Jets Vs. Patriots: Five Keys To Each Team Winning on Monday Night Football

The matchups between the New England Patriots and New York Jets often bear many storylines. This one, however, could be of the most importance for AFC East dominance.

At least, that's what every writer has said over the past 10 days in anticipation of this showdown.

And sure, many have probably given you their keys to victory along the way. But here are my takes on what each team can do to improve their chances of winning on Monday night.

Patriots: Keep The Pressure Away From Tom Brady

Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. New England defeated Detroit 45-24. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

This should go without saying, but it becomes of utmost importance against the Jets. Although they haven't reached the quarterback as frequently as they may like, with only 24 sacks on the season, the numbers lie in that regard.

Their pass rush has been, and still has the ability to be, disruptive against the Patriots offense.

It's no secret that Jason Taylor has given the Patriots fits, having logged a sack in each of his contests against them prior to 2007. He made his presence felt again in Week 2, with the sack-and-fumble that essentially ended the game.

But the Jets also have Calvin Pace, another capable edge rusher who is also capable of getting after the quarterback.

The Jets will bring the heat with overload blitzes to at least throw Brady's timing off. Even if they don't get a sack, getting a hand or even a hit on him will mess with his internal clock.

Jets: Run To Set Up The Pass

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 14: Running back Shonn Greene #23 of the New York Jets runs by Eric Barton #50 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

It's easy to get caught up in the low rankings of the Patriots pass defense, so some may prescribe to the notion that the best way to beat them is to pass all day.

If the Jets can run the ball effectively (which they've done so frequently this year), it will really open things up for Sanchez by slowing down the pass rush and allowing him to sit back in the pocket and pick apart the Patriots secondary.

Patriots: Run The Ball Effectively

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Danny Woodhead #39 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown in the second half despite the defense of Kelvin Hayden #26 of the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Pat

It's not about getting the running backs 10 or 15 carries a game. The running game can be plenty effective for the Patriots without a high number of carries.

When the Patriots do run, however, they need to do so effectively. Two-and-three-yard carries won't do it against a Jets defense that preys on second-and-third-and-long situations.

That will be much easier said than done against a run defense that ranks fourth in the league overall and allows a paltry 3.4 yards per rush.

Jets: Minimize Mistakes on Offense

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Packers defeated the Jets 9-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaa

How many times have you heard this week that the Patriots pass defense ranks dead last? Enough to make you want to rip your eyes out?

The understated strength of the Patriots defense, though, is the ability to capitalize on mistakes and to cause confusion. They have 15 interceptions this season, ranking fourth in the league in that category.

They are 7-0 when they win the turnover battle, and currently sit at the second-best ranking in the league with a plus-11 turnover differential.

Mark Sanchez has done a much better job of protecting the ball this season than last and, if he can continue that trend, the Jets could capitalize on a porous pass defense.

Patriots: Intense Interior Pressure

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Nick Mangold #74 of the New York Jets blocks Vince Wilfork #74 of the New England Patriots during their game on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Ge

The Jets run the ball very effectively, but if there's a weak link on the offensive line, it's Matt Slauson.

Haloti Ngata knocked over him like a bowling pin in Week 1 to land a big sack on Mark Sanchez. Though he's improved a bit since then, he's the lineman the Patriots should be attacking.

We saw Gerard Warren have a huge game against the Jets in Week 2, tallying two sacks as the Patriots were able to keep Sanchez off-balance early. Once that pressure stopped getting there, it was lights-out.

Not only will the interior pressure get to Sanchez, but it will also help the Patriots shut down the vicious-and-effective running game.

Jets: Intense Interior Pressure

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: Sione Pouha #91 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 Image

Wait...what? No, I'm not simply copying the slide before.

The Patriots' offensive line is known for being exposed against speedy edge rushers. The Jets have Calvin Pace and Jason Taylor, so there's no doubt the Patriots know what to expect in that regard.

Alge Crumpler is really coming along as a blocking tight end. Getting that extra chip on either rusher will give Brady enough time to get the ball off.

What will really throw him off, though, is pressure right up the gut. Logan Mankins is one tough son-of-a-gun and he won't go down without a fight.

If the Jets are able to prevent Brady from stepping into his throws, the misfires will help them compensate for the Jets' inability to create turnovers.

Patriots: Expose The Middle of The Defense

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Aaron Hernandez #85 of the New England Patriots runs through a tackle from David Harris #52 of the New York Jets during the first quarter at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jer

The Jets love to blitz but, in turn, their overloads often leave the middle of the defense exposed. This was proven in Week 11's game against the Texans, in which Joel Dreessen went off for 106 yards.

The task gets more difficult with the absence of Jim Leonhard, lost on Saturday to a tibia injury he sustained at practice.

Aaron Hernandez also had a successful game in Week 2 against the Jets, with six receptions for 101 yards.

Look for him and Rob Gronkowski to both have big games if the Patriots are to pull out the victory.

Jets: Feed Dustin Keller

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Dustin Keller #81 of the New York Jets celebrates the first down in the overtime quarter as Brandon Meriweather #31 of the New England Patriots kneels nearby on November 13, 2008 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. T

Dustin "Patriots Killer" Keller seems to always be at the top of his game when he's lining up opposite the Patriots defense.

On his career, he has 22 receptions for 281 yards and two touchdowns in five games, including seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown in the Week 2 game.

He's always been a third-down converting machine as well, and, likewise, the Patriots defense is historically bad on third downs. They're currently the worst team in the league.

The Patriots don't have a consistent answer for covering him in their linebacking corps and Sanchez should have no problem getting him the ball early and often.

Patriots: Crisp Routes, Quick Throws

Harry How/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots lines up at scrimmage against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on October 24, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The intense pressure of the Jets defense will force Tom Brady to make his reads quickly, but the responsibility doesn't fall on him entirely. It's up to the Patriots receivers to get open quickly by running crisp routes so that Brady can make the on-target throws.

It's no secret that Antonio Cromartie has struggled at times against smaller, quicker receivers. The Patriots feature a lot of those, with Wes Welker, Deion Branch, and Julian Edelman. That's a deficiency they'll have to expose early and often if they want to build rhythm on offense.

Jets: Win The Special Teams Battle

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 25: Brad Smith #16 of the New York Jets returns a 90 yard touchdown with one shoe past Aaron Pettrey #4 of the Cincinnati Bengals at New Meadowlands Stadium on November 25, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defea

Brad Smith is as dynamic a kick returner as Shayne Graham is a mediocre kicker. Smith's 29.2 yards per return leads the league and he returned a kick for a touchdown on Thanksgiving with one shoe.

The Patriots special teams unit started hot this season, but it has cooled off quicker than the New England winter.

Graham has been reliable thus far kicking field goals, but the Patriots will be better off if they can put this game out of reach before it comes down to that.