Jets vs. Patriots Point Spread: NFL Week 18 Odds, Prediction
The 6-10 Jets and 4-12 Patriots will both conclude their seasons after this tilt, a game that comes hours before the NFL’s regular season finale between Miami and Buffalo that will settle the AFC East. The Patriots have already clinched last in the division, a place they haven’t they have finished in since 2000.
Both the Jets and Patriots sub .500 records have a ton to do with poor quarterback play, which is even more ironic considering the division’s top two teams are strong at the quarterback spot. But New York’s rotated through Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, and Trevor Siemian at quarterback this season — all to little success. Siemian’s getting the nod for the Jets this Sunday. And Bailey Zappe’s starting for New England, sort of by default at this point.
Kickoff at Gillette Stadium gets started at 1 p.m. EST with the Patriots a slight favourite on home field (-130 on the moneyline) and the over-under down to 30.5 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
With both clubs eliminated, the biggest storyline in this contest arguably becomes whether the Jets can snap a 15-game losing streak against the Patriots. Now while heavily influenced from the Tom Brady New England days, the most recent matchups without Brady have seen the Jets score go 0-7 and score 14 or fewer points in five of those seven losses. Earlier this season the Patriots defeated the Jets 15-10 in a loss where New York generated just 171 yards of offence.
The under’s hit in eight of these teams last 10 meetings. New York’s also 0-6 against the spread their last six times playing New England, 1-8 ATS in their last nine games overall, and 2-10 outright in their last 12 road games. If you back New York on the +1.5, you’re a brave soul.
New York Jets
While a win would get New York to 7-10 but finish nowhere near their pre-season expectations, defeating New England would be a strong way to finish and build up the 2024–25 hype in New York. Problem is the Jets are trotting out Trevor Siemian at quarterback again, who’s coming off a 13-point outing at Cleveland in which he also tossed a pick-six.
New York’s best strategy on offence is simply to feed running back Breece Hall and let him make magic happen. Hall was on the receiving end of Siemian’s lone touchdown throw last week and is now up to 1,395 total yards and eight touchdowns on the season.
New England Patriots
Jalen Reagor’s game-opening kick return touchdown was the perfect start last week for the Pats to potentially upset Buffalo, but 294 yards of offence and four turnovers later it was the offence that again let down New England in a 27-21 loss. Bailey Zappe had another rough day under centre, going 16 for 26 for 209 yards to go with zero touchdowns and three interceptions. Zappe will remain the starter ahead of Mac Jones and then former CFL star Nathan Rourke.
A lot is on the line for head coach Bill Belichick too. Belichick began with New England back in 2000 and finished 5-11, his worst record with the team to date. This season will still technically be Belichick’s worst win percentage in a season, but with a win Sunday he can avoid his lowest win total with the Patriots — in possibly his last ever game with the team.