New York @ New England preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 30, 2018 ) N.Y. Jets 3, New England 38

The New England Patriots have pretty much ruled the AFC East from the moment Tom Brady joined the starting lineup in 2001, although some of the offseason buzz had the New York Jets poised to challenge the reigning Super Bowl champions for division supremacy. Instead, the gap between the teams looks wider than ever entering Sunday's matchup in Foxborough, Mass.

New England has looked every bit capable of repeating as world champions in lopsided victories over Pittsburgh and Miami, becoming the fourth team in the Super Bowl era to allow three points or fewer in the first two weeks. “Those guys are one of the best dynasties ever to play the game,” New York running back Le'Veon Bell, who was a part of plenty of high-profile matchups versus the Patriots as a member of the Steelers, told reporters. “We’ve got to go out there and play football and match their intensity on the road.” The Jets are already without starting quarterback Sam Darnold (mononucleosis) and lost backup Trevor Siemian in Monday night's 23-3 loss to Cleveland, forcing them to turn to third-stringer Luke Falk for Sunday's matchup. New England has beaten New York six straight times overall and eight in a row at Gillette Stadium but it will be without wide receiver Antonio Brown, who was released Friday after a second woman accused him of sexual misconduct.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Patriots -22. O/U: 43.5

ABOUT THE JETS (0-2): Falk, a sixth-round pick by Tennessee in 2018, acquitted himself fairly well in light of the circumstances, finishing 20-of-25 for 198 yards after Siemian was hurt Monday night, but was unable to get the team into the end zone. Bell was the focal point of the offense with 68 yards rushing on 21 carries and 10 receptions for 61 yards, but New York will need more from its wide receiver corps that has been led by Jamison Crowder with 18 catches through two games. With linebacker C.J. Mosley likely to miss a second straight game, the onus is on defensive end Leonard Williams to make an impact after failing to record a sack through two games.

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (2-0): Brown signed with New England following his stunning release by Oakland and he was a difference-maker in his Patriots debut with four receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown at Miami, but the latest allegations caused the team to cut ties with the mercurial wideout. “We appreciate the hard work of many people over the past 11 days, but we feel that it is best to move in a different direction at this time,” the team said in a statement. Brady, who has thrown for five scores and 605 yards, was listed on the injury report with a calf issue but practiced Thursday and appeared to have no limitations. The only blip so far for the Patriots is an inconsistent running game, although Sony Michel was much better against the Dolphins after an ugly season debut.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Brady threw for 533 yards and six TDs in two matchups versus New York in 2018.

2. Bell averaged 151 yards from scrimmage in three games versus the Patriots.

3. New England has not allowed a first-half point in four straight games, including the Super Bowl and AFC title game last season.

PREDICTION: Patriots 27, Jets 13