New York Jets vs. New England Patriots: Who Has the Edge?

Tonight will mark an epic showdown between the top two teams in the NFL. The winner of this will hold the key to winning the AFC East by taking a one game lead on the loser.

But who holds all the cards? Who has the advantage when it comes to each position? Both have solid teams and are tops in the NFL. Tonight's showdown between these two teams on Monday Night Football will end all the talk about whose better and who should be #1 in the NFL for good.

Get ready for a good old fashioned showdown between the beasts of the NFL.

Quarterbacks

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots gestures during the first quarter of the game at Ford Field on November 25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

This seriously can't even be a discussion. Tom Brady over Mark Sanchez any day of the week. Tom Brady is a 3-time Super Bowl champion, he is Mr. Cool under pressure and every time you need him to hit a target he does so with outrageous accuracy and arm strength.

This is their stat comparison for this season:

Mark Sanchez- 201-364, 2473 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. That's with a 55.2% completion.

Tom Brady- 236-356, 2703 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Tom Brady has a 66.3% completion this season.

Big numbers and a big difference between the two. Sanchez had a great first half don't get me wrong and he is still on my fantasy team but the future Hall of Famer, Tom Brady, is obviously just the better quarterback.

Edge- Tom Brady

Secondary

The Jets have a great secondary led by All-Pro cornerback DAH-RELLE RE-VIS. God I love doing that. The Jets have the third best passing defense in the league behind the other New York team, the Giants, and the San Diego Chargers.

They have done that without Revis for two games and will now face the test with safety Jim Leonhard now missing the rest of the season.

The Patriots have Devin McCourty. McCourty is tied for 4th in the NFL for interceptions with 5. But, unlike the Jets pass defense they are ranked all the way at the bottom of the league in passing defense. They are ranked 30th in the NFL in pass defense. The only teams worse then them? Houston and Seattle. Ouch.

Edge- New York Jets Secondary

Running Game

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 03: LaDanian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 3, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Jets won 38-14. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Ok, here is where things get tricky. The Jets are led by LaDanian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene at running back. This Jets running game is ranked 4th in rushing yards in the entire NFL. But, they are tied for 15th in the NFL for rushing touchdowns.

Now on the other hand, New England is led at running back by BenJarvus Green-Ellis and perennial short man stand out, Danny Woodhead. New England is the exact opposite of the New York Jets. They are tied for 4th in rushing touchdowns but are 13th in the league in rushing yards.

I am more inclined to take the yards over the touchdowns because New England's passing game sets up those easy 2 or 3 yard touchdown runs. Plus, when it comes down to it, I like the combination of Tomlinson and Greene more then the Green-Ellis and the gimmicky Woodhead.

Edge- New York Jets Running Game

Linebackers

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: Bart Scott #57 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

The Patriots have good linebackers led by Jerrod Mayo. Their 3-4 defense is the base scheme like the Jets and also have other linebackers start like Brandon Spikes, Jermaine Cunningham and Rob Ninkovich. The Patriots linebackers are made up of two rookies from the 1st and 2nd round. That's not nearly enough to fight with the Jets linebackers

The Jets 3-4 scheme is led by loud mouth Bart Scott. After Scott, you have inside linebacker David Harris and outside linebackers, Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas. The Jets have a great defense that is 3rd in rushing defense and 13th in pass defense.

You can't go against the Jets linebackers as Scott and Harris are nearly shut down compared to the inexperienced Patriots linebackers who have been shown up time and time again this season.

Edge- New York Jets Linebackers

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots congratulates teammate Wes Welker #83 after a fourth quarter touchdown during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. New England def

If Moss was still in a Patriots uniform this would probably be a lot easier then it is now. The Patriots have Wes Welker, Brandon Tate, Deion Branch, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. All who have played well and are 18th in the league in receiving yards. But, they are tied for 4th in receiving touchdowns in the NFL.

Wes Welker may be having a down year but with Danny Woodhead filling in sometimes for him and Aaron Hernandez on his A game, they are deadly.

On the other hand you have the Jets who have Braylon Edwards, Dustin Keller, Jerricho Cotchery, Santonio Holmes and gimmick player Brad Smith. Santonio has emerged since his suspension and has played nearly flawless. But, the numbers speak for themselves when you look at them; 29th in receiving yards and 17th in touchdowns.

Of course you look at this and go, well it's because they have Brady and the Jets have Sanchez. Well then I guess there is your answer as to has the best receivers.

Edge- New England Patriots Receivers

Defensive Line

Al Bello/Getty Images

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

This one is not even close.

Just need these stats:

Jets- 3rd in rushing defense, 24.0 sacks

Patriots- 18th in rushing defense, 20.0 sacks

Yeah. Exactly my point.

Edge- New York Jets Defensive Line

Offensive Line

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 20: Logan Mankins #70 of the New England Patriots against the New York Jets at Giants Stadium on September 20, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The Patriots offensive line is anchored heavy on their left side with tackle Matt Light and guard Logan Mankins. The Patriots offensive line is doing a solid job of protecting Tom Brady only allowing 15 sacks good for 7th best in the NFL.

Then you have the Jets. The Jets are led by an impressive offensive line that is solid as a rock at points. Nick Mangold at center, Ferguson and Woody at tackle and then Slauson and Moore at guard. But, they have allowed Sanchez to be sacked a total of 19 times which makes them tied for 13th in the league.

Not bad but, not better then the Pats.

Edge- New England Patriots

Coaching

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots gives instructions against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Rex Ryan is a great coach. He knows how to do it and learned well from his father. It's in his blood to coach football. Ryan has helped tremendously in reviving the Jets franchise into AFC Title contenders. He deserves all the praise he gets because he simply knows how to coach.

But, as much of a fan I am of Rex Ryan, he is facing Bill Belichick. Even Ryan admitted to him being one of the best. Belichick has a lifetime record of 172-99, has resurrected the Patriots franchise and has won three Super Bowl Titles. Do I need to say more? The man is a genius when it comes to the X's and O's. Fear the hoodie.

Edge- Bill Belichick

Final Analysis

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 25: A New York Jets fan watches the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at New Meadowlands Stadium on November 25, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Bengal 26-10. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Imag

Both tied through the end but, I will give the slight edge to the New York Jets based upon how close they were in numerous categories. Each defensive spot the Patriots lost was a blow out as they are ranked in the bottom half in yards, both passing and rushing.

Defense wins championships and, in this case, very important football games.

Winner of tonight's Rumble in Foxboro:

New York Jets- 24

New England Patriots 14