NFL Week 16 Patriots vs. Jets Picks & Predictions
By Anthony Rome
Major playoff implications will be on the line for the Patriots and Jets when the two rivals meet in East Rutherford today at 1:00PM ET.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Jets are currently 3-point home underdogs versus the Patriots after the line opened at that same number. As for the total, the number currently sits at 45.5 points.
This has trap written all over it, and feels a lot like last week's game between the Cowboys and Jets in Dallas. The line in that game stayed around a field goal all week and at kickoff despite the majority of public pounding the Jets at the betting window. This week, with over 70% of public money on the Patriots, the line hasn't budged off the key number of three.
The key today could be the health of linebacker Don’t'a Hightower, who exited last week's win over the Titans with a knee injury. Considering he didn't return to the game and it's the same knee that kept Hightower out the previous two weeks, it's unlikely that the Pats would risk their key run defender with the division and a bye already wrapped up.
If Hightower is out, look for the Jets to control this game on the ground with Bilal Powell and Chris Ivory, and pull off the upset.
The Jets have been a solid bet at home this season, going 4-3 against the spread and winning by a 9.7 margin. The Patriots are also 0-4-1 against the spread in their last five games versus the Jets, all while favored.
NFL WEEK 16 FREE PICK: NEW YORK JETS +3
I like the pick. Jets +3 it is.