Jets shot to give Patriots their first 0-2 start since before Tom Brady

The last time the New England Patriots opened a 0-2 season, Jets quarterback Zach Wilson was 2 years old.

It goes back to September 23, 2001, when it was the Jets who beat the Patriots, 10-3, in Bill Belichick’s second year with the team to start New England with two losses. Of course, that was the game when Jets linebacker Mo Lewis sent Drew Bledsoe to the hospital, and Tom Brady jogged off the bench, starting two decades of New England domination.

Sunday’s game between the Jets and the Patriots is unlikely to be as historically significant. But it’s an intriguing clash between two 0-1 teams, both led by rookie quarterbacks. Wilson and Patriots rookie Mac Jones will face off for the first time in what could be the start of a new chapter in the New York-New England rivalry.

“It’s super cool,” Wilson said, sounding every track as he turned 22. “You think of the New England Patriots all your life and all my life, how many Super Bowls they’ve won and how many I’ve seen them. Obviously the team is a little different now without Tom. But Bill Belichick is still there, and this guy is one of the best coaches around. The scheme and the way he makes these guys play hard and the rules he gives them is tough, he does a good job. So it will be a good challenge for us.

Belichick is a known master against rookie quarterbacks. He’s 21-6 against them. The Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa beat him last year, so it’s not impossible. Jets fans may recall that Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith both beat Belichick as rookies.

Wilson is coming off an encouraging outing against the Panthers in Week 1. He didn’t light up the scoreboard or the stats sheet, but he showed tenacity with six sacks and resilience with two. affected in the second half.

“He’s an explosive player,” Belichick said of the Jets rookie. “He has a good arm. Living arm. Make all the throws. Athletic. Like any young player, you know, they get experience and improve every time they go.

This home opener for the Jets is also coach Robert Saleh’s first meeting with Belichick, and he knows he’ll have to get smart with the best coach of all time to win this one. The Patriots have beaten the Jets 10 in a row, a streak Saleh hopes to end on Sunday.

“This is where that chess match with Coach Belichick always takes place,” Saleh said, “and you have to choose your battles, stay strong and engaged in what you do and prepare to play chess with it. one of the best chess players in the world.