Matthew Slater’s message to the Patriots prior to beating the Jets: The Patriots entered Sunday’s matchup with the Jets with an 0-2 record, knowing that another defeat — especially coming against a division opponent who was on a 14-game losing streak to New England — would put any playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.
Longtime special teams captain Matthew Slater made sure to remind his teammates how vital the Week 3 game was, even coming so early in the season.
“I just felt like we were at an important part of the season, even though it’s early in the season,” Slater told Boston Herald Patriots reporter Andrew Callahan after the game.