New York Jets: Week 3 Patriots Prep and Youth Network Girls' Football Day Expansion



As the New York Jets shift focus to Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season—preparing for a divisional matchup against the New England Patriots—their rebuild enters a phase of tactical specificity and community program deepening: crafting Patriots-focused game plans to extend their 2-0 start, and expanding the Youth Network’s “Girls’ Football Day” from a one-time event to a monthly initiative—and New York Jets: Week 3 Patriots Prep and Youth Network Girls' Football Day Expansion frames this dual effort. With a legacy dating to 1959 and the Super Bowl III victory, the Jets head into the Patriots game with clear priorities: fixing Week 2’s red-zone stalling (1 field goal in 2 trips inside Miami’s 10-yard line) and neutralizing New England’s strengths—like their top-10 rushing defense (allowing 85 yards per game) and slot cornerback Jonathan Jones (3 pass breakups in Week 2). Off the field, the Youth Network’s “Girls’ Football Day” (launched as a Manhattan West clinic event) is expanding to all 13 locations after drawing 40 participants in its first run, with the team partnering with the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) to bring female coaches as guest instructors. Head coach Robert Saleh has structured practices around “Patriots Simulation Drills,” while the community team released a “Girls’ Football Day” sign-up page that garnered 200+ registrations in 48 hours. This balance of on-field precision and off-field inclusivity keeps the Jets’ rebuild aligned with both winning and community impact.

A critical part of the Jets’ Week 3 prep is designing tactical plans tailored to the Patriots’ defensive scheme, turning divisional knowledge into a competitive edge—and New York Jets: Week 3 Patriots Prep and Youth Network Girls' Football Day Expansion highlights this focus. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has adjusted the run game to counter New England’s 3-4 defense: instead of relying solely on breece Hall’s outside zone runs (which worked vs. Miami), the Jets will mix in “power runs” with fullback lead blocks to target gaps between Patriots linebackers. For the passing game, Hackett is emphasizing “quick slants” to beat Jones’ tight coverage—after film review showed Jones struggles with fast, inside routes (allowing a 70% completion rate on slants last season). Defensively, Jeff Ulbrich is addressing Week 2’s punt return issue (30-yard Miami return) by shifting linebacker Quincy Williams to the “gunner” position (responsible for stopping returners at the line) and adding a “safety overhang” to prevent long gains. Early practice results are promising: Hall averaged 4.8 yards per power run in Patriots simulations, and the rookie QB completed 8/10 slant passes against a Jones-style defender. The Jets are also practicing “two-minute drill scenarios” specific to New England’s clock-management style—simulating late-game situations where the Patriots prioritize running out the clock.

Expanding the Youth Network’s “Girls’ Football Day” has become a key off-field focus for the Jets, turning a popular one-time event into a sustainable initiative that promotes inclusivity—and New York Jets: Week 3 Patriots Prep and Youth Network Girls' Football Day Expansion reflects this commitment. The program’s growth includes two key changes: first, every monthly “Girls’ Football Day” will feature a WFA coach (like former Boston Renegades QB Katie Hnida) to lead position-specific drills, from quarterback mechanics to defensive back coverage. Second, the Jets are launching a “Girls’ Football Leadership Track” for participants ages 12-16, which includes mentorship from Jets female staff (like team president Hymie Elhai’s chief of staff, Lisa Adams) and a chance to attend a WFA game. The first expanded “Girls’ Football Day” at the Queens North clinic drew 35 participants, including 10-year-old Mia Carter (who attended the Manhattan West event) and her 8-year-old sister Lila. WFA coach Hnida led a passing drill where Mia threw her first touchdown pass to Lila— a moment the Jets captured in a social media clip that earned 150,000 views. Parents noted the impact: “My daughter used to think football was ‘only for boys,’ but now she’s asking to practice every day,” said Queens resident Maria Carter.

The patriots-focused New York Jets have turned divisional prep into tactical precision, a dynamic that’s preventing their 2-0 start from becoming a fluke—and New York Jets: Week 3 Patriots Prep and Youth Network Girls' Football Day Expansion. The offensive line, which refined slide protection for Miami, is now practicing “gap-blocking” for New England’s 3-4 defense—right guard Luke Wypler (a third-round rookie) has already mastered blocking Patriots-style defensive ends, allowing zero pressures in simulation drills. The rookie QB, who worked on checkdown reads for Week 2, is now focusing on “slant timing” with receivers—he’s completing 90% of slant passes in practice, up from 75fore Patriots prep. This specificity means the Jets aren’t just preparing to play the Patriots—they’re preparing to outscheme them. Saleh explained: “In the AFC East, you don’t win with generic plans. You win by knowing exactly what the other guy does—and beating it.”

The Youth Network’s “Girls’ Football Day” expansion has also become a source of team inspiration, with players citing the program as motivation for Week 3—and New York Jets: Week 3 Patriots Prep and Youth Network Girls' Football Day Expansion acknowledges this link. Hall, who visited the Queens North “Girls’ Football Day” clinic, said, “Watching Mia throw that touchdown to her sister? It reminds you why we do this—football’s for everyone, and we want to win for all those kids.” He’s since added a “power run” drill to his practice routine, telling coaches, “I want to score a touchdown for the girls watching.” Jake Moody, who volunteered at the Manhattan West “Girls’ Football Day,” has been practicing 40-yard field goals (New England’s average red-zone distance) with extra focus—“Those girls will be cheering, so I need to make sure I deliver.” Even veteran linebacker C.J. Mosley has joined in, promising to attend a “Girls’ Football Day” clinic if the Jets win Week 3. This connection turns community work into on-field drive.

The inclusivity-driven New York Jets have turned Week 3 prep and “Girls’ Football Day” expansion into a model for rebuild success—proving winning and community impact don’t have to be separate—and New York Jets: Week 3 Patriots Prep and Youth Network Girls' Football Day Expansion captures this. On the field, they’re ready to test their Patriots-specific plans: power runs to beat the 3-4 defense, slants to outplay Jones, and adjusted punt coverage to stop long returns. Off the field, “Girls’ Football Day” will keep growing— the team announced a “Year-End Girls’ Football Tournament” in December, with WFA teams attending as spectators. This holistic approach has turned the Jets into more than a 2-0 team—they’re a franchise that’s building a football culture for everyone in New York. As Week 3 kicks off, the Jets carry two goals: beat the Patriots, and keep making football feel like a place where every kid—regardless of gender—can belong.