spots. This is the Jets' best chance to make it a game, with their strong defensive line winning the matchup up front.
Rich Cimini, ESPN
Pick: Patriots 35, Jets 6
Bold prediction: The Jets, with third-string quarterback Luke Falk making his first NFL start, will fail to score a touchdown for the second consecutive game. Truth be told, the offense wasn't functioning well with Sam Darnold and Trevor Siemian, so it's unreasonable to expect a former practice-squad QB to provide the spark. Le'Veon Bell will get 30 touches, but coach Bill Belichick won't let the run game beat him.
Mike Golic, ESPN: Patriots
Seth Wickersham, ESPN: Patriots
Mina Kimes, ESPN: Patriots
Dan Graziano, ESPN: Patriots
Trey Wingo, ESPN: Patriots
Louis Riddick, ESPN: Patriots
Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com
Pick: Patriots 29, Jets 6
Despite the presence of Tom Brady, Josh Gordon and Antonio Brown, the Patriots' secondary is the strength of this roster. Through two weeks, according to NFL Media Research, the Patriots' top four cornerbacks (Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, Jonathan Jones and J.C. Jackson) have given up 25 catches on 54 targets. They've broken up 10 of those passes and intercepted another. That's preposterous, and the figures should only improve with Jets third-stringer Luke Falk coming to town.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports:
Pick: Patriots 35, Jets 10
Luke Falk vs. Tom Brady. Are you serious? This one will be ugly. The Jets have all kinds of injury issues, and they lack the talent of the Pats anyway. The Patriots are banged up on the offensive line, but it won't matter.
Jason La Canfora, CBS Sports: Patriots
Will Brinson, CBS Sports: Patriots
Dave Richard, CBS Sports: Patriots
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Patriots
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk:
Pick: Patriots 42, Jets 17
Whatever happened to parity?
Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk:
Pick: Patriots 42, Jets 0
Luke Falk against Bill Belichick’s defense is going to get ugly. Very ugly.
Jenny Vrentas, MMQB: Patriots
Conor Orr, MMQB: Patriots
Paul Perillo, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 37, Jets 13
Defense continues to dominate as the Jets are forced to go with third-string quarterback Luke Falk. The offense also continues to develop, finding some balance.
Mike Dussault, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 42, Jets 3
While the Patriots usually have a flat game in September, the Jets just don’t have the weapons or defense to get them off track at this point. The defense continues to own the line of scrimmage while the offense makes strides in both the running and passing game as they find their identity.
Erik Scalavino, Patriots.com
Pick: Patriots 34, Jets 10
New England is just too much for almost any team to handle on both sides of the ball, especially a Jets team working on a short week with a third-string quarterback as its starter under center. I’ll give RB Le’Veon Bell credit for being able to crack the Patriots’ end zone for the first time this season, but aside from that, New York doesn’t bring much of a threat to Foxborough this weekend.
