Patriots vs Jets: Belichick vs Zach Wilson a key matchup in Week 8 battle
That dominance New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick once had when going up against young quarterbacks in the NFL is long gone, especially when it comes to mobile quarterbacks.
Patriots fans saw it this past Monday night with Justin Fields and have watched quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen have their way with Belichick’s defense lately.
That could be more of a personnel issue, but Belichick has struggled against quarterbacks who could both run and pass the ball. Guess what, the Patriots are going up against another quarterback capable in Zach Wilson.
In a season where there are no gimmies for the Patriots, Wilson’s struggles against the Patriots in his rookie season could either continue or the New York Jets can take a page out of the Buffalo Bills page and mimic the success of Allen. Of course, that’s easier said than done as Wilson is not on Allen’s level nor does he have the weapons around him to answer whatever the Patriots’ defense throws at him.
New England Patriots defense have to make Zach Wilson beat them
While the Patriots have their own question marks at quarterback, the play of Wilson will be key in this Week 8 matchup against the sudden playoff contending Jets. Although their running game took a major blow with the loss of outstanding rookie running back Breece Hall, don’t expect them to shy away from the run and gear the offense towards Wilson’s strength.
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The goal for Belichick’s squad will be to limit the run and make Wilson beat them with his arm. Despite success last year, the New England Patriots coach knows Sunday will be a challenge going up against an improved Jets’ offense let by the second-year quarterback.
"“He’s played well,” Belichick told the media on Wednesday. “I don’t know you’d have to talk to them about it. I couldn’t give you a percentage or anything. He’s good. He’s got better players around him. He’s playing well. The team’s playing well. Great running back. [Breece] Hall’s had tremendous production coming into after six games or whatever it was. I know he got hurt last week but had a big play in that game that helped them to win the game. So, they’ve got a lot of good players. Wilson’s played good.”"
The Jets are not a team that will light up the scoreboard, but neither was the Chicago Bears who put up 33 against a Patriots’ defense that was trending as a very good defense. It will be shocking if a Belichick coached defense lay back-to-back eggs, but then again it was the defense that faltered down the stretch last season.
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In a must win game against a division rival, expect Belichick to throw everything at Wilson. If he makes mistakes, the Patriots will be in good position to win the game. If he makes Belichick pay with his arm and scrambling ability, then it will be a long day for the Patriots. It really is as simple as that.