'Very Underrated!' Jets Coach Praises Patriots Defense

New York Jets coach Robert Saleh believes the New England Patriots have one of the NFL's best defenses.

The New England Patriots (0-2) are set for their second consecutive AFC East matchup this Sunday when they travel to MetLife Stadium, where the New York Jets (1-1) await.

Both of the Patriots' losses have come down to the closing minutes, overcoming slow starts to march their way back before ultimately coming up short in defeats to the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins.

A key factor behind New England's late-game surges is strong second-half defensive performances, as it's allowed only 16 points over the final 30 minutes in each of the past two games.

The Patriots are led defensively by outside linebacker Matthew Judon (two sacks and four quarterback hits), linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (15 tackles) and rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez (one interception, one sack and two passes defended).

Thus far, New England ranks around mid-pack in most defensive categories, including total yards (No. 14 at 320 yards per game) and points (No. 17 at 24.5 points per game).

But Jets coach Robert Saleh knows his offense, led by quarterback Zach Wilson, is facing a difficult test with the Patriots' defense.

"Defensively, they have one of the top units in football," Saleh said. "Very underrated unit. Philadelphia is an explosive offense and they held them down. Same thing with Miami. It's a much better football team than people give it credit for and it's going to be a challenge Sunday."

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The Patriots entered this season planning on facing Aaron Rodgers under center for the Jets, but a season-ending Achilles injury after just four snaps in Week 1 thrust Wilson back into the role.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick dubbed Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, a "really athletic quarterback" with a talented supporting cast, headlined by receivers Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard and running backs Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook.

The Jets are coming off a 30-10 loss at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys during which Wilson completed only 12 of 27 passes for 180 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.

As a result, New York is expected to rely heavily on Hall and Cook this Sunday ... and the "very underrated" New England defense may have its hands full, per Belichick.

"Both (are) really good," Belichick said. "They both can create explosive plays. It's like any other running game, backs need space to run. So, if we do a good job defending the plays, then there will be less space for the backs, no matter who it is. If those guys get into space, then there will be a problem."

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and the rest of the offense will dominate storylines, but Week 3's deciding factor could come down to how "one of the top" defenses in the league handles a problematic rushing attack.

The answer will be in soon enough, with kickoff between the Jets and Patriots set for 1 p.m. EST.