NFL Week 3 bold predictions: Jets end Bill Belichick’s reign of terror over franchise, Jordan Love historic

Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season is underway, starting with the San Francisco 49ers’ 30-12 win over the New York Giants on “Thursday Night Football.” The 49ers putting up 30 points isn’t surprising, but the way they did it is. Quarterback Brock Purdy totaled 310 passing yards and two touchdowns on 25-of-37 passing, but he did so with his air yards per pass attempt just five yards, 4.9 to be exact. Of Purdy’s 310 yards, 65.2% of them — 202 — occurred after the catch. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan went with a training wheels offense on Thursday night, and the 49ers were still explosive in the end.

Since anything can happen when it comes to the NFL, what’s next, you ask? Well, here are five bold predictions for this weekend’s Week 3 slate.    

1. Zach Wilson-led Jets finally snap their 14-game losing streak against Patriots

The Patriots have won 14 consecutive games against the Jets, the second-longest active win streak against a single opponent in the NFL. That’s one game fewer than the Chiefs’ 15 consecutive victories against the Broncos. However, Zach Wilson and the Jets are going to end that streak on Sunday. 

Putting Wilson first in that last sentence is a little disingenuous because Gang Green’s defense harassing Mac Jones and the Patriots offense is why New York is going to win. Even though Jones enters Week 3 leading the NFL in completions (66), pass attempts (96) and dropbacks this season, his 5.7 yards per pass attempt ranks 29th in the league. This is an offense that cannot stretch the field. Cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed should have a field day with Jones in New Jersey (the weather could play a big part, too).

The defense wearing down Jones should allow for Wilson to hand the ball off to running back Breece Hall plenty of times on Sunday and play ball-control offense. The second-year rusher totaled a career-low four touches in the team’s 30-10 loss at…

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