Jets-Patriots Week Two: Discussion at the Bleacher-Report Roundtable

Excitement continues to build at astronomical rates, as fans of the New York Jets prepare to welcome the New England Patriots to the Meadowlands on Sept. 14. With Tom Brady out for the season, expectations for this game are varying across the board.

Will New England still be a powerhouse without the face of their franchise? Can the Jets take advantage and finally overcome the team that has dominated their division for the better part of a decade?

Mike Dussault and Angel Navedo met at the AFC East Roundtable to discuss the new climate of the division, and what fans should expect in the first Jets-Patriots showdown of 2008.


Without Tom Brady, does this game become a must win for the New York Jets?

MD: I tend to think that it is. If they lose at home to the Pats, with Matt Cassel playing quarterback, it could be a pretty demoralizing loss. It's their home opener, and they have a legit quarterback for the first time in a long time. They need a win that will send the message that they are contenders.

AN: Every game is a must-win! Starting off 2-0, especially in this division, is of the essence. Tom Brady or none, the Patriots are a tough team. Getting the first win was impressive, but being able to secure back-to-back wins from division rivals, and teams whose 2007 records were on complete opposite ends of the spectrum will be a testament to the Jets' offseason efforts.

What were the biggest surprises from your team in Week One? Which players caught you off-guard?

MD: For the Pats, I was most impressed with the defense. Jerod Mayo looked legit and rarely left the field. And Lewis Sanders/Deltha O'Neal did just fine in replacing Asante Samuel.

The defense already looks better than last years', and stopping Kansas City on the five-yard line to end the game should be a huge confidence builder going forward.

Obviously, I was most disappointed in the passing game with Cassel at the helm. He made a couple plays, but only a couple. With Brady gone, the Patriots are in trouble. I know that they will try to game plan around Cassel's strengths (incompletions) and weaknesses (not being good at quarterback) to put him a position to succeed. Hopefully.

AN: Brett Favre's career is well documented, but I was still surprised with the quality of play. He did things that Jets fans aren't used to. His touchdown lob to Chansi Stuckey was marvelous. Maneuvering out from under pressure and still finding enough time to read the field and make something happen on 4th-and-13 is incredible.

Thomas Jones also showed that he can run with a good offensive line. The Jets need him to build on that.

As for disappointments, the special teams keep breaking my heart. I understand Mike Nugent was injured—but for it to happen when he planted his leg after a kick is insanity! Special-teams coverage needs to improve overall. They can't lose field-position battles, especially when the Jets have been so good at it for the majority of the last decade!


Are the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins that good, or did the teams perform that poorly?

AN: It's tough to call. Tom Brady may have been hurt, but he doesn't play defense. Allowing the Chiefs to threaten overtime with a backup QB in the final seconds places the Patriots' defense under the microscope.

The Jets aren't impervious to similar criticism though. Miami was a 1-15 team. Maybe they were driven by Pennington's passion and emotion. But one has to wonder if both teams are the real deal, or if the Jets and Patriots had an off afternoon.

Or, maybe two bottom-feeders of 2007 are on the verge of being competitive.

MD:

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