NFL Playoff Predictions: 10 Things To Watch For in Jets vs. Patriots

This week's NFL matchups are full of old rivalries, with teams facing each other for the third time this year in some cases. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens will meet up for the third time this season, and the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks will meet up for the second time, as will the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons.

The New England Patriots and New York Jets will meet up again as well, after splitting the first two games they played. What can be expected when these two face each other yet again, this time in a playoff game? Here are 10 things to watch for in this weekend's matchup.

Tom Brady's Numbers

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on in the first half against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Eric Mangini and Antonio Cromartie have now both gotten under Tom Brady's skin this past week. Needless to say, he'll turn that into production in the next game. He doesn't control playoff games by his own numbers usually; only a couple times has he passed 300 yards. Expect him to in this game though.

Hard Tackles By Antonio Cromartie

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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

Clearly, Antonio Cromartie has a strong opinion on Tom Brady and the Patriots. We'll see that in the game when Cromartie is nailing Patriots receivers. He'll be tough, but the Jets are going to make sure that the toughness doesn't extend into missing tackles while trying to make a play.

Coaching Mind Games

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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

You know that both head coaches are going to be trying to read the other one closely, figuring that both know each other very well. Both will try to plan ahead and confuse the other. Can Ryan outsmart Belichick, or will Belichick go to his old tricks?

Deion Branch

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Wide receiver Deion Branch #84 of the New England Patriots tries to hold onto the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Ph

Nothing more, nothing less. The Tom Brady-Deion Branch combination is an all-time great playoff one, despite the fact that Branch was completely ineffective when he played elsewhere. If the Patriots end up in a pinch, then Branch is going to be Tom Brady's go-to guy, and he could have a big game.

Both Running Back Duos

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 of the New England Patriots carries the ball as Tim Robbins #51 of the Miami Dolphins defends on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

I love seeing a team with multiple running backs that can make plays happen. While BenJarvus Green-Ellis gets far more carries than Danny Woodhead, both can make plays when called upon. LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene run the ball at a more even rate, and both have big game potential as well. How many of the four will rack up the yardage?

Jets Offensive Line

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: Damien Woody #67 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 Ima

Right offensive tackle Damien Woody will be missing the rest of the playoffs. He's one of the key pieces of the line, which is bad for the Jets. Will the line crumble without him, or can Nick Mangold and company hold things together? They need to come together if the Jets are to have a chance.

Brandon Tate and Brad Smith

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Brad Smith #16 of the New York Jets runs with 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. (Phot

Yes, the Patriots have a great offense and the Jets have a fairly good one as well, but hidden in the repertoire are two great kick returners. Brandon Tate and Brad Smith have both returned two kicks for touchdowns this season for the Pats and Jets, respectively. Needless to say, the Jets are hoping that Smith returns one to the house Sunday.

A Devin McCourty Interception

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots is congratulated by teammate Jerod Mayo #51 after McCourty intercepted a pass by the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/

Devin McCourty has been putting up Rookie of the Year-type numbers so far, including seven interceptions and two forced fumbles. Expect a pick from him at some point in the game; he'll be keeping a close eye on Mark Sanchez.

A Very Physical Matchup

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Earl Bennett #80 of the Chicago Bears is gang-tackled by Gary Guyton #59, Jerod Mayo #51, Patrick Chung #25 and Jarred Page #44 of the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots

There's no question that both teams want to badly beat the other, so they'll go in fighting. Expect defenders like Bart Scott and Jerod Mayo to make big-time tackles, and while there may not be many playmakers on the Jets D, they could certainly make a few in this game. They'll have to if they want to hang with the Patriots.

Will it be as physical as the Ravens vs. Steelers matchup? No, but they'll try and get close to that level.

A Surprisingly Close Game

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Danny Woodhead #39 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball against Bart Scott #57 and Jason Taylor #99 of the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Many are expecting a Patriots blowout, and I can't blame them, since they look like the best team in the NFL. Most had the Colts beating the Jets though, so this game could end up being a lot more competitive than people expect. Don't get me wrong, the Patriots will still win. It just won't be 45-3 again.