Can Zach Wilson Break The Belichick Vs. Rookie QB Curse?

• Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is one of the greatest coaches of all time, if not the greatest. Rookies tend to have difficulty playing against his defenses because they are so complex, and can be hard for someone with little pro experience to figure out.

• Zach Wilson was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and is a truly special talent. The Jets are hoping he can be their savior after years of failings, and many losses to New England. So can Wilson turn the tide for New York and overcome Belichick's curse on Rookie QB's?

• The Jets are currently +6 home underdogs to the Pats. They are +210 on the moneyline, while New England is -255.

Some Have Cracked The Code, Most Have Failed

Over the last 20+ years that Belichick has been the head coach of the Patriots, they have owned almost every rookie QB that has crossed their path. Young QB's are unprepared for what Belichick comes up with in his defensive scheme, which results in a lot of mistakes. Some have been able to overcome him, but the vast majority have failed.

Since 2000, Belichick is an astounding 21-6 against rookie QB's. He simply doesn't lose very often when the opposition trots out a young signal-caller. The Jets, in particular, have been completely wiped out by the Pats in their last 20 meetings.

New England has won its last 10 straight contests against the Jets, and a remarkable 18 of the last 20. That is the Belichick/Brady combo at its finest, crushing all who opposed them. Wilson will have to completely flip the script and change the narrative as a rookie. That won't be easy.

Zach Wilson Can Win If He Plays Smart

Only 6 QB's have been able to defeat Belichick in their rookie season. This list is a doozy, but offers some insight as to what the blueprint is to defeating the all-time great coach.

• Big Ben Roethlisberger was the first to defeat him as a rookie in 2004, when he went 18/24 for 196 yards and 2 TDs.

• Mark Sanchez, the former Jets QB, defeated Bill in 2009 by going 14/22 with 163 yards and a TD.

• Colt McCoy, the gunslinger out of Texas, managed to get the job done in 2010 going 14/19 for 174 yards and no TDs.

• Russell Wilson brought the heat for Seattle in 2012, going 16/27 for 293 yards and 3 TDs.

• Geno Smith of all people, also a former Jet, went 17/33 for 233 yards with a TD and pick in 2013.

• Most recently, Tua Tagovailoa of the Dolphins just last season, who went 20/26 for 145 yards with a pick and 2 rushing TDs.

What sets these men apart is their lack of turnovers they give up. Not one of them had multiple turnovers in their victory. If Wilson can limit his, he might be able to add his name to this list.

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