It doesn't get any easier for the Jets to right their ship when they take on New England at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Josh McCown, who gets the nod from head coach Todd Bowles at quarterback with Sam Darnold out still working through his foot strain, captured why the Patriots have proved such a tough nut to crack over the years.
"They are just fundamentally sound, they are well-coached, they will be where they are supposed to be and they play hard," McCown said. "I think that's what has allowed them to play at a high level all these years. You always have your hands full when you are playing against them."
It might seem a difficult task for the 3-7 Jets, after having the bye week to mull over their low-point loss to the Bills, to take down the 7-3 Patriots. But this is the NFL, which Jerry Glanville famously said stands for Not For Long, and that applies not just to job tenure but to all winning and losing streaks. And the Jets have fared well at home against their longtime AFC East rivals in recent years.
Here are seven more points of interest for Sunday's Jets-Patriots game at MetLife (kickoff at 1:02 p.m. ET):
1. Home Fire
The rivalry has been one-sided since, oh, about 2001, but as one would expect, the Green & White play the Red, White & Blue much better at their place. The Jets' all-time regular-season home record is 29-28, and they've won four of the last nine and two of the last five. Those two wins were the walkoff overtime successes in 2013 (Nick Folk's second-chance 42-yard FG) and '15 (Ryan Fitzpatrick's 6-yard toss to Eric "Meadowlands Leap" Decker). And in the last five at MetLife, the Jets have been outscored 110-106, hold a 106-105 first-down edge and have outgained the Pats by 59.4 yards/game.
Take a Look Through Top Photos from the AFC East Rivalry
New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of New England Patriots' Malcolm Butler (21) during the overtime period of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 26-20. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New England Patriots linebacker Roman Phifer, center, and Lawyer Milloy (36) bring down New York Jets' Curtis Martin (28) in the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 23, 2001, in Foxboro, Mass. The Jets won 10-3. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New York Jets Larry Grantham (60) during a game against the Boston Patriots on October 26,1969 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The New York Jets beat the Boston Patriots 23-17. Larry Grantham played for 13 season all with the New York Jets and was a 5-time Pro Bowler.(David Durochik via AP)
New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes makes a touchdown catch in front of New England Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington during the second half of an NFL divisional football playoff game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Jets safety Jim Leonhard celebrates beating the New England Patriots during a NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday September 20, 2009 (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Jets Emerson Boozer (32) during a game against the Boston Patriots on October 26,1969 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The New York Jets beat the Boston Patriots 23-17. Emerson Boozer played for 10 season all with the Jets and was a 2-time Pro BowlerNew York Jets Emerson Boozer (32) and Boston Patriots John Charles (25) during a game against the Boston Patriots on October 26,1969 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The New York Jets beat the Boston Patriots 23-17. Emerson Boozer played for 10 season all with the Jets and was a 2-time Pro Bowler.(David Durochik via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan is dropped behind the line of scrimmage by New York Jets Lawrence Pillers, right, in the fourth quarter of their game at Shea Stadium in New York, Dec. 10, 1979. Jets quashed Pats playoff hopes, 27-16. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
New York Jets Joe Klecko has New England Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan on the run during first quarter action at Schaefer Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Nov. 15, 1981. (AP Photo/Paul Benoit)
New England Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson (52) assists in stopping New York Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet (80) during an NFL game at the Meadowland in East Rutherford, N.J., Sept. 11, 2000. The Jets defeated the Patriots 20-19. (AP Photo/NFL Photos/Evan Pinkus)
New York Jets Al Toon (88) gets a pass from teammate Ken O'Brien and turns things upside down for New England Patriots Steve Nelson (57) during the first half of the game at New Jersey's Giants Stadium, Nov. 24, 1985. The Jets stayed above the Pats to win 16-13. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)
Alabama All-American Joe Namath (12) pivots to handoff to former Princeton halfback Cosmo Iacavazzi (31) as the two New York Jets rookies make their pro debut against the Boston Patriots in Lowell, Mass., July 29, 1965. Namath, making his first start after knee surgery, led the Jets to a 23-6 victory by tossing two touchdown passes. (AP Photo/J. Walter Green)
FILE - In this Sept. 26, 1993, file photo, New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drew Bledsoe (11) gets sacked by New York Jets free safety Ronnie Lott (42), who stripped away the ball and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Jets, in the second quarter of an NFL game in East Rutherford, N.J. Bledsoe and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Rick Mirer were drafted back-to-back as No. 1 and 2. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
