Throughout the season, NewYorkJets.com will provide a stock report surrounding the Jets' matchup.
This week's report will preview which players and/or themes are trending for Week 3 as the Green & White will host the New England Patriots Thursday at 8:15p.m at MetLife Stadium.
📈 RG Alijah Vera-Tucker
Jets RG Alijah Vera-Tucker led all guards in the NFL with an 87 pass-block grade in Week 2, according to Pro Football Focus. Vera-Tucker made a pivotal block that helped spring RB Braelon Allen for the game-winning touchdown, Allen's second of the day.
"He's getting back into it," HC Robert Saleh said of Vera-Tucker, who ruptured his Achilles tendon in Week 5 last season. "He was a lot better against Tennessee than he was in Week 1, but other than that, he's getting better."
When Vera-Tucker, the No. 14 overall pick in 2021, is on the field the Jets average 4.95 yards per rush over the last two seasons, which is a top-three average in the NFL. Without him in the lineup, the offense averages 3.77 yards per rush, a bottom-three average.
📈 New England in the Trenches
The Patriots, through two games, have been impressive up front on both sides of the ball. They have the No. 4-rated rushing offense (177.5 yards per game), led by RB Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson's 201 rushing yards rank fifth in the NFL, but his 4.4 yards per rush ranks No. 25. His teammate, Antonio Gibson, is second among RBs with a 6.3 average ,but No. 27 with 114 yards.
"They have some really good offensive linemen, some big guys up front," said LB C.J. Mosley, whose status for Thursday's game is up in the air because of a toe injury. "If they get going forward, it's hard to stop them. The running backs are both great. Obviously we know Stevenson really well. The Patriots are going to run the ball whether they're winning or losing. They're not going to get away from their run game. That's part of the Patriots MO. Coach [Jerod] Mayo is cut from the same cloth as Coach [Bill] Belichick.
"We know it's going to be a dogfight, so finish when the time comes."
On defense, New England has held its opponent to an average of 58 yards on the ground, second-best in the NFL. Jets RB Breece Hall, however, will be the most talented back the Pats defense has lined up against this season.
"Very physical," said Hall, who had 178 rushing yards against New England in Week 18 last season. "They stay true to what they do and you have to out-physical them. When they do slip up, you have to make the plays you have to make."
📉 Patriots Pass Defense
New England hasn't had the same success stopping the pass as stopping the run. The Patriots have the league's No. 27 pass defense, allowing an average 233 passing yards per game. Last week, Seahawks QB Geno Smith threw for 327 yards and 1 touchdown. Wide receivers D.K. Metcalf and Jackson Smith-Njigba combined for 22 receptions, 246 yards and 1 touchdown.
📉 Jets Penalties
The Green & White were penalized 7 times for 70 yards in the 24-17 win over the Titans in Week 2, which were 15-yard infractions. The Jets offense was flagged for delay of game once and was nearly called a couple other times, but HC Robert Saleh called a timeout prior to the play clock expiring .
"That was embarrassing," QB Aaron Rodgers said of the operation postgame. "I got some excuses for sure. They're not very good. I'll just leave it at that. That was on me. I felt good Week 1. We didn't have any close to that, but this week we had a couple. Robert [Saleh] saved my ass a couple times. Yeah, it's frustrating."
Breece Hall added Tuesday: "We just think we can get in and out of the huddle faster. Post play, run to the huddle, get lined up and let Aaron do what he does. I think that'll be a big part of it and from there we'll be fine."
