It’s a clash of two first-round draft pick quarterbacks as the New England Patriots (0-1) visit the New York Jets (0-1) on Sunday for an AFC East showdown.
Former Alabama and current Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, the No. 15 pick in this year’s NFL Draft, completed 29-of-39 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown in a 17-16 slugfest home loss to AFC East rival Miami Dolphins.
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Jets quarterback and former BYU standout Zach Wilson, the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft, completed 20-of-37 passes for 258 yards with two second-half TDs and one interception in a 19-14 road loss to the Carolina Panthers and former Jets QB Sam Darnold.
Who will get the upper-hand between the two young, standout quarterbacks is the question for New York sports betting enthusiasts entering Sunday’s kickoff?
Books Favor Patriots
For New York gamblers, sportsbooks have the Patriots at 5.5-point favorites, including New York DraftKings and New York Fanduel. New York BetMGM has New England as a 6-point favorite. The over-under is about 42.5 points. Retail sports betting is legal at four upstate casinos in New York, but the state hopes to launch its online sports betting market in time for the Super Bowl.
The Jets recently announced two sports betting partnerships with WynnBET and Fubo Sportsbook. It was the first NFL deal for Fubo.
Sunday's game will be the first at home this season for the Jets under new head coach Robert Saleh, against their hated rival under head coach Bill Belichick. Belichick holds a 21-6 record against first-year quarterbacks since arriving in New England.
The Jets will also be without tackle Mekhi Becton, a key piece of Wilson’s offensive line. Becton went down with a knee injury against the Panthers last week.
Patriots Will Cover
Prediction: The Jets must sustain and feed off the MetLife Stadium crowd as much as possible and Wilson must play with poise and purpose, leaning on his go-to wide receiver after Week 1 — former Western Michigan standout Corey Davis, who had five receptions for 97 yards and two TDs.
These teams don’t like each other and I think this will be closer than people think because of the excitement and potential of both QBs. But let’s be honest — who the heck wants to play Belichick off a division loss in the season opener? I know I don’t. Jones and Wilson will hold their own, but Belichick will find a way like he always does to get back to the .500 mark, while Jets cynics will say “same old Jets.” Patriots 31, Jets 21.
