Patch Patriots Roundup: Who's Got The Sauce In Pats-Jets Matchup?

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Bill Belichick is known for putting young quarterbacks in a torture chamber with his defensive game plan. The chance he'll be able to do that against Jets quarterback Zach Wilson is pretty high, but he'll have to gameplan something unique for his own quarterback to offset the impact of rookie sensation Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner.

Gardner has already set himself apart in the conversation among top-5 or 10 defensive backs, so Patriots fans can look forward to getting a glimpse at a future All-Pro, albeit one in the same division.

Here's what else to know ahead of Sunday:

Patriots Already Thinking Ahead To Coordinator Changes?

Belichick is known for sticking with his guys, even after they've left to take head coaching jobs. Could that also be true for current University of Alabama staffer Bill O'Brien?

Albert Breer reported this week that the Patriots could be looking to bring the former Houston Texans head coach on as offensive coordinator once the season is over, likely replacing Matt Patricia in the role.

Breer was on 98.5 this week and said interested fans could look to the college coaching carousel to see what O'Brien's interest in the Patriots gig really could be. O'Brien has been linked to openings like Nebraska and, according to Breer, if he passes on some of those interviews, it could be an indicator that he's eyeing a return to the NFL.

Mac Jones, Auditor-At-Large

Headlines this week surrounding quarterback Mac Jones mainly focused on his need to improve coming out of the bye week.

Jones himself said he did a "full audit" of how to fix the mistakes that have been limiting him this year, according to a NESN report.

"I think a lot of us are working on different things every day, and the bye week’s a great time to do that," Jones said Wednesday. "So for me, just making sure my feet and eyes are in the right place and continue to go through my reads and continue to improve in the weight room, nutrition, all that stuff. It’s a full audit of yourself, I guess you could call it. Kind of look at yourself and see what you can do better."

Playoff Odds Looking ... Bleak

The Patriots find themselves at 5-4 on the year in what's become a stacked AFC East, somewhat against the odds of what insiders and pundits predicted ahead of the 2022 season. What that means is the Pats find themselves in the unfamiliar spot of last in the division.

ESPN's Football Power Index, therefore, is quite low on their chances to make the playoffs, with the Patriots only standing at 19 percent as of Friday afternoon.

With how close the division is, however, that could change fast depending on how the rest of the year goes. For example, the Bills stand only one win better, but have a 96 percent chance to make the playoffs, per the model.

Odds and Ends

• Kickoff: Sunday, Nov. 2o, 1 p.m.
• Network: CBS
• Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub
• Weather forecast: Sunny, with a high near 38. West wind 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.