2011 NFL Playoff Picks: Top 5 Reasons Why The Patriots Beat The Jets

The New England Patriots are back and are as good as they've been this decade. After winning three Super Bowls, the Patriots went through a two-year lull in 2008 and 2009 as they infused their aging team with young talent and cut ties with veterans whose careers had run it course (Bruschi, McGinest, Harrison) and players who didn't full buy into the Bill Belichick's "team first" philosophy (Randy Moss). 

There were scandals and departures from the staff but through it all the organization persevered and is now back atop the AFC East. This weekend's match up against the New York Jets has provided the media and fans with an entire season's worth of trash talk. 

They split their regular season matchups with each team winning at home but the Jets' Week 13 loss in Foxboro still stands out in the mind of fans given the 42-point shellacking they received. I'd look for New England to pick up right where they left off. 

No. 5: Antonio Cromartie

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets looks on against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Jets have been controversial all season. It started with the HBO Hard Knock series and lasted the entire season. There was the Ines Sainz controversy, their one year love affair with Brett Favre that just wouldn't go away, Rex Ryan v. Tony Dungy in this year's version of Holier Than Thou, and the now infamous revelation that Rex Ryan may have a bit of a foot fetish.

In keeping with tradition, Antonio Cromartie upped the smack talk ante by directing a volley of insults at likely league MVP, Tom Brady this week. He called Brady a "b*tch" and expressed his displeasure for Brady's tendency to celebrate touchdowns while pointing at opponents sidelines - something he remembers from his days in San Diego. Shocking, coming from a guy who didn't even remember all of his own children in a segment of the HBO series. 

Cromartie was victimized by Brady and the Patriots last time they played and while he's a great talent he's shown a tendency to struggle in zone coverage where his greatest strengths (size and strength) can be a disadvantage. The Patriots' corp of quick and diminutive receivers have managed to shrug his coverage in the past and I expect them to do so again this weekend. 

No. 4: The Patriots Running Backs

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: BenJarvus Green-Elllis #42 of the New England Patriots celebrates his touchdown with teammates Sammy Morris #34 and Danny Woodhead #39 in the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium in the second half on Septe

Stop me if you've heard this before. The Patriots feature a backfield that's almost identical to the ones they had during their earlier championship run. A thumper, a slasher, and a first down maker.

Sammy Morris gets you the tough yards, BenJarvus Green-Ellis has gotten better throughout the season with every start, and former Jet Danny Woodhead is a smaller, faster, Kevin Faulk and the football equivalent of a gnat. You know he's there but you can't stop him and by the time you do he's got a first down. Fred Taylor provides the team with veteran stability.

Together, the group combined for 92 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns during their Week 13 match up. Woodhead is also an asset in the passing game with 4 catches for 104 yards the last time these two met. 

No. 3: The Patriots Tight Ends

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates his touchdown with Alge Crumpler #82 for a 7-3 lead over the San Diego Chargers during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on October 24, 2010 in San Diego, California.

The New England offense has always prominently featured its tight ends and this year has been no different. Gronkowski, Hernandez, and Crumpler have scored a combined 18 touchdowns as a unit with Gronkowski leading the way with 10.

Look for New England to explore the Jets weakness in the middle of the field and dwindling talent in the defensive backfield. 

No. 2: Tom Brady

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown by teammate BenJarvis Green-Ellis in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa

I'm going to infuriate Colts fans but for my money, Tom Brady is the best quarterback in the NFL. Yes, he's got a masterful coach but he also understands his opponents and plays within the confines of his offensive playbook. The golden boy has a QB rating of 111 and has not thrown an interception since Week 6 of the regular season. That's a mind-boggling 335 consecutive passes without an interception.

I expect him to pick up right where he left off at the end of the regular season and given the added incentive to make Antonio Cromartie look like a fool. My guess it that he'll go something like 6 for 6 to start out the game all on Cromartie's side of the field. 

No. 1: Bill Belichick

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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

The Hoodie is easily the greatest NFL coach of this generation and has once again proven it with the rebuilding job in New England. No coach in the league has a better grasp on the kind of talent and attributes he wants in his players/team and sets about finding them. 

His team-first philosophy and dry wit defy convention in today's NFL but so is his team's ability to make halftime adjustments and fight for a common goal. Belichick's teams never seem to get lost in the moment and always seem to thrive on the big stage. Expect that trend to continue this weekend.