FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Patriots coach Mike Vrabel made sure his team took time to celebrate the narrow victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. However, he made it clear that the celebration would be more muted than usual, with only three days to recover before hosting AFC East rival New York Jets (2-7) on Thursday night.
“This is the all-hands-on-deck week,” Vrabel said.
By Tuesday, it was evident that New England (8-2) had received the message. Vrabel offered to cut 25 minutes off a team meeting to allow his players more time to recoup. He also scheduled practice inside the team’s temperature-controlled bubble on a day when the thermometer barely rose to around 40 degrees.
Their response? No, thanks.
Quarterback Drake Maye explained the reasoning simply: “To not take shortcuts. Trying not to let the little things go and know that these things will matter, (and) have mattered for us in the past and will show up again. We’re trying to make it hard to play up here in December and late in the season. I think we have the advantage. So just trying to embrace it.”
A win on Thursday would mark the Patriots’ eighth straight, extending their longest winning streak since 2021 — the last time they qualified for the playoffs. The last time they won eight consecutive games was to open the 2019 season.
A victory would also move them to 3-0 in the AFC East and help maintain their lead over defending division champion Buffalo (6-3, 2-2).
### Jets Showing Signs of Progress
After an 0-7 start to the season, the Jets have shown progress in the last two weeks, sandwiching a bye week between back-to-back wins over Cincinnati and Cleveland.
Coach Aaron Glenn downplayed the idea of chasing a three-game winning streak. “I don’t care if it’s three games, I don’t care if it’s one game, we just want to win,” he said. “And the more you win, the more confident you get as players, the more confident you get as a team, and that’s the only thing that we care about.”
### Stepping Up Amid Injuries
The Jets are likely to be without star wide receiver Garrett Wilson due to a knee injury that could sideline him for several weeks. Wilson missed the first two games of his career after initially hurting his right knee but returned last week.
Now, New York will need other players to step up and fill the void on an already struggling offense. Adonai Mitchell, acquired from Indianapolis in the trade that sent star cornerback Sauce Gardner away, was inactive last Sunday but could make his Jets debut at New England.
Other receivers on the active roster include John Metchie III (another trade deadline addition), Tyler Johnson, Allen Lazard, Arian Smith, and Isaiah Williams.
“It’s tough, but it is what it is,” quarterback Justin Fields said about not having Wilson. “There’s going to be guys that have opportunities to go make plays, but it’s definitely tough when one of your best guys on offense is out. But like I said, it’s an opportunity for some other guys to come in and make plays.”
### Big-Play Threats for the Patriots
With running back Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) and wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) both out last week against Tampa Bay, the Patriots relied on others to fill the playmaking role.
Rookie running back Tre-Veyon Henderson and receiver Kyle Williams answered the call. Henderson scored on impressive runs of 55 and 69 yards, while Williams added a 72-yard touchdown catch.
It’s the latest example of how New England has added a quick-strike dimension to its offense.
“Just making big plays. Just make it easier on the guys up front,” Maye said. “It’s hard to get explosiveness in this league. And that’s what you want, to make drives shorter. Just got to get the ball in their hands in space, and they’ll make something happen.”
### Shoulder to Shoulder: Breece Hall’s Impact
Breece Hall has been a key factor in the Jets’ two victories this season. Against Cincinnati on October 26, Hall rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns and threw the winning touchdown pass in New York’s 39-38 win.
Last Sunday, the fourth-year running back took a screen pass from Fields 42 yards for the go-ahead score in the 27-20 victory over Cleveland. Hall’s 125 total yards against the Browns accounted for 74% of the Jets’ 169 net yards.
Remarkably, he’s the only NFL player to account for at least 74% of a team’s offense in a win — and he’s done it twice.
“He’s that man,” Fields said. “It’s simple. He’s that man.”
### Big Mac’s Pass-Rushing Resurgence
Will McDonald reestablished himself as a pass-rushing force last week with a record-tying performance. The Jets’ 2023 first-round pick joined Mark Gastineau (twice) and John Abraham as the only players in franchise history to record four sacks in a single game.
McDonald, who posted a career-high 10½ sacks last season, has seven sacks this year — including five in his last two games.
“I have been relentless since the beginning of the season,” he said. “Nothing wants to stand in front of you if you keep being relentless. Eventually, they’re going to move out of the way. For me and the team, that’s all we need to keep doing, and we’ll be just fine down the line.”
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With both teams hungry for a win, Thursday night’s matchup promises intense competition as the Patriots look to strengthen their division lead and the Jets aim to build momentum.
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