5 bold predictions for the Patriots against the Jets

3. The Patriots secondary will have a big day

Zach Wilson struggled in the first half against the Panthers and their dynamic young defense. While he shook it off and rebounded in the second half, it won’t be easy for the rookie out of BYU to solve the puzzle known was Bill Belichick’s defense.

While the Panthers defense is very solid, they are also very young and don’t quite compare to what Belichick will throw at Wilson and the Jets offense. Plus, rookie quarterbacks don’t have a great track record against New England in the Belichick era.

The Jets receivers definitely got better in the offseason by adding Corey Davis and drafting Elijah Moore out of Ole Miss, but it still feels like they have yet to find a true No. 1 target.

J.C. Jackson will be a big factor, as will Devin McCourty and Jonathan Jones, who picked off Tua Tagovailoa in Week 1.

The talent in the Patriots secondary outweighs that of the Jets wide receivers. The Jets are going to take their shots downfield, and they may even hit on a select few of them.

That said, the secondary for New England, even without Stephon Gilmore, is very good. Eventually, they are going to make a game-changing play that puts their offense into position to win the game.

It will just come down to Jones and the offense showing whether or not they can take advantage of those extra opportunities. Regardless, expect a big day from the Patriots secondary against Zach Wilson.