NFL Playoff Predictions: Tom Brady, Rex Ryan & 10 Thoughts on Jets vs. Patriots

New York Jets vs. New England Patriots round three is set to kick off this Sunday evening, and you can bet your clam chowder that the Northeast is riled up about it.

Tom Brady's hair and Rex Ryan's mouth are just a few of the things that have been on our mind this week as we anticipate what is to hopefully be a great postseason meeting between these two hated division rivals.

The Jets put a frown on Brady and company's face in Week 2 with a 14-point win, but the Pats extinguished the Jets' hot streak with a humiliating beatdown on Monday night in Week 13.

This time they meet for all the marbles. The Divisional Playoffs are here. Are you ready?

Tom Brady vs. Mark Sanchez

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets runs on the field 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 Jonathan Daniel

Give Mark Sanchez some credit. He got it done when he had to last weekend against the Colts. But to say that he is the same class of quarterback as Brady would be ridiculous.

That's not to bash Sanchez. He is young, learning and even winning. He has the potential to be an elite quarterback—just not right now.

Brady has been there, done that, oftentimes to the chagrin of the rest of the AFC, or even the NFL for that matter.

However, I can't help but remember the Week 2 matchup, when Sanchez legitimately outplayed Tom Brady and the Pats. New England is a much different team now and has only lost one game since, but history can repeat itself.

Rex Ryan

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

"Sexy Rexy" has opened his mouth more to talk than to chew for the first time in a while. The Jets' head coach has been at the Patriots' throats all season long, it seems.

Whether he's calling out Tom Brady's wife during a press conference or calling out Bill Belichick during another press conference, the one thing we know for sure is that it usually takes place during a press conference, and it's always about the Pats.

Prepare yourselves for Ryan vs. Belichick V (that means five, and the series is 2-2 at the moment).

Danny Woodhead

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Danny Woodhead #39 of the New England Patriots runs against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. New England won 34-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Yup, that short white dude that plays for the Patriots is the same short white dude that was trying out for the Jets on HBO's Hard Knocks this summer.

Danny Woodhead, the 5'8" crazy agile speedster from Nebraska, has fit in nicely with New England's offense.

Woodhead has six touchdowns for the Pats this season and played well (104 receiving yards) in their 45-3 stomping of the New York Jets at Foxboro.

Something tells me this matchup is bittersweet for Rex Ryan's coaching staff. Ah, maybe just bitter.

Gillette Stadium

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: A fan of the New England Patriots holds up a sign that reads 'Go Pats!' prior to the start of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Gett

The Patriots will have plenty of support for Sunday's game. There will be shirtless, overweight painted men, guys with muskets dressed like pirates and the occasional hot girl with a sign and a Santa hat.

Regardless, New England is 8-0 at Gillette Stadium in 2010, including a win over New York. The Pats haven't stumbled in Foxboro since that epic playoff loss to Baltimore in last year's AFC Wild Card Round.

This year, though, the AFC champ must go through New England—meaning a Pats home loss or a Pats Super Bowl appearance.

Could you imagine how long Brady's hair will be by February?

Tom's Targets

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Wes Welker #83 celebrate with teammate Deion Branch #84, both of the New England Patriots, after Branch caught a touchdown pass in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro,

Not only is Tom Brady a really great quarterback, he is also a great spokesperson. But above all, he has even better options at receiver and tight end.

Brady's arsenal mimics that of what the U.S. brought to Europe during World War II (seriously, it's that good).

Names like Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Brandon Tate, Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski, Danny Woodhead and Julian Edelman stick out. It's this core of players that makes a five-yard check-down pass a 76-yard touchdown throw for Tom Brady.

Jets' Ground Attack

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16. (P

LT (LaDainian Tomlinson) and his black visor will head back to New England, the site of San Diego's AFC Championship Game loss in 2007 (LT had to sit out because of a knee injury), in hopes of moving on to the next round.

What's their best hope, you ask? Simple. They must establish their running game early and often while forcing their will on New England's vulnerable defensive line.

The duo of LT and Shonn Greene has worked wonders for the Jets in 2010, and they always say that defense and a running game will take you deep into the postseason.

The Patented Braylon Edwards "Push-Off"

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets makes an 18-yard reception in the final minute of the fourth quarter against Jacob Lacey #27 of the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadi

It was the offensive pass interference that never was: Braylon Edwards' push-off late in the fourth quarter that set up a Nick Folk game-winning field goal as time expired.

We've all seen it before. If this play happens in the second quarter, it's likely offensive pass interference on Edwards. Driving the defender back with your quickness is one thing, but giving him a shove to open yourself up is a penalty. Period.

That's certainly not to say the Jets shouldn't be moving on. Just pointing out their good fortune and why they should be considered lucky to be moving on.

Edwards is too talented a wideout to be involved in questionable plays like this one. (Yes, I understand he's a gamer and the competitive edge thing. I'm more concerned about the officials not making the call. Do your, thing Braylon.)

Maybe Devin McCourty's seven interceptions will have something to say about this.

Belichick's Silent Treatment

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on in a match against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. New England won 34-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Get

With all the chatter coming from Rex Ryan, one starts to wonder when Bill Belichick might slip up. Though the Pats' head man is not much for extended conversation, at least if it's not about football, he is human.

If the Jets were to win on Sunday, I would bet Belichick's blood would begin to boil a little. Everyone remembers the infamous handshake that never was between Belichick and Eric Mangini a few years ago.

This one might be the punch to the face that was.

New York Defense

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Brodney Pool #22 and Marquice Cole #34 (L) of the New York Jets react after a defensive play aganst the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis

Something has been on the minds of every Jets defender this week: 45-3. Yup, the six-touchdown beatdown the Pats gave New York's defense was the worst all season and in quite some time.

Everywhere you look on defense, you find talented playmakers for the Jets. Names like Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Calvin Pace and Bart Scott stand out.

It's obvious that the Jets will not win unless they can at least slow New England's offense. Thus Sunday's matchup will call heavily on the New York defense, a defense ranked sixth against the pass and third against the run.

I bet it's not ranked sixth against Tom Brady's pass.

The Streak

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Jerod Mayo #51 of the New England Patriots congratulates Vince Wilfork #75 in the second half against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Patriots' current eight-game winning streak stands out as another story line, or perhaps just another random thought of mine regarding Sunday's showdown.

Nevertheless, it matters. New England hasn't lost since a 20-point loss to Cleveland way back on November 7. For some reason it seems like it was before that, or maybe that's just the record-breaking 518 points the Pats have scored this season clogging my memory.

Anyway, can New England really win eight straight to finish the season, and then three straight playoff games, running its streak to 11 straight heading into 2011 as the defending champions?

That question will be partly answered Sunday, but there's one thing I can tell you now for certain: Tom Brady's hair will be glorious.

Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.