The Jets finally snapped out of their skid in Week 5, and the formula looked familiar: defense first, points just enough. New York edged the Cleveland Browns 17-12 at MetLife Stadium, a gritty win that ended a three-game losing streak and gave the Jets their first victory since opening day.
That comeback effort came with a major lift from the defensive front. No. 2 overall pick David Bailey delivered the best game of his rookie season, finishing with a career-high three sacks. As a group, the Jets bottled up Cleveland, holding the Browns to fewer than 200 total yards and limiting them to just three yards per play.
Now comes a quick turn around to Foxborough for New York’s first divisional game of the season. The opponent is a Patriots team that started slowly but has won two straight, with quarterback Drake Maye now playing at a high-caliber level that earned him NFL MVP runner-up honors last season.
Sunday’s matchup kicks off on Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. and will air on CBS. Fans can stream it on Fubo. Spero Dedes will handle play-by-play, with Aditi Kinkhabwala reporting from the sideline.
According to BetMGM as of Thursday, Oct. 15, the over/under sits at 43.5.
The prediction here: Patriots 31, Jets 13.
New York’s 2026 schedule now moves into a critical stretch after the trip to New England. The Jets host the Dolphins in Week 7, then welcome the Raiders in Week 8 before road games at the Chiefs and Chargers, a home game against the Bills, and a Week 12 trip to Miami.
After a bye in Week 13, they return to MetLife for the Broncos, then head to Arizona before another Patriots meeting at home in Week 16. The finish includes the Vikings at MetLife and a final trip to Buffalo.
In Other News...
Jets Could Take A Huge Pass Rush Gamble Next To David Bailey
The Jets are already thinking ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft, where edge rusher could be one of the areas they try to address around David Bailey. With multiple first-round picks in hand, New York has the kind of draft capital that can change how aggressive a team is when it spots a pass-rush talent it likes, especially if the front office believes the roster will have enough veteran presence to help keep younger players on track.
One name to watch is South Carolinas Dylan Stewart, a high-upside defender whose profile comes with some off-field baggage that has already complicated his stock. Even so, the Jets may be in a position to weigh the upside against the risk, and how far theyre willing to go for help opposite Bailey could end up telling us plenty about how bold they plan to be with those premium picks. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Rookie May Have Earned A Bigger Role At Perfect Time
Darrell Jackson Jr. is starting to look like more than a developmental piece on the Jets defensive front. The rookie tackle made his presence felt against the Browns, flashing the kind of length and disruption that can change a drive in a hurry, and coach Aaron Glenn has already pointed to Jacksons work in practice and the way he uses his size as reasons for the growing confidence around him.
The timing could not be much better for a defense getting ready to face New England. The Patriots may be without left tackle Will Campbell, which only increases the importance of interior pressure and forces the Jets to consider where Jackson fits as the matchup plan takes shape. Whether his recent surge translates into a bigger role is the next question, but he has at least given the coaching staff something useful to think about. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Glenn Is Fueling A Jets Debate Fans Cant Ignore
Aaron Glenn has brought a sharper edge to the Jets defense, and that part of his early work is hard to miss. The unit looks more organized and more disruptive, which matters for a team trying to establish any kind of identity under a first-year head coach who is also trying to oversee the whole operation.
But the bigger question around Glenn is no longer just about play-calling or scheme. It is about whether the posture he brings on game day, and the way he carries himself with players and officials, fits a team still searching for direction and sitting near 1-4. The defense has given him something tangible to point to, yet the broader head coach picture is where the debate keeps getting louder. [Read more 🡒]