Hot Patriots Host Cold Jets in Thursday Night Football Matchup

New England Opened as a 8.5-point Favorite Against New York.

NFL Week 7 begins in Foxboro with the New York Jets (1-5) visiting the New England Patriots (4-2) in an AFC East matchup on Thursday Night Football. The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook opened the game with New England installed as an 8.5-point favorite and the total at 46. The Patriots have since risen to -9.5 with the total dropping to 44.5 (click here to check latest NFL odds).

The Jets come into this primetime matchup on a five-game losing streak, going 0-4-1 against the spread in that span. They are averaging just 15.4 points per game during the skid with their defense allowing 28.8 ppg. This is a team with no identity on offense that can't run or throw it effectively with any consistency. New York ranks 30th in the league in total offense, which is just ahead of the Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars. If this continues, which appears likely, the franchise will be looking for a new head coach after this season because Rex Ryan will be out.

While the Jets have allowed way too many points in the last five games, they are still ranked sixth in the NFL in total defense. But they will not stay there for long if they do not improve on third downs. They have been having difficulty getting off the field, allowing 47 percent conversions on third downs, which is tied for fifth worst in the league. The one silver lining for bettors with New York in this game is the team's recent success versus New England. The Jets are 3-1 ATS in their last four games against the Patriots with three of them going "over" the total.

The Patriots comes into the short week on a two-game winning streak both straight-up and ATS with both games going "over" the total. They really have turned things around after their last loss 43-17 to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football back in Week 4. New England quarterback Tom Brady has looked great after many were questioning him and his offense a few weeks ago. The Pats have averaged 40 ppg over their last two games, with Brady throwing for a total of 653 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. When he is playing at that level, there are not many teams in the league that can beat them.

Defensively, New England is currently ranked fifth in the NFL, allowing 319.5 yards per game, and facing an offense as inept as the Jets this week should improve those numbers.  The Patriots are back in control of the AFC East and cannot afford to drop this game to the worst team in the division. Expect them to come in focused and ready to play while the struggling Jets will try to do the same in an effort to break their skid.

Here are a few NFL betting trends to consider before wagering on this game: New York is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games versus AFC opponents, New England is 8-2 ATS in its past 10 home games and the "over" is 8-1-1 in the previous 10 meetings.

Click here for NFL picks from the Don Best handicappers.