NY Jets Head Up North For Patriot Games

The last time the New York Jets faced off against the New England Patriots the result was very familiar to players and fans a like, a 19-10 loss at home. It marked the eighth straight win by the Pats at the Meadowlands as well as the beginning of the Matt Cassel era who had come in for Tom Brady after he suffered a season ending injury in week one.

Since then, both team have hit bumps along the road towards AFC East supremacy. Now they face off on Thursday night in Foxboro barring the same record (6-3) for a shot at first place. After upsetting the Buffalo Bills 26-17 in week nine and thrashing the St.Louis Rams 47-3 last week, the Jets soar into Thursday's game with plenty of confidence on where their ability can take them.

Coming with them is newly signed Ty Law who was a Patriot for nine years as well as a Jet in 2005. 2005 would be the year Law had a career-high 10 interceptions before following then coach Herm Edwards to Kansas City. The Jets stated that Law will be used as both a corner back and safety.

Law and the Jets face a Patriots team who been in the big games a lot more than their opposition. After coming off a 18-15 loss at the hands of Peyton Manning and the Colts, the Patriots returned to form with a 20-10 win over the Bills last week. Both teams look at this game as a must win since they will not meet again in the regular season.

Look for the Jets to continue their score early and often trend they have done throughout most of the season. The Patriots should be weary of a defense which has caused nightmares for opponents the past few weeks resulting in eight turnovers in two games.

They can utilize their running backs more than usual seeing how Cassel is not much of a threat in the air as his counterpart in Brett Favre. This week for the Jets the matter will be which Favre will they see? The vintage, big game veteran that has endless highlight reels? Or a more controlled, steady, less wild-card QB who relies on his team more than his arm?

No matter what happens, Thursday's match up can prove dividends in the way the AFC East is won and will give the loser little time to go back to the drawing board as the season begins to wind down.

My Prediction: I can't pick scores for the life of me, but I see Gang Green being victorious when all is said and done