There are not many compelling reasons to watch the New York Jets (1-4) take on the New England Patriots (2-4) in Foxborough on Sunday afternoon.
As a long-suffering Jets fan, I already know how this story goes.
The Patriots have won 11 straight games against New York. New England has won 20 of the last 24 matchups between these two teams.
The last time Gang Green actually won at Gillette Stadium was the AFC Divisional playoff game in 2011. The NY Jets have not won a regular-season game in New England since 2008.
Only a self-loathing Jets fan or an NJ sports gambler looking to cash in on New York’s misery will be tuning in at 1 p.m. Yours truly is both.
After another tough week, my Jets betting bankroll is -$17.90.
Without further ado, here are my five $5 Jets bets for Week 7.
Coming up empty for reasons
I spent all week trying to find a reason the Jets would win this game.
But, c’mon. Those numbers above speak for themselves
Even if you want to make the argument that most of those losses came at the hands of the G.O.A.T, the Hoodie is still scowling on the sideline.
When these two AFC East rivals met in Week 2 at MetLife Stadium, Jets rookie QB Zach Wilson threw four interceptions. Gang Green did not find the endzone the entire game, settling for a field goal in each half.
Pats 25. Jets 6.
Nothing would make me happier than a NYJ win on Sunday. Losing this bet would not bother me in the least.
I’m taking the Patriots moneyline at -300 odds on Fox Bet NJ.
Divisional games are unpredictable
Despite obvious reservations about the Jets winning outright, the game could be close.
The Jets have, historically, shown a tendency to play the Pats tough in at least one of the teams’ two annual meetings.
Gang Green is rested, too. The Jets had a bye last week after a brutal loss in Week 5 to the Atlanta Falcons in London.
The Patriots lost an overtime game at home last week to the Dallas Cowboys. They could be emotionally spent. And, it’s probably hard to get up for the lowly Jets after going toe-to-toe with a really good team.
I could see a game where the Pats are overlooking the Jets a bit. NY starts fast and takes an early lead. NE gets it together by the third quarter and wins.
An alternate spread of Jets +4.5 points at +115 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook feels reasonable.
Can the Jets take a halftime lead in New England?
Coming off a bye week, no one really knows what first-year head coach Robert Saleh’s squad will look like. Will the Jets be energized and focused? Or slow and flat?
Based on how things have gone this season, the latter is more likely.
However, I’m going to choose to have faith in Saleh’s game plan.
He is a defensive coach going up against a rookie quarterback for the second time. I expect Saleh and the defensive coaching to have something up their sleeves for Patriots QB Mac Jones.
If all goes well, perhaps Wilson and the offense can take advantage of extra possessions generated by the defense. Maybe it leads to some early points.
Here’s to hoping the Jets can solve their first-half offensive woes this week.
I think the green and white will lead at the half before losing. The double result of NYJ/NE is +500 at Caesars Sportsbook.
Stupid is as stupid does as a Jets fan
Sometimes it can be hard to explain the choices we make. Like, voluntarily rooting for the New York Jets.
I mean, what kind of fool would spend hard-earned money on NYJ tickets and merchandise? Oh.
When it comes to NJ sports betting — or any gambling for that matter — not having a sound rationale for doing something is, well, stupid.
See where I’m going here?
My decision-making is already questionable. So, if the shoes fits …
For no other reason than I desperately want to see this happen, I’m putting money down that the New York Jets will score in every quarter on Sunday.
FanDuel Sportsbook is offering that prop at +440 odds and gleefully taking my $5.
Get Crowder the ball, please
Most of America has not been watching NYJ football games the last few years. No explanation is needed.
For those of us unfortunate souls who have been subjected to Jets football, there has been one (semi) bright spot: Jamison Crowder.
The Jets do not have a superstar player on the 53-man roster. But, since 2019, the 5-foot-9, 177-pound wide receiver has been the Jets best player.
Last year, Crowder averaged 11.8 yards per catch and had six touchdowns.
Wilson and Crowder have developed some chemistry this season, but not much. Crowder has only played in two games. He has 11 receptions and one TD.
If the Jets have any chance of catching the Pats off guard on Sunday, Crowder will have to be involved early.
Maybe the game’s first touchdown scorer?
Bet365 Sportsbook posted +1400 odds for the player prop. I had some free money to play with there, so I’m taking the chance.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig