One team seems to have solved some of its problems. The other keeps creating new ones.

The New England Patriots (4-2) play the New York Jets (1-5) to open Week 7 of the NFL schedule on Thursday night. The Patriots are playing their first home AFC East division game and home usually treats them well. They’ve won 15 in a row against divisional foes at Gillette Stadium, one shy of tying for the third longest such streak in NFL history.

The Jets? Well, their quarterback, Geno Smith, might as well giftwrap the football, considering how often he gives it away. And that’s when he’s not missing meetings or cursing at fans. The Jets have lost five straight. Six is a good bet.

GAMES WE’RE WATCHING ON SUNDAY

Cleveland Browns (3-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-6): OK, it’s not a marquee matchup. But the Browns have begun to resemble the old Kardiac Kids with Brian Hoyer establishing himself as a quarterback who can lead. They’re fun, at long last. The Jaguars usually compete but don’t have enough talent.

Cincinnati Bengals (3-1-1) at Indianapolis Colts (4-2): The Bengals started the season 3-0 and this will be a difficult game in which to turn things around. The Colts started 0-2 and have won their last four. The Bengals’ tie came last Sunday when Mike Nugent missed a 36-yard field goal on the final play of overtime.

New York Giants (3-3) at Dallas Cowboys (5-1): The Giants were dreadful in a 27-0 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys have won five in a row. This is Dallas’ first NFC East game.

San Francisco 49ers (4-2) at Denver Broncos (4-1): Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has thrown 506 touchdown passes in his illustrious career and needs three to pass Brett Favre for the all-time NFL lead.

Today’s question

Can the Giants get their offense moving again and can their defense stop Dallas running back DeMarco Murray’s streak of six consecutive games with 100 or more rushing yards?

Answers in the comment box, please.

Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .