How the New York Jets Must Improve To Beat the New England Patriots

The New York Jets disappointed many with the way they played against the Ravens on Monday night. They played a terrible offensive game and made many mental mistakes on defense.

Trying to avoid an 0-2 start, they will welcome in the New England Patriots on Sunday, and they must stop Tom Brady, who looked awfully good in their win over the Bengals.

What do the Jets have to do in order to beat the Patriots? Find out here.

Stay Focused

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 13: Anquan Boldin #81 of the Baltimore Ravens catches a pass over Kyle Wilson #20 of the New York Jets during their home opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo b

One of the most important things the Jets will have to do on Sunday is stay more focused and commit less silly penalties.

In their 10-9 loss to the Ravens, the Jets committed 14 penalties for 125 yards, something that hands teams first downs, or costs your team a bunch.

The worst of them all was a third-and-29 defensive holding penalty on rookie corner back Kyle Wilson. It automatically gifted Joe Flacco and the Ravens an impossible first down.

From holding to offsides to pass interference penalties, the Jets gave themselves no room for error. Whether it was trying too hard to live up to coach Rex Ryan's offseason hype, the Jets will have to quit hurting themselves for a team that had absolutely no offense.

Tom Brady doesn't need gifts from the Jets defense.

If They're Going to Rush the QB, Sack Him

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: Shaun Ellis #92 of the New York Jets in action against the Washington Redskins during their preseason game on August 27, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Imag

The Jets, along with many defensive penalties, also had an awful time stopping third downs. The Ravens converted on 11 of them, and the Jets just left too many guys open.

By blitzing and sending every linebacker at Flacco, it allowed him to find a receiver playing man-to-man to throw at. Most of the time, Kyle Wilson was covering Anquan Boldin and he was beat.

If the Jets are going to continue to rush the quarterback, especially on third down, they must sack him. They can't continuously allow them to stay on their feet and find open targets downfield. Then they'll start allowing less passing yards.

Take More Advantage in Positive Territory

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 13: Dustin Keller #81 of the New York Jets catches a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during their home opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Ge

If the Jets are going to beat the Patriots, they're going to have to score when they can. Not only points, but make sure they're seven, not just three.

The Jets had a chance to immediately put seven up on Baltimore on Monday when they stripped Flacco after a sack. They started at Baltimore's 11 yard line, but gained only six yards, and settled for a field goal.

In fact, the Jets didn't score a touchdown in the entire game, and when that happens, you hope to kick a ton of field goals.

Three field goals weren't enough, as the Jets couldn't convert on the final drive on a fourth-and-10, losing the game by one point.

Tom Brady and the Patriots, on the other hand, scored four touchdowns in their win over the Bengals, although the Jets do have a stellar defense.

Let Darrelle Revis Cover Randy Moss

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SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 17: Cornerback Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets warms up on the field prior to the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on January 17, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald M

By far the biggest mistake the Jets made in their game against the Ravens was not letting Darrelle Revis cover Anquan Boldin, Baltimore's best receiver.

Coach Rex Ryan wanted Revis to start out with limited work because he missed the entire training camp, and that may have been smart, because Revis has a tight hamstring. But even so, Revis is paid, no matter what, to cover opponent's best receivers.

Boldin was covered by rookie Kyle Wilson and had a huge game, going for seven catches and 110 yards.

The Patriots' best receiver happens to be Randy Moss, and the Jets must let Revis cover him, otherwise he'll have a bigger game than Boldin and completely wreck the game apart.

Let Mark Sanchez Pass the Ball More

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets is tackled by LaRon Landry #30 of the Washington Redskins during their preseason game on August 27, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by

Tom Brady knows how to throw balls way downfield to open targets and gain huge yardage. Mark Sanchez barely knows how to throw the ball, period.

The way the Jets have babied him, you'd think they don't want to play with him. Sanchez made a grand total of 21 pass attempts on Monday night, and only converted 10 of them anyway.

His line in the box score showed no interceptions, but it was impossible for him to throw one. When he made passes, they were dinks and dunks, and really none were launched downfield.

The Jets let go of Thomas Jones in the offseason and signed receiver Santonio Holmes, but he won't be playing for another three weeks. The Jets can't wait that long to allow Sanchez the freedom to take more control of the offense.

What a repeat performance against the Patriots will do is hand the Jets two straight home defeats. Even with the Jets great defense, Brady will not be shut down.

Therefore, it's time for Brian Schottenheimer to call more pass plays for his second-year quarterback.