Patriots vs. Jets: Breaking Down New England's Game Plan

When the New England Patriots and New York Jets meet, it truly is a game where you can throw out the records. When multiple contests in the last two years have come down to blocked field goals, you know you have a close matchup.

The Jets (3-11) are perhaps the opposite of a mirror image of the Patriots (11-3). They haven't dealt well with adversity, they haven't recovered from injuries and they can't find an identity on the offensive side of the football. That said, this will be no easy win for Bill Belichick's roster.

Here is what New England needs to do in order to take another step toward the AFC's No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Patriots Defense vs. Jets Offense

When you look at the Jets offense—which certainly has been offensive at times this year—you have to look at stopping the run. The running game came up often when Belichick and the other Patriots coaches addressed the media Tuesday:

"

They have a lot of good runners: [Chris] Ivory probably runs as hard as any player we've played against recently. [Chris] Johnson has a lot of skill; [Geno] Smith hurt us running in the first game. He's a good runner, he's a very athletic guy, can scramble in the passing game. They ran a bunch of reverses – [Jeremy] Kerley, obviously [Percy] Harvin. They use a lot of people in their running game to make you defend from sideline to sideline, as well as the inside power-type games and some read-option plays. They have a very extensive and diverse running game. We're going to really have to – this will probably be the most volume of running game schemes and run game issues that they create that we've had in quite a while, certainly all year. 

"

Containing on the edges will be key to preventing big plays in the running game. Vince Wilfork, Sealver Siliga, Alan Branch and Dont'a Hightower will clean up inside, but if the ends don't hold, there will be chunks of yardage available to the Jets running backs.

A strong start on offense may be one of the most important puzzle pieces in stopping Geno Smith and the offense. If you can turn the Jets into a one-dimensional attack and place the reins of the game in Smith's hands, there will be opportunities for turnovers.

As for cornerback matchups this week, I expect to see Brandon Browner and a safety on Eric Decker, with Darrelle Revis splitting time on Jeremy Kerley and Percy Harvin.

Patriots Offense vs. Jets Defense

In the first meeting with the Jets this year, the Patriots offense held the ball for less than 20 minutes, allowing their own defense to wear down while New York's rested. Quick drives and a multitude of three-and-outs were the main culprit.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels noted that converting third downs is how you beat the Jets defense:

"

They challenge you with their scheme. They don't give up many big plays. You have to work to drive the ball against them, and they make it difficult for you to do that and stay balanced while you're doing it because they defend the running game so well. We've got to do better than what we did in the first game. We didn't have the ball much, and that's because we had too many three-and-outs, didn't do a good enough job on third down of converting when we had our opportunities.

"

Shane Vereen was a big key in the first Jets game—he was the leading receiver and rusher for New England—and should be an early option on third down for Tom Brady. If too much attention is given to Rob Gronkowski, Vereen should find space in the flats to move the chains.

While the Jets defensive line is quite stout, expect McDaniels to probe it with some carries from Jonas Gray and LeGarrette Blount. If they can get some positive yardage, it will open up the passing game that much more.

USA TODAY Sports

What They're Saying

Brandon Browner has been in the news lately, for both the right and wrong reasons. Big plays and big penalties seem to follow him around. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia contemplated the amount of flags being thrown on the defense:

"

Obviously we are always going to coach and teach within the rules as [they] are explained to us and we are trying to abide by those rules. I think collectively as a whole we are always trying to eliminate penalties. It is something we are trying to do whether it's from the coaching aspect of it or the playing aspect of it. You know you can't have them. They are things that we look upon as detrimental to a drive, to a series, to a play. [It's] something we are continually trying to eliminate from our game. So I don't think there's a situation where you are ever walking away saying, ‘Hey, that penalty is OK'. We are always trying to coach within the rules. We are trying to coach what the point of emphasis is and we're trying to do whatever we can to eliminate penalties from our play. 

"

If Belichick or Patricia were truly upset about Browner's penalties, he wouldn't be playing. They have benched players for far less. He sets the tone on defense and his teammates match it. He creates turnovers when he isn't flagged and wears down receivers.

While Browner's yellow laundry may extend a drive or two each game, he is more than capable of ending that same drive later on.

Tale of the Tape

Quarterback

Tom Brady is playing on a different level than Geno Smith right now. There really is no comparison to make here.

Verdict: Patriots

Running Backs 

Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson bring the same one-two punch that the three-headed combination of Vereen, Grary and Blount delivers. They can't be taken lightly.

Verdict: Push 

Wide Receivers

While Percy Harvin has brought some excitement—in name if not in deed—to the Jets offense, it really is too little, too late. The depth of this Patriots unit far exceeds what New York can produce.

Verdict: Patriots

USA TODAY Sports

Tight Ends

Rob Gronkowski is an alien. People that big shouldn't be able to move like he does. Jace Amaro should watch and learn how the big boys play this game.

Verdict: Patriots

Offensive Line

Nick Mangold is still the best center in the league, but his compatriots have been average at best. Bryan Stork, however, has been lifted up by the strong play of the rest of his line, who have jelled as the year has progressed.

Verdict: Patriots

Defensive Line 

The strength of the Jets lies in their dominant defensive line, although New England's line is creeping up into their area. If Muhammad Wilkerson is less than 100 percent, however, that takes away a constant double-team.  

Verdict: Jets

Linebackers

Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower make up the best young linebacker duo in the league. Their ability to play in the opponent's backfield as well as the defensive backfield makes them worth multiple roster spots.

Verdict: Patriots

USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Backs

As countless Jets defenders get injured, New England's secondary continues to progress and grow. Alfonzo Dennard is a healthy scratch for the Patriots, but would likely start for the Jets.

Verdict: Patriots

Special Teams

The punters and returners have all had strong years. Stephen Gostkowski gives New England a slight advantage over Nick Folk, who has missed five kicks this year compared to Gostkowski's two.

Verdict: Patriots

Overall: Patriots, 7-1-1

On paper, the Patriots have a slight advantage in a lot of categories and a big advantage in one: Quarterback. Don't expect a blowout come Sunday; this is Rex Ryan's Super Bowl.

Wednesday's Injury Report Analysis (via Patriots.com)

Out: Dominique Easley (IR)

Limited: Danny Aiken, Kyle Arrington, LeGarrette Blount, Dan Connolly, Julian Edelman, Cameron Fleming, Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower, Brandon LaFell, Shane Vereen, Rob Ninkovich, Chris White

Full: Tom Brady

Not a lot of new developments other than Easley being placed on season-ending injured reserve. Managing injuries with the playoffs locked up will continue to be a theme.

For the Jets, Percy Harvin missed practice with an ankle injury, while Muhammad Wilkerson was limited with a toe issue.

Stats and figures courtesy of NFL.com.