New York Jets: 10 Reasons Why the Jets Will Jolt the Patriots
The New York Jets enter their clash with the New England Patriots on Sunday as nine-point underdogs to the AFC East champions, and with good reason. After all, the last time these two teams met, the Jets were run out of the stadium in a 45-3 loss to the Pats in a game that all but ended the Jets' division title hopes.
So this one's a foregone conclusion, right? Not so fast, my friend. Here are 10 reasons why the Jets could score the shocker against their hated rivals.
10. Week 2
1 of 10
Remember this one? Everyone seems to forget the Jets' 28-14 demolition of the Pats in Week Two. While New England is a much different team now than they were in Week Two, the results show what New York is capable of.
Yes, they gave up a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter, but they forced a pair of interceptions by Tom Brady, and racked up 336 yards against the Pats' defense.
In other words, if they could do it once, who's to say they can't do it again?
9. Dustin Keller
2 of 10
Keller is the big, talented tight end who has been an on-again, off-again favorite target of quarterback Mark Sanchez. Against the Patriots, Keller got the ball early and often in Week Two, and racked up 115 yards and a touchdown in the win.
In Week 12 though, the Jets stopped hitting Keller, and wound up getting embarassed. If the Jets feed Keller again, the Patriots don't have the kind of defender capable of keeping up with him.
In other words, expect Keller to be a big factor this week.
8. Antonio Cromartie
3 of 10
I'm not talking about Cro's skills as a cornerback; while he's talented, he's been guilty of plenty of big mistakes this season.
Instead, we're talking about him as a kick returner. When normal kick returner Brad Smith got hurt, Cromartie stepped up and took over return duties in the second half. He wound up delivering a key return that set up the Jets' game-winning drive.
With his skills running back kicks, Cromartie could wind up being the X-factor against the Pats.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
7. Mark Sanchez
4 of 10
Sanchez isn't a great quarterback yet, as his play this season has shown us. He's still firmly within the "Game Manager" realm, and has posted just one 300 yard performance.
But Sanchez can make plays, and with the receivers he's got at his disposal, he could very well prove the difference in this one.
He doesn't need a big game, but if he hits for 250 yards and a touchdown and can avoid making mistakes (not out of the realm of possibilites), the Jets will leave Foxboro with a win.
6. Rex Ryan
5 of 10
Ryan has proven to be one of the NFL's better coaches in his two years at the helm. While his offensive playcalling has been suspect at times, tactics are not Ryan's strongest suit.
Instead, Rex excels at getting his team amped up for games. One need look no further than all the talking Ryan and the Jets have done this week to see that he has his team more ready to go this week.
If things are what they seem, New York could pull the upset.
5. Santonio Holmes
6 of 10
Holmes is without a doubt the best receiver in New York. He's big, strong, and has fairly reliable hands, all qualities that have made him Mark Sanchez's favorite target.
Holmes had seven catches for 72 yards against the Pats' lilliputian secondary in Week 12; if the Jets hit him with as much or more frequency this week, they should find the kind of success they need to win.
4. Darrelle Revis
7 of 10
Revis Island may not have had the stat line he'd held in 2009, but that's mostly because teams have stopped throwing at him almost completely.
Revis is still fully capable of shutting down a player entirely (for proof, look no further than Reggie Wayne in the Wild Card round), and he gives the Jets someone capable of marking anyone the Pats throw his way.
If Revis can deliver another strong performance, he gives the Jets a puncher's chance.
3. Shonn Greene
8 of 10
For all intents and purposes Greene has been a bust in 2010-11, but he may be turning on at the right time.
The second year back out of Iowa has posted back-to-back 70+ yard performances in each of his last two outings, including last week's crucial 19-carry, 70-yard outing.
If Greene is clicking, that gives the Jets the kind of offensive depth they thought they'd have all season long. He also makes it much tougher for the Pats to stop the Jets' offense. If he's still running well, the Pats could be in trouble.
2. the New England Secondary
9 of 10
The Patriots' secondary has talent, to be sure, but they might be a bit... diminutive. They can pick off passes, but they've struggled all season long against big, tall, strong wideouts.
That happens to be something the Jets have coming out their ears. With Braylon Edwards, Brad Smith, Santonio Holmes, and tight end Dustin Keller, New York has exactly the kind of wide receiver corps the Patriots can't stop.
If Mark Sanchez can get them the ball, look for the Jets to exploit that weakness.
1. the Jets' Defense
10 of 10
The biggest reason the Jets can shock the Pats? Their defense is the great equalizer. If there's a unit in football that can contain the Patriots' potent offense (and all of it's weapons), it's the one in New York.
And the running game? Consider it squelched; the Jets have allowed the third fewest yards and just 11 rushing touchdowns this season.
If the Jets are going to beat the Patriots, it's not going to be because of their offense. It will be because Tom Brady and the New England offense can't move against the Jets' defense.
The Jets have the talent to lock them down, but can they get it done? That's the question that needs to be answered come Sunday.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")