Jets vs. Patriots: 10 Reasons This Game Will Be Closer Than the Last One

After their win against the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, the New York Jets will have the pleasure of facing the New England Patriots again on Jan. 16 in Foxborough.

After a 45-3 thrashing in Foxborough in Week 13, it doesn't look good for the Jets on the surface.

After all, many people consider the Patriots to be the Super Bowl favorite.

But maybe the Jets have a chance. Maybe the Jets have something going for them since the Week 13 throttling.

Here are 10 Reasons This Game Will Be Closer Than the Last One.

10. It Can't Get Any Worse Than Week 13

Chris Chambers/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Wayne Hunter #78 of the New York Jets looks on against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

Losing 45-3 in Week 13 to the Patriots?

Seriously, it can't get any worse than that.

You would have to think the game will be closer this time.

The Jets are a better team than to lose by such a wide margin, despite it being to the Patriots.

9. The Jets Just Beat Peyton Manning and the Colts

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during warm ups against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ph

After a dismal record against Peyton Manning, head coach Rex Ryan finally got his chance to give Manning a taste of his own medicine on Saturday.

The Jets gave up only 16 points to the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday in the Wild Card round, eating up the clock and grinding out a well-deserved victory.

The Colts were scoring 27.2 points per game going into the contest and had won four straight games.

They also were the home team.

The Jets showed they could not only beat a quality offense on Saturday, they showed they could beat a quality offense on the road.

8. The Jets Found Themselves vs. the Colts

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets scores 1-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter as quarterback Mark Sanchez celebrates in the background against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card play

Saturday's victory against the Colts was impressive.

Not only did the Jets hold Peyton Manning and Co. to 16 points, they also seemed to find their identity.

Although Mark Sanchez stepped up toward the end, it was Rex Ryan's game plan that made it happen.

Instead of throwing two times to every one run, Ryan switched the table, realizing that a grind-it-out style was the Jets identity after all.

The only way the Jets will beat the Patriots is if they play with this same identity.

Which brings me to my next point...

7. The Jets Found Their Game plan vs. the Colts

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets walsk towards the sideline with his head down against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Let's face it.

Allowing Mark Sanchez to throw the ball 33 times is not going to win a lot of games for the Jets.

Against the Patriots in Week 13, he completed just 17 passes in 33 attempts for 164 yards and three interceptions (no touchdowns).

After it became apparent Sanchez was not going to single-handedly lead the Jets to victory against the Colts, coach Rex Ryan went with a more run-heavy attack, which worked.

The Jets ran for 4.4 yards per carry during the regular season, good for eighth in the league.

Why they don't use this strength more often is beyond me.

Going with a run-heavy game plan and playing stellar defense is what this team needs to focus on.

6. Rex Ryan Is on a Mission

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets looks on during warm ups against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy

Anybody that saw Rex Ryan talking about wanting to beat Peyton Manning knows the guy is no longer fun and games anymore.

Known for his goofy personality, Ryan was anything but goofy when he said his meeting with Manning was personal.

I'm guessing the same applies to the New England Patriots, who have had his number maybe more than Manning.

After some tough goings late in the season (both on the field and off), to me Ryan seems like a different man.

A more determined one.

5. Return Game

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets fields a kickoff which he returns 47-yards in the final minute of the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadiu

Against the Patriots in Week 13, Jets' top return man Brad Smith returned seven kickoffs for 140 yards, a pedestrian 20 yards per return.

But the Jets have shown their not a 20-yards-per-return team.

Smith and the Jets averaged 25.2 yards per kickoff return in the regular season—good for third in the NFL.

After Smith left the game against the Colts with a quad injury, cornerback Antonio Cromartie filled in.

He did more than simply fill in.

He returned two kickoffs for 88 yards (47 and 41 yard returns).

Regardless of who returns for the Jets against the Patriots, I could see them breaking a couple big runs, certainly averaging more than 20 yards per return.

4. The Jets Have Taken Their Hard Knocks

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Rex Ryan, Head Coach of the New York Jets greets Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots after a Jets 28-14 win on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Pho

Stars of the HBO show, "Hard Knocks," the Jets have taken a few hard knocks themselves this season.

Ranging from the blowout in Foxborough to giving up 38 points to the Chicago Bears to foot fetish videos, the Jets have seen it all.

I believe the on-the-field and off-the-field issues have made them a mentally stronger team.

I think that was evident in their win in Indianapolis to the high-powered Colts.

"Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."

3. The Jets Probably Will Use Mark Sanchez Less

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets attempts to escape the pressure by Eric Foster #68 and Robert Mathis #98 of the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Januar

I can't be certain of this, as coaches can be weird creatures, but I'm pretty sure Rex Ryan has finally figured it out—don't let quarterback Mark Sanchez be the "X-factor."

As much as Ryan seems to trust Sanchez, the fact is Sanchez had 17 touchdowns to 13 interceptions in the regular season.

Despite coming alive a bit in the end of the game against the Colts, Sanchez still finished completing 18 of his 31 passes for only 189 yards. He also threw an interception.

Sanchez is talented enough to make some throws, but you can't rely on him, especially when you have one of the top rushing offenses in football.

Which bring me to my next point...

2. The Running Game

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets celebrates after he scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Ja

Most people have heard the expression, "Running away from your problems won't get you anywhere."

The Jets, however, should completely forget this sage advice.

Running away from their problem (the passing game) may actually reap some big benefits.

Although you have to pass to some extent in the NFL, there's no shame in making it a grind-it-out, time-of-possession game.

In fact, it behooves the Jets.

The Jets completed 54.9 percent of their passes in 2010. That's third-worst in the league.

That's a dramatic difference than the eighth-best rushing offense in the league.

The Jets need to stick to their run game. Not only will it help them score points, it will also help them in a critical area of the game against the Patriots...

1. Time of Possession

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on against the New York Jetsduring their game on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

I'm convinced the only way to stop the Patriots offense is to give them less opportunities to score.

When the Jets beat the Patriots in Week 2, holding them to just 14 points, they possessed the ball a full five minutes more.

They also ran the ball 28 times (not including Mark Sanchez's runs).

Coincidence? I think not.

The running game is not only the Jets strength, it's a great strength to have against the Patriots because they can limit Tom Brady's passing attempts and thus the points the Patriots put on the board.