NFL Picks - Week 2 - Thursday Edition

Jets @ Patriots

Not a great week one for me (more on that Sunday), but I did get the Thursday game right.  Hey, I even got Demaryius Thomas’ 2 TDs right, but the game wasn’t as close as I thought it would be.  I think tonight’s game will be different.  If you’ve listened to five minutes of sports talk radio this week you are well aware that the Patriots lack offensive weapons.  They were already without Gronk and lost Shane Vereen last week for at least the next ten.  Danny Amendola is out at least this game and probably longer, and Zach Sudfeld probably isn’t playing tonight.  Who is?  Expect to see a lot of Julian Edelman and Kenbrell Thompkins through the air and Stevan Ridley on the ground.  They’d be wise to make use of Leon Washington in the Woodhead/Ridley role. 

The Patriots didn’t exactly shut down the Bills and their rookie QB last week, and I don’t expect them to shutout the Jets and their rookie QB.  New York doesn’t have many offensive weapons either, but that’s because they’re not any good; not because players are hurt.  I expect to see a close, low-scoring, relatively boring game tonight.  Bill Belichick knows that he doesn’t need to throw the kitchen sink at the Jets to beat them, and he wants his players to be as healthy as possible heading into the ten day break before their next game.  Thompkins, Leon, and Ridley score for the Patriots, and I predict the first in-game “Buff Fumble” reference will occur in the first seven minutes of the first quarter.  Geno Smith’s ability to extend drives with his legs will keep the Jets in this one. 

Patriots 24

Jets 20