The New England Patriots have a chance to turn the New York Jets’ preferred defensive identity into an advantage in Week 6. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has the mobility and downfield ability to punish pressure, but that opportunity could hinge on how well rookie tackle Caleb Lomu handles a potential larger role at left tackle.
Locked On Patriots host Nick Cattles argued that Jets coach Aaron Glenn faces a defining choice: keep leaning into man coverage and blitzes, or shift toward more zone looks and ask Maye to sustain long drives. Cattles pointed to the Jets’ Week 3 matchup with the Detroit Lions as evidence that an aggressive approach can backfire when a quarterback identifies the pressure and attacks the openings it creates.
Cattles expects New York to test Lomu if starting left tackle Will Campbell (knee) cannot play. Campbell remained limited in practice Friday, while Lomu is a candidate to take over after filling in during last week’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The Patriots could give Lomu help in pass protection, but the Jets can complicate matters with blitzes, stunts and simulated pressures designed to isolate young linemen.
Jets rookie edge rusher David Bailey gives that front a disruptive presence, and Cattles said New York’s pressure package could create problems if the Patriots repeatedly find themselves in obvious passing situations. He believes Maye can make the Jets pay if their rushes do not get home, especially when man coverage leaves space for the quarterback to escape or target one-on-one matchups.
Cattles also made the case for a more physical answer: Run the ball and keep the offense out of third-and-long. He suggested Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could borrow elements from Chicago’s approach against the Jets by using tight ends and outside-zone runs to create leverage on the edge. That approach would both reduce the burden on Lomu and force the Jets to defend the full field before dialing up their pressure looks.
Cattles projected a 23-13 Patriots win and said the matchup favors a defense that can vary its fronts against Jets quarterback Geno Smith. For New England, the offensive side of the equation is just as consequential: Protect Maye, stay ahead of the chains and make Glenn decide whether his aggressive tendencies are worth the risk.
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