New England Patriots quarterback Hugh Millen is sacked by Scott Mersereau (94) and Marvin Washington (97) of the New York Jets for a loss of nine yards during the second quarter of their NFL game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Oct. 5, 1992. The Jets got their first win of the season, beating the win-less Patriots, 30-21. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason (7) sets up to pass during an NFL game against the New England Patriots, Oct. 16, 1994. The Jets defeated the Patriots 24-17 at Giants Stadium. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
New York Jets safety Eric Smith (33) and linebacker David Harris (52) tackle New England Patriots' BenJarvus Green-Ellis during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards (17) is tackled by New England Patriots cornerback Darius Butler (28) after a catch during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Jets linebacker David Harris (52) returns an interception against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller celebrates with fans after the Jets' 28-21 win over the New England Patriots in an NFL divisional playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Jets Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath (12) turns to handoff to running back Emerson Boozer (32) during game against the New England Patriots, Oct. 15, 1972. The Jets defeated the Patriots 41-13 at Schaefer Stadium. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
New York Jets' Antonio Cromartie (31) makes an interception and is tackled by New England Patriots' Randy Moss (81) trails the play during the third quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis celebrates his team's 28-21 win over the New England Patriots in an NFL divisional playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (89) gets the ball into the end zone as he is hit by New England Patriots cornerback Deltha O'Neal during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Tommy Funchess (73) of the Boston Patriots closes in on New York Jets' John Sample (24) after he recovered a fumble by Patriots R.C. Gamble in first half action in Birmingham on Sept. 22, 1968. The Jets managed a field goal as a result of the fumble. (AP Photo/Charles Kelly)
New England Patriots' Devin McCourty (32) and Pat Chung (25) chase New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson (21) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) intercepts the ball as New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss (81) attempts to catch the pass from teammate Tom Brady during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Jets running back Leon Washington (29) breaks a tackle by New England Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas (96) while rushing the ball during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New England Patriots' BenJarvus Green-Ellis (42) is tackled by New York Jets' David Harris (52) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets Al Toon, dark jersey, is tackled by New England Patriots Fred Marion, left, and Ernest Gibson during first quarter action at Sullivan Stadium, Foxboro, Mass., Oct. 12, 1986. (AP Photo/Jim MacMillan)
Ron Berger (88), Boston Patriots end, pushes aside a New York Jets blocker to get at Lee White, carrying ball, for a gain in third quarter of their game at Harvard Stadium, Sept. 27, 1970, Boston, Mass. Jets won 31-21. The rest of the players are unidentified. (AP Photo/LG)
New York Jets running back Kevan Barlow (32) gets by New England Patriots linebacker Rosevelt Colvin (59) as Barlow picks up a first down during fourth quarter action of their football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006. The Jets defeated the Patriots 17-14. Jets guard Brandon Moore (65) follows the play at left. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New York Jets safety Kerry Rhodes (25) celebrates a fourth quarter interception by teammate Eric Coleman (26) during the Jets 17-14 win over the New England Patriots in a NFL game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Jets running back Curtis Martin (28) stiff-arms and gets away from New England Patriots defender Chris Slade (53) as he gains yardage during first half NFL action at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 15, 2000. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New York Jets place kicker Jay Feely (3) is mobbed by teammates as Brad Smith (16) celebrates while New England Patriots Mike Vrabel, right, walks off the field after Feely's winning field goal in overtime won the game 34-31 in an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass. Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits on the ground as the New York Jets walk off the field after Brady was sacked on the last play of the football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006. The Jets defeated the Patriots 17-14 as the Pats lost their second straight home game. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New York Jets defensive end Joe Klecko (73) sheds the block of Patriots offensive tackle Dwight Wheeler in a 24 to 28 New England Patriots loss to the New York Jets on Oct. 11, 1981 at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Boston Patriot Sid Blanks (22) is tackled by New York Jet Mike Battle while running back the first period kickoff during game at Shea Stadium, Sunday Nov. 23, 1970, New York. Jets won a 17-3 victory. The rest of the players are unidentified. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles, right, catches a pass in the end zone behind New England Patriots cornerback Leonard Myers (25) and safety Victor Green (27) in the first quarter in Foxboro, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002. (AP Photo/Jim Rogash)
