Thursday Night Football Week 7: TV Schedule, Live Stream for Jets vs. Patriots

Two AFC East foes heading in wildly different directions steal the Thursday Night Football spotlight this week when the New England Patriots play host to the New York Jets in Foxborough. 

Tom Brady and the Patriots are alive and well after a Week 4 massacre at the hands of Kansas City, 41-14. Since then, the Patriots have done what they tend to do, surging for a 43-17 blowout of the then-undefeated Cincinnati Bengals and handling another divisional foe, Buffalo, with relative ease, 37-22.

Then there is New York, a team that really does not need a road divisional clash on a short week. Rex Ryan's Jets have lost five straight since opening the season with a win against the now 0-5 Oakland Raiders.

Despite the trends, the pure dislike for one another and the understanding both veteran staffs carry into the encounter makes it one to catch. It is never wise to discount a team on Thursday, let alone a team in a divisional clash.

Game Information

When: Thursday, October 16, 8:25 p.m. ET

Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Watch: CBS, NFL Network

Betting Info: (via Odds Shark)

• Over/Under: 45
• Spread: New England (-10)

Storylines to Watch

New York's Quarterback Drama 

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

It simply would not feel like a Jets game without a bit of drama under center, right? 

By all accounts, sophomore Geno Smith is Ryan's starter Thursday night, but the West Virginia product was also the starter a few weeks ago in an eventual 31-0 loss to San Diego before he got yanked from the game in favor of veteran Michael Vick.

Smith once again simply cannot keep the turnovers to a reasonable level, and his completion percentage isn't impressive this season:

OPP	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	TD	INT
vs. OAK	23	28	221	82.1	1	1
at GB	16	32	176	50.0	1	1
vs. CHI	26	43	316	60.5	1	2
vs. DET	17	33	209	51.5	1	1
at SD	4	12	27	33.3	0	1
vs. DEN	23	43	190	53.5	2	1

It is not just that Smith turns the ball over, either. According to research by ESPN Stats & Information, he leads the league with a jaw-dropping 15 turnovers on first down. He also has the worst completion percentage on first down at 55 percent, lower than his season total of 57.1.

Still, this has not stopped Ryan from throwing his support behind Smith.

"I think Geno is the best way to go right now," Ryan said, per ESPN.com. "That's why I'm comfortable saying he will be our starter."

Keep in mind Smith will need to not only turn things around on a short week but do so against the league's No. 3 pass defense, which allows just 208.5 passing yards per game on average. Led by elite corner Darrelle Revis and standout safety Devin McCourty, it may prove difficult for the Jets to move the ball through the air to a point where it can match the Patriots offense blow for blow.

Brady's Weapons 

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

Much criticism has been thrown the way of those who surround Brady, but really, things are not all that bad.

Julian Edelman is still a reliable every-down target. He has 40 grabs on the season for 409 yards and a score. Rob Gronkowski has been his usual self on a limited pitch count, catching 26 passes for 341 yards and four scores.

As Doug Kyed of NESN.com muses, Gronkowski seems to be recovering on a week-to-week basis, too:

Should the Patriots choose to go with two-tight end looks, as they have done in recent weeks during the turnaround, Tim Wright has emerged as a reliable weapon, having caught 10 of 11 targets for 121 yards and a pair of scores.

Last, but certainly not least, do not forget newcomer Brandon LaFell, who has morphed into a big-play threat with Brady as his quarterback. The former Carolina Panthers wideout has 15 grabs for 282 yards and a trio of scores.

Those expecting the New England offense to cool may want to pump the brakes a tad. The New York defense does rank No. 15 overall against the pass, but as the team revealed on Twitter recently, starting corner Dee Milliner is now on injured reserve.

As the ESPN report linked above notes, Brady will be without starting tailback Stevan Ridley, so an additional emphasis will likely be placed on the passing attack Thursday night. In a battle of emerging versus hobbled, the advantage seems to be obvious.

Prediction

It should go without saying that teams with quarterback issues—or that simply struggle to move the ball through the air efficiently—will have serious problems against New England.

Brady's backfield may struggle to move the ball on the ground against a strong Jets defense in that area, but it is an issue that can be mitigated by quick-hitting plays to some of the above-named talent.

The New York defense has allowed a minimum of 24 points in each of its five consecutive losses, with three allowances of 31 points. All of those offenses also had potent passing attacks, so expect Brady and Co. to have few issues hitting that mark, which is one reason it is difficult to see Smith—or Vick—matching on a short week of preparation.

Prediction: Patriots 28, Jets 17

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).