Pats Pulpit
The Patriots continue to shift the narrative from “cute story” to “legitimate contender” and the rankings reflect the ambivalence. While the majority of NFL writers have bought in to Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel as the real deal, they’re not quite sold on the rest of the roster. Others still credit the team’s ‘soft schedule’ for the wins.
New England was so bad the last few years it’s understandable that the experts want to poke a bit at the strength of the resurgence. How solid really, is that 8-2 record? The Patriots have won seven in a row with two of those wins against the Bills — who are still favored above the Pats, despite the fact that Buffalo sits behind them in the standings — and the Buccaneers, leaders of the NFC South. No gimme-games there.
Up next the New York Jets come to Foxborough on Thursday night. Short weeks can be equalizers, and division games are a crapshoot. Just ask the Bills after whiffing to the 2-7 Dolphins last week. The Jets sent two of their top players away at the trade deadline, CB Sauce Gardner and DT Quinnen Williams, and were able to beat the Browns without them. In another blow, WR Garrett Wilson’s availability is in doubt due to re-injuring his knee. What propelled the Jets to victory was their special teams: Kene Nwangwu’s 99-yard kickoff return TD and Isaiah Williams’ 74-yard punt return TD, coming only 36 seconds apart. QB Justin Fields was awful enough against the Browns, the New York media is suggesting head coach Aaron Glenn should turn to backup Tyrod Taylor. Glenn has chosen to not entertain any questions about the quarterbacks or which one will get the nod. I’m guessing the Pats will be fine either way.
Early odds have the Patriots as 11.5 favorites but I personally wouldn’t trust the spread in a division game. Taking the not-enough-rest-and-recovery short-week into consideration I still think Patriots win handily, especially if they get on the board early and limit turnovers. Must-see TV!
GO PATS!!
Around the AFC East:
New England Patriots (8-2) vs. New York Jets (2-7)
Buffalo Bills (6-3) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)
Miami Dolphins (3-7) vs. Washington Commanders (3-7)
AFC Matchups:
Indianapolis Colts (8-2) – Bye Week
Denver Broncos (8-2) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (3-6)
Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4)
Baltimore Ravens (4-5) at Cleveland Browns (2-7)
Houston Texans (4-5) at Tennessee Titans (1-8)
Las Vegas Raiders (2-7) vs. Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1)
3rd – Nate Davis (USA Today): Coach Mike Vrabel proclaimed them “NFC South champs” after they completed a four-game sweep of the division with three touchdowns Sunday at Tampa that covered at least 50 yards. But the Pats, who have won seven straight, should have much bigger prizes in their sights. [+3]
3rd – Pete Prisco (CBS Sports): *Drake Maye for MVP. It’s possible. The schedule gets really soft the next three weeks to help bolster his...