New York Jets running back Curtis Martin rushes for 17 yards and a first down in the first quarter against the New England Patriots Sunday, Dec. 27, 1998 in East Rutherford, N.J. Martin rushed 29 times for 102 yards in the Jets 31-10 victory.(AP Photo/John Dunn)
New England Patriots' Richard Seymour (93) and Rosevelt Colvin, center, pursue New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington (10) as Pennington runs the ball in for a touchdown in the second quarter, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Foxboro, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New York Jets cornerback Ty Law (24) defends against Deion Branch during the first half of their NFL game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) celebrates with fans after catching a pass for a touchdown during the overtime period of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots unday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 26-20. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
2. The Third Degree
With either McCown or Darnold, one thing the QB will need to address is the Jets' 32nd-ranked third-down offense, converting at 28.8%. OC Jeremy Bates' view of the problem: "We've got to get manageable down and distance. Having better execution on first and second down will help." In the first 10 games the Jets' average third-down distance was 7.95 yards, on pace for their longest since averaging third-and-8.07 in 1997. These are different teams than 2017, of course, but perhaps with McCown taking the snaps, he can rekindle the spark that enabled him and the Jets to convert nine of 17 third downs vs. the Pats in last year's 24-17 home loss.
3. The Brady File
What more can be said about Tom Brady? DC Kacy Rodgers: "I've faced him about 23 times in the last 12 years and it's just like he gets better with age." TB's numbers are very good but not great as in recent years. He hasn't had as low a passer rating (94.7) or TD/INT ratio (17/7) since 2013; as low plays/drive (5.9) or yards/drive (34.9) metrics since '15. Plus he's on the Pats' injury report with a knee injury, perhaps suffered at the end of the third catch of his NFL career last week. Something, though, tells us Brady will play and he'll be very Brady against the Jets, whom he's beaten 12 of 16 times as a starter in the Meadowlands.
4. Titanic Effort
How did Tennessee send New England on a one-game skid, that 34-10 surprise two weeks ago? "They made more plays," said Bowles, "that was really it." Specifically, the Titans started fast (17-3 first-quarter lead), ran much better (150 yards to 40), had better field position (plus-10-yard margin in average drive start) and played strong third-down defense (NE was 3-for-15). The Patriots also were "Gronk-less" as TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle/back) sat out his second straight game. Considering he has 60 catches for 738 yards and eight TDs in 13 career games vs. the Jets, they wouldn't mind if he rested again. Like Brady, not likely.
5. Defensive Game Plan
Gronk or no Gronk, it will take a well-coordinated defensive effort to keep Brady & Co. under wraps. As MLB Avery Williamson suggested, it could start with something the Titans did well, which was to snuff the run, then bring pressure up the middle and keep Brady on the move and "uncomfortable back there." He'll certainly find favorite WR Julian Edelman (averaging eight catches for 93 yards the past three games) but CB Morris Claiborne (tied for the NFL lead with 13 pass defenses), S Jamal Adams and the secondary need to keep a lid on late-September WR acquisition Josh Gordon, who has three 40-yards-plus catches the past four games.
6. Stop the Skid
Whatever you prefer to point at for the recent downturn, the bottom line is that many things going well for the Jets in their .500 start stopped going well in their current losing streak. After 15 takeaways and a plus-3 turnover margin in the first six games, they've had no TAs and a minus-10 margin the last four. After scoring 17 touchdowns in the first six games, they've scored four in the last four. As a result, they haven't even held a lead in the last four games. The last time they didn't lead for five straight games was in 2007. As Williamson said after the Bills game, "We definitely want to come out here and prove we're not that type of team."
7. Wind at Their Backs?
The forecast (temps in the 50s, light winds) may be agreeable for Jason Myers and Stephen Gostkowski to bomb their kickoffs through the end zones and hold the other team's top returners at bay. If the kickoffs are shorter, either the Patriots' Cordarrelle Patterson (30.9 yard/return, No. 1 in the NFL) or the Jets' Andre Roberts (24.1, seventh) could provide a field position edge for his team. Jets STC Brant Boyer says he's been on his coverage unit for relaxing on rundowns due to Myers' touchback abilities. If that happens this week, it could be costly because he says of Patterson: "I think he's the best kick returner in the game."
