Week 3 of the NFL kicks off on Thursday, September 19, on Amazon Prime, when the New England Patriots (1-1) travel to Rutherford, New Jersey to take on the New York Jets (1-1).
Both teams are looking for their second win of the season to improve their respective records to 2-1.
New England is looking to bounce back after suffering a 23-20 OT loss in Week 2 to the Seattle Seahawks. The Patriots were leading in the fourth quarter by three points, up until the final 55 seconds of regulation when Seahawks kicker Jason Myers knocked the game-tying kick through the uprights. Myers was the bane of the Patriot's existence in Week 2 when he not only sent the game to overtime with a 38-yard field goal but was able to end the contest in overtime with a 31-yard chip shot.
Jason Myers : 3/3 FG's & 2/2 on extra points (Game-winning 31-yard FG in OT) pic.twitter.com/cH2PXlnuW4
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) September 15, 2024
Myers recorded nine points against the Patriots, including the final six game-tying and winning field goals, to preserve Seattle's undefeated record and hand New England its first loss of the season.
The Patriots biggest struggle against the Seahawks was their inability to get their passing game going. New England quarterback Jacoby Brissett completed 15-27 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. Surprisingly, Brissett’s lack of passing yards was his season high, throwing 28 more yards against Seattle in Week 2 than he did against Cincinnati in Week 1.
However, even though Brissett set a season high in passing yards in Week 2, the Patriots' lack of yards through the air is clearly one of the most significant factors in scoring points. The Patriots have averaged 18 points a game this season, just over 2.5 touchdowns.
Of the 36 points scored in the Patriots two games, Brissett has only recorded a single touchdown to his name. Brissett is tied with Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Bears’ quarterback Justin Fields, Browns’ quarterback Deshaun Watson, Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Rams’ quarterback Matthew Stafford, 49ers’ quarterback Brock Purdy, and Packers’ quarterback Malik Willis.
Repost if your team is STILL undefeated! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OJ31mvU9RH
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 17, 2024
The only undefeated team with a quarterback who scored a single touchdown is the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Justin Fields. However, it is clear why the Steelers can still put points on the board when you look at kicker Chris Boswell’s statistics. Boswell has recorded 25 of the Steelers’s 31 points this season, putting the entire team on his back.
If the Patriots want to advance to 2-1 and knock off the Jets in New Jersey, Jacoby Brissett must improve his passing game and take advantage of the Jets’ defense. The Jets have allowed 24.5 points per game, more than Seattle (20.0), and Cincinnati (21.0).
Keep an eye on Brissett's ability to take advantage of the Jets' defense and air the ball out more than he has in his previous two games.
