Patriots Scheduled For 2023 ‘Game Of Year’?
The New England Patriots will be featured in one of the biggest NFL games of the year in Week 3. With the longest-active winning streak over one opponent on the line, the Patriots will travel to face the new-look New York Jets and quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Patriots have not lost to the Jets since 2015, an impressive seven-year winning streak totaling 14 victories against the AFC East foe.
Sports Illustrated ranked the 10 best games of the 2023 NFL season and Patriots vs. Jets is the top game:
I think that, internally, the Jets view Patriots games as a bit of a litmus test for the legitimacy of a given campaign. Never mind Bill Belichick’s personal animus toward the franchise; he is always well prepared and knows his opponents intimately.
Within those losses are some emotional haymakers, such as the Sam Darnold “seeing ghosts” game and the punchless affair in Foxborough last year that resulted in Zach Wilson’s seemingly eschewing responsibility for the offense’s performance (in reality, the situation was far more complicated and nuanced than that, and I think Wilson deserves some sympathy). The Darnold ghosts game was a 33–0 loss, and there are three others with greater margins of victory in that span.
So, the Jets would like nothing more than to heave that log off their chests and notch a victory against an opponent that has psychologically resided without rent in their collective headspace.
This year brings a big difference in four-time NFL MVP Rodgers. Rodgers made three starts against the Patriots during his 18-year career in Green Bay, including a 251-yard, two-touchdown outing last October in a 27-24 win.
Linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley declared that the Patriots "have no choice" but to be prepared for Rodgers' arrival. He did, however, predict that New England's developing group can have a little fun with it along the way.
"He’s definitely going to add some things to the Jets as far as their offense is concerned," Bentley said to NESN. "Hands down, it’s going to be a hell of an opportunity for us to go against him twice a year. But if you ask us, we’re excited about the opportunity."
A division win in at MetLife Stadium would go a long way for Mac Jones and New England. The Patriots finished the 2022 season with an 8-9 record and currently have the worst odds to win the AFC East Division.
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