The Jets are lacking energy, while the Patriots are struggling.
What used to be a battle for dominance in the AFC East now feels more like a review for soft pillows.
The New York Jets (2-5) are coming off four straight losses and will head to New England to face the Patriots, who have lost six games in a row. Even after firing coach Robert Saleh, the Jets haven’t been able to shake off their slump since their last win—a 24-3 victory over the Patriots more than a month ago.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers mentioned that he felt the team’s energy was low in their 37-15 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday night, and newly signed receiver Davante Adams voiced his frustrations in the locker room after the game.
“Whatever was going on on game day, we all didn’t maybe have the same type of spirit that we usually do,” Rodgers said this week. “I just took it on me. I’ve got to lead with that type of joy and energy each week, so that it gives permission for everybody to enjoy themselves a little bit more.”
The Patriots (1-6) fired their six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick after a 4-13 season last year, and Jerod Mayo hasn’t been able to make any improvements. After a 32-16 loss in London to Jacksonville, a team that had only one win before the game, Mayo described his team as “soft across the board.”
“It’s got to challenge you,” said tight end Hunter Henry. “This is a physical game, and you never want that to be our identity, at all. That’s a big challenge for us. I’ve looked at myself in the mirror, and I think everybody else will look at themselves. You never want to be identified that way.”
