Kickoff: The Patriots and Jets will meet for the second time this season. The Jets beat New England 24-3 on Thursday Night Football on Sept. 19 at MetLife Stadium. The Patriots will try to avoid being swept by the Jets for the first time since the 2000 season.

Here are four keys to the game for the Patriots

1st Down: Get off to a good start and maintain it: The Patriots got off to a good start last week against the Jaguars and then proceeded to collapse in a 32-16 loss. Getting off to a good start is important but as we saw last week, if you cannot maintain a high level of play for four quarters, what good is it. The Patriots will need to play a complete game, for 60 minutes if they want to win this game.

2nd Down: Find a way to match up with their skill: Despite their record, the Jets do present a lot of match up problems with their skill group. The Patriots are going to need to find a way defensively to match up today and get pressure on Aaron Rodgers. It will not be easy. The beleaguered secondary will have to play well today if they want to win.

3rd Down: Establish the ground game: The running game has struggled of late. Going into the season, we said it was going to be essential to this team’s success. If the Patriots do not get Rhamondre Stevenson going, it will put even more pressure on Drake Maye and a passing game that lacks big play potential.

4th Down: Defensive line and EDGE rushers must get pressure on Rodgers: You saw last week in the Jets, Steelers game what pressure can do to Rodgers. Getting base pressure on opposing quarterbacks has been a problem for the Patriots this season. They have to find a way to get to Rodgers on a consistent basis and throw him off his spot. If they do not, he will once again pick them apart like he did Week 3.

Extra Point: The Jets broke a 15-game losing streak in Foxboro with a 17-3 regular season finale win at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 7, 2024. It also broke up the Patriots 14-game home winning streak against the Jets at Gillette.

New England leads the overall series 74-56-1 overall. The Patriots are 38-25-1 in regular season home games against the Jets, including 18-4 at Gillette Stadium.

Final Drive: The Patriots need a win in the worst way but it is hard if this team has what it takes to play a complete game and win. The wheels are coming off and the only to turn this thing around is a win.

Unfortunately, I do not see it happening. The Jets are better and their season is on the line. I expect them to play well and win this game, sweeping the season series from the Patriots for the first time since the 2000 season.