2011 NFL Divisional Round: Who the New England Patriots Must Shut Down vs. Jets

In many of the New England Patriots' most important playoff games, Bill Belichick has shown his ability to take an opponent's biggest threat out of the game. It will be no different against the New York Jets this weekend.

That philosophy helped his team win three Super Bowls in the previous decade, but Belichick could get the new decade started off on the right foot with a win over the New York Jets in the Divisional Round.

Here are some of the players that will be most key to shut down if the Patriots want to win the best two out of three between the bitter AFC East rivals.

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Honorable Mention: Santonio Holmes

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets celebrates late in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. TH

Holmes' talents have come in handy for the Jets toward the end of some key victories this season. His contributions are something of a wild card, because he doesn't need to have a big game for the Jets to win. He'll be satisfied simply making the contributions he needs to for his team to win down the stretch.

The Patriots let up a bunch of yards to him, on seven receptions for 72 yards. How much of that was by allowance against by mistake is uncertain.

What's certain, though, is that keeping him at bay can't hurt if the Patriots want to win on Sunday.

5. Brad Smith

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Brad Smith #16 of the New York Jets runs after fielding a kick against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

A dangerous return man and an explosive threat out of the Wildcat, Brad Smith has been a proverbial utility belt for the Jets. There are so many ways in which he can contribute that it may seem impossible to shut him down entirely.

That may be true.

Ultimately, though, shutting him down comes down to discipline. The defense has to respect his speed to prevent a home run but understand that when the ball's in his hands, the Jets put it there for a reason. Focusing in on him and wiping out his big play ability will be key for the Patriots defense and special teams.

We all know how much one play can swing the momentum of a game, and Brad Smith has that ability every time he touches the ball.

4. Mark Sanchez

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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)

In two career games at Gillette Stadium, both losses, Mark Sanchez has gone 25-of-54 for 300 yards, one touchdown, seven interceptions and two fumbles.

Needless to say, Belichick knows how to stop Sanchez, but doing so is two different things when the running game is working for the Jets and when it's not.

Ultimately, though, shutting down the Jets offense begins with shutting down the run, which leads me to my next slide...

3. LaDainian Tomlinson

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Tomlinson looked like a newborn man in the beginning of the regular season before his production tailed off pretty heavily (5.7 yards per carry through the first five games against 3.3 yards per carry in his last 11).

Albeit against a soft Colts run defense, he breathed new life into his 31-year-old legs once again, as he carried the ball 16 times for 82 yards and two touchdowns.

The Patriots may have a much better run defense than the Colts, but we all know that defending Tomlinson is much more complicated than simply shutting down the running lanes. He must also be accounted for as a receiver out of the backfield.

If the Patriots can appropriately defend LT by spying him on every down, shutting down the Jets offense will become a lot easier.

2. Darrelle Revis

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"Revis Island."

It's pretty clear that Revis is the Jets' best player on defense, regardless of whether or not he's actually the best player in football.

Fortunately for the Patriots, though, there's only one Darrelle Revis. The territory off Revis Island was open for hunting season in the previous contest, in which Tom Brady threw at nearly every other cornerback on the Jets' roster.

Revis will blanket one receiver for much of the game but can't cover New England's many other options at the same time. Whomever he is covering, look for Brady to look elsewhere.

1. Dustin Keller

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CINCINNATI - JANUARY 9: Tight end Dustin Keller #81 of the New York Jets celebrates a 45-yard touchdown with teammate Brad Smith #16 during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on January 9, 2010 in Cin

Dustin Keller has been a third-down conversion machine for the Jets. Likewise, it's been well-documented just how poorly the Patriots play on third downs.

Of course, the Patriots improved on third downs in their last five games (thanks yet again, Mike Dussault), the first of which came against the Jets. Keller recorded just three receptions for 27 yards in that game, and the Jets converted just three of their 12 third down attempts.

But if the Jets are going to win this game, it will come down to their ability to sustain drives, wear out the Patriots defense and most importantly keep Tom Brady off the field.

Shutting down the Jets on third down starts with eliminating Dustin Keller from the equation, possibly by covering him with Patrick Chung on third downs. Keller won't win a game on his own, but he can get the team out of a big jam if they need him to. He's done that more than once against the Patriots.