Geoff JohnsonA divisional AFC East matchup take the stage this Sunday at 1 PM ET when the New England Patriots visit the NY Jets at MetLife Stadium, in week 7 of the NFL 2013 season.
The Pats are 5-1, and barely escaped with a victory last week after a winning TD pass from Tom Brady to Kenbrell Thompkins, in the last seconds against the New Orleans Saints.
“A lot of teams face challenges. It’s just really how you deal with them,” Brady said. “We’ve lost some guys, dealt with some issues, like every other team. We’re handling them OK. We’re 5-1. It’s a decent start.”
For this week, the biggest difference will be that Brady finally will have his favorite target available. The team doctor cleared TE Rob Gronkowski to play for the first time this season.
“I’m just improving every week, that’s all, really,” he said. “I mean, like I said nothing’s changed, man, and nothing has changed the whole time. And just the one thing that has changed actually is that I’m improving every week, and it’s going good.”
The Jets lost to the Steelers last week with rookie QB Geno Smith throwing three interceptions in the contest; he has seven TDs and 10 interceptions and has multiple turnovers in four of the last five games this season.
“Obviously, we have to get better,” coach Rex Ryan said, “and that’s where our focus is going to be.”
The NY Jets are 2-12 ATS in their last 14 games when playing at home against New England. The Patriots are 15-6-2 ATS in their last 23 games on the road.
The betting odds have New England as a 3.5 favorite with the game total at 43.5.
