New England Patriots Vs. New York Jets Preview: Key Match-Ups Of The Game
The New England Patriots flew under the radar all offseason, while the New York Jets flew around with a target on their plane.
The Jets lost a heart-breaker in their home opener to the Baltimore Ravens 10-9. The Patriots rolled over their opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals, to the tune of 38-24.
Think the Jets will come in with a chip on their shoulder? Perhaps the Patriots will be riding high off their win?
Last year's No.1-ranked pass defense goes against one of the most high-octane pass attacks in the league. Meanwhile, last year's No. 1-ranked rush offense goes up against a defense with major question marks.
Something's brewing in East Rutherford...or maybe that's the massive landfills in New Jersey?
Here's my look at how some of the big matchups could play out when the two teams meet this weekend.
10. Rob Gronkowski Vs. Jets Linebackers and Safeties
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I wonder who will cover Rob Gronkowski. The Jets don't have anyone who matches up with Gronkowski's speed and size. Gronkowski will overpower safeties Jim Leonhard and Brodney Pool. Bryan Thomas is almost big enough, but can't keep up with Gronkowski's speed.
The mismatch of Gronkowski against the guys who will be covering him could eventually force the Jets to put a cornerback on him in coverage.
9. Matt Light Vs. Jason Taylor
2 of 10
This feud has gone on for almost a decade now between the two, when Jason Taylor was with the Miami Dolphins.
Many have questioned Matt Light's lack of athleticism at tackle, and he's been susceptible to edge rushers at times. Taylor had luck against Light in the past, but Taylor didn't record a tackle or a sack in either game as a Dolphin last year.
In 2007, Taylor's only stats came against Matt Cassel, in which he recorded a sack in one game and an interception in another, both on a then-lifetime back-up. Before that, Taylor had racked up a sack in every game he faced the Patriots.
With Calvin Pace out, Jason Taylor will be counted on to create pressure in the passing game. If Matt Light is able to hold down the blind side as he has done so well for so many years, Brady could have far more time in the pocket than the Jets are comfortable giving him.
8. D'Brickashaw Ferguson Vs. Tully Banta-Cain
3 of 10
Tully Banta-Cain has been the posterchild of the New England Patriots' pass rush last year, and logged half a sack against the Bengals (with the help of Myron Pryor). He created a fair amount of pressure against the Bengals, and was the one who nearly got there on Palmer's pick-six to Gary Guyton.
D'Brickashaw Ferguson had a nice game lined up against Terrell Suggs, and looked every bit like the Pro Bowl tackle that the Jets signed to an extension this offseason. He did have a false start penalty that killed a first down for the Jets, but looked good otherwise.
The Jets will probably be running a lot, so Ferguson will be trying to stop Banta-Cain from breaking into the backfield and bringing down Shonn Greene or LaDainian Tomlinson.
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7. Wes Welker Vs. Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson
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Wes Welker proved that he still has his signature quickness with eight receptions for 64 yards and two scores in Sunday's game against the Bengals.
The two young CBs proved that, despite their "Hard Knocks," they were still undisciplined. The two accounted for 60 of New York's 100 first-half penalty yards against the Ravens on Monday night. Each had a pass interference play, and Wilson's put the Ravens on the one-yard line. His holding penalty cost the Jets a stop on 3rd-and-28.
That lack of discipline, and the costly penalties that result, could really hurt them against Welker. If his quickness proves to be too much, watch for the holding and pass interference calls. And God forbid one of them is stuck on an island with Randy Moss.
One deep play pass interference call could swing the momentum for the Patriots.
6. Vince Wilfork Vs. Nick Mangold
5 of 10
This matchup has obvious implications on the running game and whether the Jets are able to get it off the ground, but upon further examination, the two have a lot in common.
Mangold is 6'3", Wilfork is 6'2". Mangold is entering his fifth year in the league, while Wilfork is going on his seventh. Mangold's new contract makes him the highest-paid center in the league, and Wilfork's makes him the second-highest-paid defensive tackle (behind Fat Albert).
The most glaring, however, is a disparity: Mangold went to Ohio State, Wilfork went to Miami.
