5 things to watch as Jets face Patriots in Week 11 of 2025 NFL season

With two wins in a row, the Jetshead to New England for a primetime game against the 8-2 Patriots on Thursday.

It will be tough to win a third straight, though, as the Pats are one of the league's hottest teams -- with seven straight wins.

Let's review the top storylines to watch as the Jets look to build on their recent momentum...

Can the Jets move the ball through the air without Garrett Wilson?

It's not uncommon for NFL teams to abandon the running game, but in Sunday's win over the Browns, the Jets essentially took the unusual step of abandoning the passing game. It worked, as they held on to beat the Browns, 27-20, despite completing just six passes, five of which gained less than five yards.

That strategy probably won't work against the Patriots, who boast the NFL's number one run defense. However, opening up the passing game against their 21st-ranked pass defense is going to be difficult with Wilson out for a few weeks with a sprained knee.

Quarterback Justin Fields' best game since the opener was also with Wilson out against Cincinnati, so the Jets could look to operate a similar game plan. Rookie tight end Mason Taylor was a primary target that day.

Is the Quincy Williams benching saga over?

In addition to seeing his brother Quinnen traded to Dallas, Williams came back from the bye week and was told he had lost his starting job. He responded well, though, and ended up making a big impact with seven tackles and a sack.

Veteran Mykal Walker had initially started with Williams coming off the bench as a third linebacker when the Jets were in base personnel. However, by the second quarter, Williams was back in a full-time role. Walker barely played after that.

Is Williams going to be back in a starting role this week? Also, will rookie Kiko Mauigoa make his return from a concussion and have a role in the rotation?

Can New York's pass rush make a big impact?

The Jets' pass rush played a big role in New York's win over the Browns, as they racked up six sacks, including a franchise record-tying four by Will McDonald. There could be opportunities to add to those numbers in New England.

Drake Maye was sacked six times by the Browns three weeks ago - five of them by Myles Garrett - and another six times by the Falcons two weeks ago. However, he was only sacked once by the Bucs on Sunday, so the Pats may have already taken steps to address any issues in their pass protection.

New England has two rookies - Will Campbell and Jared Wilson - starting on the left side, so McDonald will be a challenging matchup for them. However, he is dealing with a quad injury. It would be a shame if he was limited and that stopped his momentum.

Which youngsters will step up for the Jets this week?

With not much to play for in terms of the standings, Jets fans will be looking for anything that can give them hope for the future. There will be plenty of opportunities for young players to contribute, and Aaron Glenn and his coaching staff will be looking for some of them to step up and make an impact.

In Sunday's game, backup defensive tackle Jowon Briggs stuffed two runs and notched six pressures, while rookie safety Malachi Moore had one of his best games so far in a versatile role as he racked up eight tackles.

The wide receiver group is one area where the Jets really need someone unexpected to step up. Recent trade additions John Metchie III and Adonai Mitchell, or rookie Arian Smith, could get additional opportunities with Wilson out.

Can the Jets stop the Patriots' running game?

Maye is having an outstanding season for New England, but they also have an excellent running game that has averaged 157 yards per game over the past four weeks.

Rookie TreVeyon Henderson's role has increased over the past month, and he had the best game of his career on Sunday as he averaged over 10 yards per carry to end up with almost 150 and two touchdowns.

New York allowed 158 yards against the Browns at an average of five yards per carry. However, that's misleading because if you remove quarterback scrambles and gadget plays from the equation, they held the Browns under three yards per carry, so they will hope to be able to slow Henderson down.