The New England Patriots Gave the New York Jets Plenty of Ammunition Last Year
What a difference a year makes. Last season, rookie quarterback Mac Jones led the New England Patriots to the playoffs. This year, his job is on the line.
Last year, the New York Jets went 4-13 under the leadership of their rookie quarterback Zach Wilson. As they enter Week 8 of the 2022 season, they are 5-2 and face a key meeting with the Patriots for the first time in forever. If the Jets are seeking any extra motivation for Sunday’s game against their division rival, they don’t have to look too far back.
The New England Patriots face a tough test in the New York Jets
It’s not often you hear that Patriots vs. Jets is a key matchup these days. The Patriots have owned the Jets in recent memory, but that could be about to change.
The surging Jets ride a four-game win streak into Sunday’s home game against the Patriots. New England is reeling after an embarrassing 33-14 Monday Night Football loss to the Chicago Bears. The Patriots are 3-4 and sit in last place by themselves in the AFC East.
For New England, this was supposed to be the softest part of their schedule. After opening at 1-3 with four tough games, the Patriots had the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Bears, Jets, Indianapolis Colts, and Jets next on the list. They took care of the Lions and Browns, and they did so with rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe leading the way. Zappe filled in for an injured Jones, causing some to question which quarterback is best suited to lead the way.
After falling flat against the Bears, the Pats face the Jets twice in their next three games. It’s no longer a gimme, especially after New England’s poor showing Monday.
The Jets haven’t lost since Week 3 at the Cincinnati Bengals. During their current four-game win streak, they posted three of those victories on the road.
The Patriots gave the Jets some extra motivation last year
It’s tough to consider the Patriots and Jets rivals since it’s been a one-sided affair recently, but they’re in the same division, and that makes Sunday’s meeting interesting. It’s also intriguing because of what the Patriots did to the Jets a year ago.
In their second meeting last season, former Patriots star Richard Seymour was honored at halftime of the game. He told the crowd how Patriots coach Bill Belichick called him to tell him he was being inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. He asked Seymour which game he would like to be honored at.
“I told him I wanted to come to our homecoming game against the Jets,” Seymour told the crowd that game, per The New York Post.
The Patriots embarrassed the Jets 54-13 that game and began a seven-game win streak. It’s all still fresh in the mind of the Jets.
“We’ve got a good memory,” defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins said after Sunday’s Jets win over the Denver Broncos. “It wasn’t that long ago. We’re aware of it. At the end of the day, they’re the next team on the schedule. It’s a division team. Nothing would be greater than starting off 2-0 in the division.”
Jets coach Robert Saleh understandably wasn’t too happy after that blowout loss.
“They punched us in the freaking mouth and scored points, so credit to them,” he said. “That’s it. I mean, I’ve been in part of some of those in my life. They just don’t feel good.”
You can bet the Jets have revenge on their minds heading into Week 8.
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