The matchup between the Jets and the Patriots is once again a highly anticipated event. Both teams maintain they are the better team and both expect to come away with a victory. However, only one team can win the game and only one team is truly better than the other.
After last weekend’s performances by each squad it is being assumed by many that the Patriots are clearly the better team. After all New England ended up completely dominating the Bengals while the Jets lost a hard fought battle with the Baltimore Ravens, which did not seem as close as the final game score indicated. Plus on top of all the preparations, game planning, and strategizing there is some war of words circulating in the media. New England quarterback Tom Brady has been quoted early in the season as saying he hates the Jets and would never watch the Jets on Hard Knocks. For the Jets the most popular smack talk is coming from an interview from last January in which cornerback Darrelle Revis states that Randy Moss is a “slouch” to play against. Regardless of the smack talk amongst the teams there is still a game to be played and there are going to be some key matchups to watch.
The key match-up for the Patriots is going to be Tom Brady and the Patriot receivers against the Jets defense. It is apparent to some that the Jets are going to try and remove Randy Moss from the equation by matching Revis against him for much of the game. This would leave Wes Welker to work his magic against either Antonio Cromartie or rookie Kyle Wilson. After last weekend’s performance by Welker, Moss being blanketed by the best cornerback in the league, and Julian Edelman being listed as questionable it is easy to assume that Welker will be Brady’s top target come kickoff. However, I expect the ball to be distributed around the field to a combination of Patriot receivers including Ben Tate and Kevin Faulk.
Now the key match-up for the Jets will be to see if they can get their running game going against the Patriots from seven. Last week the Patriots were able to keep Cedric Benson in check, but then again they were up early and the Bengals had to resort to throwing the ball. Last week against the Ravens tough run defense the Jets running backs were able to accumulate 107 yards on only 18 carries. Unfortunately for the Jets their top back, Shonn Greene, did not look good in the season opener and was outplayed by San Diego castaway Ladainian Tomlinson. In order for the Jets to win this game they are going to have to commit themselves more to the running game and avoid turning over the ball.
This should be another highly competitive match-up of two teams that truly dislike each other. The key is going to be which team wants the victory more. With a win by the Patriots it would help keep them at the top of the AFC East with a 2-0 record, but more importantly it would push the Jets to the bottom of the division with a 0-2 start. For a team that has been talking championship for much of the off-season this would be an unacceptable start for the Jets. As for the Patriots they need this win to cement themselves as one of the league’s best teams. My prediction is a competitive victory by the Patriots, but then again this contest is being played in New York and the home crowd could influence the matchup. Expect a rowdy crowd, a game full of big hits, and two teams that already hate each other to leave the field with more contempt for each other.
After last weekend’s performances by each squad it is being assumed by many that the Patriots are clearly the better team. After all New England ended up completely dominating the Bengals while the Jets lost a hard fought battle with the Baltimore Ravens, which did not seem as close as the final game score indicated. Plus on top of all the preparations, game planning, and strategizing there is some war of words circulating in the media. New England quarterback Tom Brady has been quoted early in the season as saying he hates the Jets and would never watch the Jets on Hard Knocks. For the Jets the most popular smack talk is coming from an interview from last January in which cornerback Darrelle Revis states that Randy Moss is a “slouch” to play against. Regardless of the smack talk amongst the teams there is still a game to be played and there are going to be some key matchups to watch.
The key match-up for the Patriots is going to be Tom Brady and the Patriot receivers against the Jets defense. It is apparent to some that the Jets are going to try and remove Randy Moss from the equation by matching Revis against him for much of the game. This would leave Wes Welker to work his magic against either Antonio Cromartie or rookie Kyle Wilson. After last weekend’s performance by Welker, Moss being blanketed by the best cornerback in the league, and Julian Edelman being listed as questionable it is easy to assume that Welker will be Brady’s top target come kickoff. However, I expect the ball to be distributed around the field to a combination of Patriot receivers including Ben Tate and Kevin Faulk.
Now the key match-up for the Jets will be to see if they can get their running game going against the Patriots from seven. Last week the Patriots were able to keep Cedric Benson in check, but then again they were up early and the Bengals had to resort to throwing the ball. Last week against the Ravens tough run defense the Jets running backs were able to accumulate 107 yards on only 18 carries. Unfortunately for the Jets their top back, Shonn Greene, did not look good in the season opener and was outplayed by San Diego castaway Ladainian Tomlinson. In order for the Jets to win this game they are going to have to commit themselves more to the running game and avoid turning over the ball.
This should be another highly competitive match-up of two teams that truly dislike each other. The key is going to be which team wants the victory more. With a win by the Patriots it would help keep them at the top of the AFC East with a 2-0 record, but more importantly it would push the Jets to the bottom of the division with a 0-2 start. For a team that has been talking championship for much of the off-season this would be an unacceptable start for the Jets. As for the Patriots they need this win to cement themselves as one of the league’s best teams. My prediction is a competitive victory by the Patriots, but then again this contest is being played in New York and the home crowd could influence the matchup. Expect a rowdy crowd, a game full of big hits, and two teams that already hate each other to leave the field with more contempt for each other.
