BLUE 1,026 Posted October 15, 2014 (edited) By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer (AP) -- As embattled coach Rex Ryan and the New York Jets try to end their longest losing streak in seven years, the New England Patriots must overcome injuries to two key players in order to continue their surge. The AFC East rivals meet Thursday night when the Patriots try for a sixth consecutive regular-season home victory over the Jets. Ryan admitted after New York (1-5) dropped its fifth straight game, 31-17 to Denver on Sunday, that he's hit a low in his six years with the team. "Yeah, I would say so," said Ryan, who is 47-45 - including the playoffs - with the Jets. "It's not by a lack of effort. We're trying everything we can. It just hasn't happened for us yet." Though Ryan's job status is anything but secure, he remains positive amid the franchise's longest skid since dropping six in a row in 2007. "My message is pretty simple: Hey, we might be counted out, (but) we're not dead," he said. "We are going to fight our tails off." New York continues the fight with struggling Geno Smith under center. The second-year quarterback has completed 57.1 percent of his passes, thrown six touchdowns and seven interceptions for an NFL-low 69.7 passer rating. He went 32 of 68 for 447 yards with a TD, four INTs and was sacked eight times while the Jets split the 2013 season series with New England. Still, Ryan believes Smith is a better option than backup Michael Vick. "I think Geno is the best way to go right now," Ryan said. "That's why I'm comfortable saying he will be our starter." To take some pressure off Smith, the Jets must run the ball better. New York averaged 151.3 rushing yards in the first four games then totaled 122 in the next two. Smith gained a team-high 11 of the Jets' 31 run yards Sunday as New York had 15 rushing attempts - its fewest under Ryan. "We're built to run," Ryan said. "I think we've just got to stay the course with it and see what happens." Things might not get easier in that area after left guard Brian Winters suffered a season-ending knee injury Sunday. The Jets defense, meanwhile, played a big part in the team allowing 31 points for the second straight week. New York has allowed an average of 28.8 points since the 19-14 victory over Oakland. Its defense gave up 253 rushing yards in the first four games before allowing 300 to San Diego and Denver. An already depleted secondary got thinner when starting cornerback Dee Milliner suffered a season-ending Achilles injury Sunday. Now, the Jets face a New England team that has scored 80 points to beat Cincinnati and Buffalo in the last two weeks. Though New York's last regular-season road victory over the Patriots (4-2) came in 2008, a rivalry that's included the butt fumble, Spygate and foot fetish jokes provides instant motivation for both sides. "This is the biggest rival you have," said Ryan, whose team won 28-21 at New England in the divisional playoffs during the 2010 season. "You don't have to worry about the motivation," he added. "It's going to be there. Both teams don't like each other. There's respect for each other, but I don't think you really like each other. We know we have to be at our very best." Tom Brady has won six straight regular-season home games versus New York, and thrown nine TDs, one INT and recorded a 101.3 rating in the last five. After posting a 59.1 completion percentage with four TDs and two INTs in the first four games, Brady silenced his critics by going 50 of 72 for 653 yards with six TDs and no picks against the Bengals and Bills. "He's a winner, man," teammate Brandon LaFell said after Brady threw for a 361 yards and four TDs in Sunday's 37-22 win at Buffalo. "That guy comes out every week and puts us in a situation to win games." Brady is again seeking out star tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has 13 receptions for 194 yards and a TD while being targeted 20 times in the last two games. Though Gronkowski had three TDs in the first four contests, he caught 13 passes for 147 yards while being thrown at 26 times. He has 22 receptions for 305 yards and four TDs in his last three against the Jets. Brady, however, won't have Stevan Ridley to lean on after the running back suffered a knee injury Sunday that reportedly will sideline him for the rest of the season. The team's leading rusher with 340 yards, Ridley will be replaced by Shane Vereen with Brandon Bolden and James White also likely to see action. Linebacker Jerod Mayo, who has a team-leading 53 tackles, also had his season cut short for the second straight year after being carted off with a knee injury Sunday. "It's definitely heartbreaking to see guys go down like that," Patriots special teams standout Matthew Slater said. "We have to do as good a job as we can of just trying to move on, and continuing to play well." Source: Hosted.Stats.com Edited October 17, 2014 by BLUE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 16, 2014 Aaron Dobson is a healthy scratch for Week 7 against the Jets. Brian Tyms is active. Dobson is as deep in coach Bill Belichick's doghouse as a player can get. Also inactive for the Patriots are RB James White, S Nate Ebner, C Bryan Stork, OG Dan Connolly, CB Malcolm Butler and OT Cameron Fleming. Jets declared WR Greg Salas, WR Chris Owusu, DL D.J. Barnes, OG Dakota Dozier, OL Wesley Johnson, OLB Trevor Reilly and DB Josh Thomas inactive for Week 7 against the Patriots. Eric Decker (hamstring) and David Nelson (ankle) are active. Salas is week to week, with a good shot at returning in Week 8. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBen07 285 Posted October 17, 2014 :patriots: 41-9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BradyFan81 404 Posted October 17, 2014 :patriots: 24 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BradyFan81 404 Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) Defense still sucks, as per usual. Don't wanna hear anyone call BB a defensive mastermind ever again. This defense that he's hand picked through 1st round picks and free agent signings is a fucking dumpster fire. 6 years straight years now it's been horrendous. There is no excuse for the defense to be this bad. This was supposed to be "the year" the defense would win us games. Nope, the defense is still as terrible as ever. BB's a great coach, one of the best ever, but most of his game plan is honestly just relying on Brady and playing a passive as hell defense that waits for the other team to fuck up so the offense can capitalize. Definitely got propped up as this defensive guru because of some HOF & All Pro level defensive players that he lucked into early on in his Pats tenure. Not trying to act like a spoiled fan, I'm very happy we're 5-2. But just disappointed with this defense. Edited October 17, 2014 by BradyFan81 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) 85-90 Giants DC don't forget. Had some amazing players and great defenses. My point, that's where the guru talk started. Continued success with the early 2000s Patriots even furthing it. 5 SB wins for Billy. Edited October 17, 2014 by Bay Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