The two will be lined up face-mask-to-face-mask, and Mangold could once again be given the large task of handling Wilfork on his own a majority of the time. If Wilfork dominates the matchup, the rest of the defensive line and even the linebackers will be opened up to making plays.
Also watch out for the Patriots lining up Wilfork at either end spot, particularly across from guard Matt Slauson, who was exposed against Haloti Ngata for a sack on Monday night.
5. Devin McCourty Vs. Braylon Edwards
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Devin McCourty performed admirably against both Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, covering whoever he faced effectively.
Of course, he showed us that there will be some growing pains, as the Patriots collectively allowed the passing game to march up and down the field in the second half, but I like his chances against lesser competition.
Braylon Edwards was practically invisible on Monday night, reeling in one reception for nine yards. I didn't see the game, so I don't know how often he was thrown to, but it could get ugly if the Patriots can shut down the run and force Mark Sanchez to throw to Edwards' uncertain hands.
4. Shonn Greene Vs. Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes
7 of 10
Shonn Greene's power interior running style was the bread and butter of New York's push in the playoffs. He'll have to do better than his five carries for 18 yards and a lost fumble in Monday night's game against Baltimore. His longest in that game was eight yards.
Brandon Spikes was nearly a no-show in Sunday's game, but didn't really need to do much with Patrick Chung making 16 tackles and Jerod Mayo tacking up 12 takedowns.
But Spikes had better make sure he brings his A-game, because the Jets and their No. 1-ranked rush attack could focus on him if he proves to be the weak link.
3. Randy Moss Vs. Darrelle Revis
8 of 10
Both Randy Moss and Darrelle Revis are considered the class of their position. It's a treat that we get to see them face off two more times before Randy Moss potentially leaves in free agency.
Revis showed the world that he can pretty much roll out of bed and play football on Monday night against the Ravens, effortlessly covering everyone he faced. Moss didn't have a terrible showing, pulling in five receptions for 59 yards and no touchdowns in a game where Welker was the featured target of New England's pass attack.
He'll have to do more against the Jets, but in the two meetings last year, Revis held Moss to just nine catches for 58 yards and a touchdown—hardly the explosive top-off-the-defense Randy Moss we're used to seeing. This matchup will have a huge impact on the game.
2. Jets Defensive Line Vs. Patriots Offensive Line
9 of 10
I tried my best to break this down into a player vs. player matchup like the rest, but ultimately, these two units as a whole will have to be on top of their game on Sunday.
Tom Brady could have taken a nap in the pocket against the Bengals, sitting back there to read the defense for what felt like an eternity. He lit up the boards to the tune of 25-for-35 for 258 yards and three touchdowns.
The Ravens, however, faced a monster of a pass rush in New Meadowlands Stadium on Monday night.
Joe Flacco had very little time in the pocket against the vicious blitzkrieg of the Jets' 46 defense, and was even sacked and fumbled the ball on their first offensive play of the game. He was held to 20-for-38 passes for 248 yards and an interception.
Of course, Flacco is no Brady, and the Bengals defense is no Jets defense, but the Patriots offensive line will have to hold their own against a heavy blitz from the Jets.
Will the Patriots' offensive line hold, or will the Jets break through and harass Brady?
1. Bill Belichick Vs. Rex Ryan
10 of 10
This matchup needs no introduction. This is the meeting of the minds, as the mum and inexpressive Bill Belichick goes up against the brash and bold Rex Ryan.
The two split the series at one apiece last season, and these games will be of even more importance this year with the Jets threatening to overtake the Patriots as front-runners for the division.
Belichick had the defense playing aggressive football against the Bengals on Sunday, holding last year's break-out Cedric Benson to a piddling 2.9-yard average on 15 carries. The offense was almost playing the same circus tune of 2007.
The Jets offense came out flat, but their defense played with ferocity. Their sloppy play exposed weaknesses that not even the non-stop cameras of "Hard Knocks" could find.
In the end, a loss for the Jets could leave Rex Ryan as quiet as Bill Belichick, but a Patriots loss could have Belichick tearing his team a new one just like Ryan did on "Hard Knocks".
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