NFL Week 7 Picks: New England Patriots vs. New York Jets

New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
Sunday, 10/20/13, 1:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: New England -3
Current Betting Line: New England -3
Opening Total: 43.5
Current Total: 43.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The New England Patriots have won their last 12 games against division opponents

New England will be looking for its 16th series sweep over New York, as it travels to MetLife Stadium for the second meeting of the 2013 NFL campaign between these two rivals. The Patriots have won 12 straight games against AFC East opponents, which is the longest active winning streak of its kind in that situation, which can’t be ignored when making your NFL expert picks in Week 7. The franchise owns a dominating 61-15 record against division opponents since 2001. New England is 7-3 SU and 5-5 ATS in October the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 6-4 in those affairs.

The Patriots earned a 13-10 win over the Jets as 10.5-point home favorites Sept. 12, while going UNDER the betting total of 43. New England was actually out-gained by a 318-232 margin in that affair, which is important to consider when looking over the NFL betting lines. Quarterback Tom Brady has compiled an 18-4 regular-season record against New York—completing 64.1 percent of his passes for 1,743 yards during a current six-game winning streak in the series.

New York has alternated wins and losses over its first six games of the season, as it comes off a 19-6 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers as one-point home underdogs last week. The Jets rank fourth in the league in allowing just 303.8 yards per game, which has been made possible by a run defense that is surrendering just 75.7 yards. Rookie quarterback Geno Smith is looking to bounce back from his worst professional start, as he completed just 15 of 35 passes for 214 yards and throwing a season-high three picks versus the Steel Curtain. New York is 2-8 SU and 3-7 ATS versus winning teams since 2011.

The Jets will need to focus on stopping Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, as he’s expected to make his first start of the 2013 season—catching 20 passes for 248 yards and four touchdowns in his five games in this rivalry. Since 2002, the team that leads after three quarters has won the game, with New England prevailing 19 times and New York six.