Patriots Game Preview vs. Jets: Analysis, prediction, TV info

Patriots vs. Jets -- Week 12

Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. (turf, outdoors)

When: Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)

Spread: Patriots by 6.5

Forecast: Temperatures are expected to be in the 30s.

Records: Patriots (Overall: 7-3, AFC East: 3-0); Jets (Overall: 4-6, AFC South: 2-2)

Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Oct. 12, 2012: Patriots 29, Jets 26 (OT); Nov. 13, 201: Patriots 37, Jets 16. Series record: Patriots hold a 54-52-1 edge.

What matters: Life without TE Rob Gronkowski (broken forearm) begins this week for the Patriots, and it could be an odd and awkward adjustment period. With the short turnaround from Sunday’s game, the coaching staff doesn’t have much time to find ways to replace all of the various things Gronkowski does for the offense. Expect to see even more three-receiver sets in the coming weeks than New England has displayed with TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle).

Who matters: Hernandez and his injured ankle will take center stage this week. All signs pointed toward him making his return Thursday night, but his status is now in doubt after being listed as did not participate in Monday’s hypothetical practice report (New England did not practice). If he is forced to miss his fourth consecutive game, the Patriots will be forced to roll out some combination of Visanthe Shiancoe, Michael Hoomanawanui and Daniel Fells. Those guys don’t exactly strike fear into opposing defenses the way Hernandez and Gronkowski do

Key matchups: The Jets have a number of problems they are trying to sort through, but their pass defense still remains one of the better units in the league. CB Antonio Cromartie hasn’t given up much of anything this season, and Kyle Wilson hasn’t been bad on the other side of the field. New England’s receivers are going to have to work hard to get open if it hopes to keep rolling without Gronkowski.

Injuries of note: G Logan Mankins (ankle/calf) looks like a longshot to play this week. … DE Chandler Jones is nursing an ankle injury and was listed as not participating Monday. … Hernandez’s ankle injury remains an issue.

Inside stuff: New England is going to have trouble replacing Gronkowski’s production in the red zone. The tight end has caught 10 passes in that area of the field, with eight going for touchdowns. All other New England receivers have combined for eight touchdowns.

Connections: Jets RB Lex Hilliard had a brief stint with New England earlier this season. … Jets quarterbacks coach Matt Canaugh played for the Patriots for five years (1978-82). … Patriots RB Danny Woodhead started his career in New York in 2008 before joining the Patriots in 2010. … Patriots CB Marquice Cole played for the Jets from 2009-11.

Stat you should know: The Patriots employed a two-tight end set on nearly 75 percent of their offensive snaps last season with Gronkowski and Hernandez healthy.

Looking ahead: The Patriots travel to Miami before hosting Houston and San Francisco. They need to get this one.

Prediction: Patriots 28, Jets 24

Nick Underhill covers the Patriots for MassLive.com. Follow him on Twitter @CBSPats or @Nick_Underhill.