The Patriots and Jets, filled with distractions early in the season, seem to have both gotten their acts together to make a legitimate run for the AFC East crown. The Jets, lead by Brett Favre and Thomas Jones, will have their hands full, as Matt Cassell is coming into his own, and Bill Belichick has dominated the Jets' star QB in his Patriots tenure.
What To Look For
Patriots
Look for the Patriots to throw to Moss in double-coverage. The Patriots need the middle of the field open, and getting the ball to Moss will forced the secondary to move a few steps back to open up room. Don't be surprised if Moss isn't a factor the entire game.
Look for the Patriots to use Faulk and Welker on screens. The Jets defense has a very big guy in the middle in Chris Jenkins, and fast linebackers and safeties. With the addition of Ty Law, its going to make for a tight field. The screens will be good because their linebackers aren't really big, and good blocking will create successful big plays down-field.
Look for the defense to drop back on Favre. The field is soggy, and the 3 down-linemen for the Patriots have been tough on the run even when outnumbered at the line. Look for a couple of blitzes to rattle Favre, hoping a mistake will ensue from the rainy weather conditions tonight.
Patriots will give the Jets the Nickels and Dimes. Not the defensive schemes, but the ability to seemingly go up the field with 3 & 4 yard plays. Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, and Vincent Wilfork will need to place some pressure at the line, and shut down the 3rd & shorts.
Jets
Look for Favre to pass the torch to Thomas Jones. Jones has become a one-man wrecking machine when the ball is in his hands. Leon Washington is a great supplemental playmaker. The conditions would suit the Jets better to keep the ball on the ground.
The Jets need to confuse the hell out of Matt Cassell. Linebacker, safety blitzes and more will be storming the pockets, forcing Cassell to make a mistake. Look for some bigger help ( such as Dave Thomas or Heath Evans ) to come and pick up blitzers.
Look for Ty Law to have some influence in the game. This is a great storyline for this game, and hopefully Ty Law can show he can be of use to the Jets. Look for him to connect with Gafney or Welker; Moss is being covered by Darelle Revis.
In Order For Jets To Win
Run the ball.
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about 1 month ago
Contrary to popular belief, running the ball is not the bread and butter of a winning feast for the Jets tonight. The pats will be overly focused on stopping the run. L. Coles, Cotchery, and Stucci (with Keller) need to make catches. Jets need to play to win, and that means moving the ball downfield in larger chunks at a time and tossing it into the zone. Although, of course, the run needs to be a part of the mix. It's supposed to be lousy, wet weather, but that affects all aspects of the game - it doesn't have to put a moritorium on passing.
from about 1 month ago
I was going to talk more about the routes and how they would change with the game. The Jets essentially have more down-field weapons, but I really do believe Belichick has his number and it won't bode well for him to have 30+ passes by the end of the game.
Belichick has problems against teams who run it and hold the ball for loads of times. The Broncos, Chargers, the Jets need to re-invent their team around Jones just for this game.
I don't know who is playing for Adalius Thomas, but I do look for screens or quick routes to screw with whatever rookie or second stringer in that spot.
I see Coles having a big game, but Belichick wouldn't have them making plays down the field, and he will leave his safeties away from scrimmage.
That was the only reason I mentioned the importance of the run game.
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