Jets Picked Apart By Patriots, 31-17

The Jets were exactly what the Patriots needed after the Colts loss.

A division rival that beat them early in the season.

An opponent that did a lot of trash talking and backed it up in week #2.

The Patriots are not the same team and neither are the Jets.

Both teams have been going in opposite directions.

New England has gone 5-2 since their last meeting and the Jets have been sinking in the standings, losing 5 out of 6.

The Jets were ripe for the picking.

Leigh Bodden picked off Mark Sanchez for the hat trick(3 times for you non hockey fans), returning one to the house for New England’s first score.

Wes Welker picked apart the New York defense for 15 catches and 195 yards.

Do you think he was missed in the previous meeting between these two teams?

The numbers say it all.

Wes Welker is the X-Factor and the offensive MVP of this team hands down.

Revis blanketed Moss (5 catches for 34 yards, 1td) most of the game, but Brady found Welker time and time again underneath.

The Patriots when fully healthy are very hard to defend.

Take away Moss, Welker will scorch you. And he did.

Brady (28 of 41 for 310 yards, 1td) and the offense started off quickly, opening a 24 point lead mid way through the second quarter. However, they also had great starts against Denver and Indianapolis, but squandered those leads.

The Jets made the neck hairs of every Patriots fan stand on end when they blocked a punt for a touchdown at the end of the second quarter.

Momentum swing?

Sanchez actually threw a strike to Jerricho Cotchery (and not Bodden for a change) to cut the Patriots lead to 24-14 in the third quarter.

Momentum turning?

Gulp.

Flashbacks of Indianapolis were dancing across every Patriots fans mind.

Here we go again.

Not so fast.

The New England defense had something to prove.

No fourth and 2 decisions needed on this day.

Bill Belichick could rely on his defense to hold a lead and they did just that.

Mark Sanchez and the Jets could not muster any inkling of an offensive attack in the final quarter.

Laurence Maroney (22 rushes for 77 yards) ran well again and chewed up the clock. He added two more touchdowns, but also added another fumble.

Fred Taylor, how is the ankle buddy?

Final Score Patriots 31, Jets 17

The Patriots followed up the Indy meltdown with a complete team effort on both sides of the ball.

They will need to be sound against the undefeated Saints next week down in the Bayou.

Let’s hope the Patriots can have a similar performance in the Superdome as they did in a few other big games.

Joe Gill is a featured blogger for Boston Sports Then and Now, Rootzoo.com and Trufan.com