Who: Jets at Patriots (-3)
When: 8:15PM EST
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
TV: NFLN/WPIX
Radio: ESPN 1050, WABC 770, NFL FieldPass
Weather: Rainy – 43° F
Links: TJB Chat

This is it. This is the game that fans have been circling on their calendar since Week 2 to see what this team is made of. The Jets go into New England on a dark and rainy night to try and assert their dominance, while the wounded Patriots try to prove that no matter who’s playing or not, they still have the Jets number.

Keys to the Game:

1. Limit Welker - In Week 2 we said it and we’ll say it again now “Randy [Moss] and Darrelle [Revis] will be seeing a lot of each other, but look at the slot matchup to be the real determiner as to how this [Patriots] passing game goes. In that game Welker bled the Jets as he helped the team convert crucial first downs three times or get the team into two excellent down and distances on his seven total catches.
2. Slow That O – The Patriots need to get Cassel out of his rhythm. He took a lot of sacks in his early game but he’s getting better. The Jets need to bring pressure in his face to get him to move out of the pocket or bring pressure quick from his blindside.
3. Know Turnovers, No Peace – The Jets have struggled in their last three games against seemingly inferior opponents because of this reason. Favre needs to throw the ball away when he’s in trouble.
4. Swagger or Shuffle? – The Jets are feeling good about this game, but how will the respond if they get down early? The Jets need to play with a lead early to set the tone in this game, and if they don’t they need to show that their confidence is well-founded.

Jets Run Offense v. Pats Run Defense – Both are pretty good, this could more come down to schemes and execution than anything else. The Front Seven are pretty solid of the Patriots, almost interchangeable front to back, but with Ty Warren out and Adalius Thomas injured there’s no telling how this unit comes out and faces the run. The Jets run game has looked great the past few weeks, and to have gotten over on the Bills front four was quite a feat. Look for the Jets to grind out yards on this team

Jets Pass Offense v. Pats Pass Defense – It’s not raining right now, and this area might be the biggest discrepancy in this game. The Jets need to take advantage of this, but not cause turnovers like they did the last time they faced the Patriots, and Favre’s turnovers were part of the difference. I’d look for the Jets to try and use Dustin Keller and their primary receivers to break this game open, but the Patriots are decent defending the pass against runners and Tight Ends. Leon Washington might not get a lot of yardage off of bubble screens and the like.

Jets Run Defense v. Pats Run Offense - The Jets have a great run defense, but the Patriots have a great run offense. So which will impose their will on the other? A lot has been made of Bennie Green-Ellis, and I think he’s a competent back. He’s not really doing anything out of the ordinary, but the fans love him because he grinds out the tough yards that Kool Aid Maroney couldn’t or wouldn’t. I’d like to see how his north-south style plays against Jenkins Ellis and Coleman on early downs. I don’t know that he’s going to be all that successful, but they might give him the ball a lot. Sammy Morris is going to play, as will Faulk, so beware of bubble screeens with Faulk on the field.

Jets Pass Defense v. Pats Pass Offense – I honestly have no idea where Ty Law will be used, but I know where I would use him. I’d put him on Jabar Gaffney, but try to keep him away from Moss and Welker extensively. Or if I did provide some good help over the top. I’d like to see Law used inside and back against Tight Ends … we’ll see if the Jets use him in this way. Darrelle Revis should see extended time with Welker on the downs the Pats are most likely to throw to him, and switch over on longer third downs to Moss. If Lowery wants to prove himself, tonight would be a good time to do it. The Pats would be wise to set up as many mismatches as they can against Lowery or the nickel.

Special Teams – The Patriots are far superior when it comes to kicks. So keep in mind if it’s a close game that this might be a deciding factor. Last time these teams faced each other, the Patriots took Leon Washington effectively out of the game by kicking out the back of the end zone. Look for this again.

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