Jets vs. Patriots: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

Week 2 in the NFL begins with a classic AFC East skirmish between the New York Jets and New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Thursday night. 

Both teams won their openers. 

New York's victory was a surprise to most outside the organization. Rookie Geno Smith didn't look good in the preseason and missed valuable playing time while dealing with a minor injury, but he performed admirably against the improved secondary of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

And, even though the Jets won because Lavonte David didn't know when to ease up off the gas pedal, hitting Smith out of bounds with seconds left on the clock, a win is a win. 

For the Patriots, the only surprise was the close nature of their victory. Many experts expected the Bills to get crushed by New England, but Buffalo almost shocked this team. 

Tom Brady is going to have to work some magic, because his top receiving threats, Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski, are both listed as doubtful on the injury report. After losing running back Shane Vereen until at least Week 11, the Patriots are thin at all the skill positions on offense.

Here's a look at when and where you can catch the action.

When: Thursday, Sept. 12, at 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass. 

Watch: NFL Network

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

Betting Lines (via Covers) 

• Over/Under: 43.5 pts.
• Spread: New England (-11.5)

Jets Injury Report (via Patriots.com) 

Out

Quinton Coples	DL	Ankle (DNP)
Jeremy Kerley	WR	Concussion (DNP)
Mark Sanchez	QB	Right Shoulder (DNP)

Probable

Jeff Cumberland	TE	Chin (LP)
Kennrick Ellis	DL	Back (LP)
Santonio Holmes	WR	Foot (LP)
Nick Mangold	OL	Elbow (LP)
Sheldon Richardson	DL	Shoulder (LP)
Kellen Winslow	TE	Knee (DNP)
Nick Bellore	LB	Oblique (FP)
Willie Colon	OL	Knee (FP)
Antonio Cromartie	DB	Hip (FP)
Clyde Gates	WR	Knee (FP)
Damon Harrison	LB	Knee (FP)
Stephen Hill	WR	Knee (FP)
Ben Ijalana	OL	Knee (FP)
Chris Ivory	RB	Thumb (FP)
Garrett McIntyre	LB	Ribs (FP)
Dee Milliner	DB	Hip (FP)
Bilal Powell	RB	Shoulder (FP)
Geno Smith	QB	Ankle (FP)

Patriots Injury Report (via Patriots.com) 

Out

Shane Vereen

RB

Wrist (DNP)

Doubtful

Danny Amendola	WR	Groin (LP)
Rob Gronkowski	TE	Back/Forearm (LP)

Questionable

Brandon Bolden	RB	Knee (LP)
Aaron Dobson	WR	Hamstring (LP)
Nate Ebner	DB	Ankle (LP)
Duron Harmon	DB	Hamstring (LP)
Matthew Slater	WR	Knee (LP)
Zach Sudfeld	TE	Hamstring (LP)
Will Svitek	OL	Knee (LP)
Leon Washington	RB	Thigh (LP)

Probable

Marquice Cole	CB	Hamstring (FP)
Alfonzo Dennard	CB	Ankle (FP)
Stevan Ridley	RB	Shoulder (FP)

Can Geno Smith Beat Tom Brady?

The Jets stymied Josh Freeman last week, and he finished the game having completed less than half his passes for 210 yards with one touchdown and one interception. 

Despite dealing with a rash of injuries and a bunch of unheralded youngsters, Brady won't struggle like Freeman did—especially playing in front of his home crowd. 

In order for the Jets to win at Gillette Stadium, Smith must be able to match Brady on Thursday night, but it won't be easy. New England's defense has forced at least one turnover in 28 straight games, as noted by Michael Whitmer of the Boston Globe:

New England's front seven can get after the quarterback, which oftentimes leads to turnovers. It's hard to imagine the Patriots failing to take this streak to 29 games this week. 

Prediction

Even though New England's offense is depleted, the home team should win easily. 

The Patriots shut down C.J. Spiller last week, and the Jets struggled to rush the ball against the Buccaneers. Without a strong running game to balance out New York's offense, Smith will be put in a difficult situation against a turnover-happy defense. 

Stevan Ridley will bounce back with a big game after getting benched for fumbling in Week 1, and the Patriots will run up the score against their divisional rivals.

Final Score 

Patriots win 31-17

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