new england patriots

Last night I had to pop on the last Patriots – Jets game not to see what the Patriots did, but what the Jets tried to do. 

In the last twelve hours since we found out we’d be getting a third game for the AFC East rivals, we’ve already been hearing that the Jets were just getting a look at the new Patriots offense. That they’ll study that film and be more prepared.

Well they weren’t getting their first look at the New England defense. When looking back at the last time they met it was apparent that the Jets really tried to attack the Patriots through the air.

They put the game in Mark Sanchez’ hands early by going with a 3-WR set and LT2 in the backfield. Clearly the Jets wanted to attack the Patriots secondary, but Sanchez just wasn’t up to the task that day. His passes were off target, and those that were on target were dropped.

The Patriots defense meanwhile showed up to play. They had often been gashed by runs on their nickel defense, but this day they were fairly stout in that regard.

The Jets only real glimmers of success can from their power running game, but by the time New England had a lead it was too late to mount a comeback entirely built on moving the ball on the ground.

The Jets bread and butter was their power run game against the Colts. They were moving the ball there, and taking the pressure off Mark Sanchez, who had his usual “only good when there’s less than two minutes left in the game” passing performance.

So this time around? I’m already expecting the Jets to abandon the multiple receiver looks and try to ground and pound the Patriots. Really when you look at how the Browns beat the Patriots it was all set up by Peyton Hillis and a power running attack, which allowed them to protect Colt McCoy.

McCoy made the plays that he had to and the result was a blow out. Granted most of the Patriots team never got off the bus that day, but still, it is an effective way to win a football game if you can execute it.

What the Jets must’ve learned last time is that it’s better to do what you do well, instead of leaving your comfort zone to try and attack a perceived weakness. The game unraveled for them quickly last time, they’ll want to try to slow things down and write the same script they wrote against the Colts.

As for the other side of the ball I’m not so sure the Jets can necessarily look at the game film, see what the Pats did to them, and easily adjust to it. It’s not the scheme that made it so hard on the Jets last time, it was the match-ups.

The fact is that the Jets cannot make Antonio Cromartie a good match-up for the Patriots receivers. They cannot make Eric Smith into Jim Leonhard. And most of all they won’t shut down New England’s run game like they did the Colts.

This will be a rested Patriots team, that is more than familiar with everything the Jets do. And of course you’ll have any and all extra motivation after a week full of Jets trash talk, which of course has already begun.

New England’s 3-4 run stopping defense, and sub-package run defense better come to play. Expect the Jets to take the game out of Mark Sanchez’s hands, and put it into their offensive line and running backs. 

45-3.

That is the last time you will hear me mention that score or the game that took place on December 6th, 2010.

I know a lot of people think that the Patriots will simply steamroll the Jets yet again, but personally I think it would be wise to respect what the Jets did in knocking off Peyton Manning for us.

We all know the Pats near-cryptonite all year has been the pass. And when it comes down to it, Mark Sanchez is one of the worst quarterbacks still alive in the playoffs. So given facing him, or Peyton Manning in the AFC Championship, I’m picking Sanchismo every time.

So thank you to the Jets for knocking of Indy.

And a reminder to my Pat fan bretheren that the Jets are 3-1 on the road in the playoffs over the last two seasons. Despite the beatdown we administered to them last time this is a team that should be respected, no matter how hard it is to take the Jets seriously.

What it will come down to is whether or not Mark Sanchez can play the game of his life. He will have to play mistake free football moving the ball through the air, against a defense that preys on turnovers.

Unlike the Colts, the Patriots can move the ball through the air and on the ground. They know what the Jets do and how to beat it. It’s just a matter of executing it.

They can and will put up points.

The Jets will not go down without a fight. That fight might only last a quarter, but if they get a break or two early this will be a game.

Should be a fun week of build up I guess. At this point though, I’m just suffering from major Jets fatigue. What will Rexy say first?