The New England Patriots, following their victory over the Buffalo Bills, will host yet another division bottom-feeder Sunday, as the New York Jets come to town. The Jets, sitting at 4-11 after a demoralizing comeback loss to the Green Bay Packers, enter Sunday on a two-game losing streak.
However, rookie quarterback Sam Darnold has proven himself as one of the lone bright spots on an otherwise bleak season for the Jets. Coming off of a stunning performance against the Packers (341 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions), Darnold will take his very first snaps against the Patriots during his young career.
However, while the Jets season has been over practically since it began, the Patriots have plenty to play for entering the final week of the season. Aiming to clinch a bye week entering the playoffs, all the Patriots need to do is beat the Jets come Sunday. Belichick and company, however, can aim their sights a little higher than a simple bye week. Paired with a victory over the Jets, an unlikely defeat of the Kansas City Chiefs at the hands of the Oakland Raiders would vault the Patriots into the first seed in the AFC, once again making the AFC’s route to the Superbowl come through Foxborough. Given the importance of this game, there is no shortage of hot takes to go around for the last game of the regular season, something we would be more than happy to delve into.
Bold Predictions for the New England Patriots in Week 17
Sony Michel Will Reach 1,000 Rushing Yards on the Season
The Patriots’ dual-headed rushing attack has proven itself to be one of the league’s best in 2018. Star rookie running back Sony Michel, as many fans know, has been a large part of that. Despite missing four weeks with nagging knee injuries, Michel has already carried the ball for 881 yards and six scores to the tune of 4.5 yards-per-carry. With these numbers, Michel would only need 119 yards to eclipse 1,000 yards on the season.
Coming off a 116-yard performance against the Buffalo Bills in week 16 and on a season in which he has eclipsed 100 yards four times, reaching his needed 119 yards is not an impossible feat. It is important to note, as well, the last time the Patriots played the Jets in week 12, Michel carried the ball for his season-high 133 yards. All of these factors point to a high-ceiling matchup with Michel taking on the Jets.
Passing Attack Will Find an Identity
It is not a secret to anyone that the Patriots air attack missed Josh Gordon last week. Facing a tough Bills’ secondary, the Patriots only accumulated 117 yards through the air, their lowest output of the season. That script is likely to flip come Sunday.
The Jets’ secondary, headlined by Jamal Adams, is not as poor of a unit as it may seem. Coupled with the absence of Josh Gordon and an injury to do-it-all man Cordarelle Patterson, the Patriots’ air attack is not an inspiring sight to those examining it. However, the Patriots are primed for a major bounceback Sunday.
Coming off a strong week, Julian Edelman is primed to have another strong week. Operating as Brady’s usual safety blanket, Edelman will likely lead the team in targets once again this week. Furthermore, Patriots’ star tight end Rob Gronkowski, in the midst of a disappointing, injury-riddled season, will have a big day as well. Gronkowski is primed to reach the end zone this week and may end up nearing 100 yards by the time the clock hits zero.
Following a week in which poor receiving mistakes cost the Patriots multiple turnovers, the team has to work to find another target for Brady against a versatile secondary. That man should be Chris Hogan. Hogan, who has had a difficult season thus far, should serve as the next-man-up should Patterson not be able to go. If Patterson sits Sunday out, Hogan should not struggle to register double-digit targets on Sunday.
The Patriots’ Defense Will Cool Down Sam Darnold
Nobody is a stranger to the struggles of the Patriots’ defense. Often exposed as being porous, incomplete, or poorly-managed, the defense in New England is not one without more-than-enough criticism. However, it often goes unnoticed is the effectiveness of the Patriots’ secondary, most notably Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson. Jackson, who has allowed a league-best 33.7 QBR when targeted, has solidified himself across from Gilmore and has given the Patriots’ a much-needed band-aid in their secondary. He will build on his strong season thus far, as he will pick off the red-hot Darnold on Sunday.
What’s more, the Gilly Lock will come into full effect, with Gilmore also registering an interception before the game is over. Overall, the Patriots’ defense will register two interceptions along with four sacks, only allowing the Jets to reach the end zone one time en route to a defensive show out.
Last Word on Week 17
Overall, only one team is going to take Sunday as a meaningful game. The Jets will likely vie for a top-ten selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. They have little incentive to win other than to prevent the Patriots from securing their bye week in an easy fashion. The Patriots, however, will not only win this football game and secure their first-round bye week, but they will vault to the AFC’s top seed with the defeat of the Chiefs to the Raiders as well. Take that hot take to the bank.
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