Fierce Rivals New York Jets and New England Patriots collide in crunch game - NFL Preview
One of the biggest rivalries in the National Football League (NFL) is set to be re-ignited as the New England Patriots face their fierce division rivals New York Jets on Sunday.
In recent encounters between these two sides, the Patriots have had the upper hand outscoring their rivals 112-40.
However, that has not stopped New York Jets coach Rex Ryan from expressing confidence that his team will win in his unique boisterous manner.
He might have a point as this year both teams boast the same win-loss record at 3-3 and have struggled for wins.
One can argue that the Jets have performed better than the Patriots given the fact that their roster suffers from huge injury problems with Ryan also suggesting that backup quarterback Tim Tebow could step in at running back as the team has only one fit
player Shonn Greene in that position.
Speaking about the game Ryan said:
"I want them to know, and they know, that I think we're going to beat them. I don't buy into all that other stuff. Look, I recognize they're a great football team and (Bill) Belichick's a great coach. I've never once said he wasn't, OK, but we're not going
to back down or concede anything."
He also left no doubt in the minds of his players about the importance of this game.
"I've never stopped not thinking about them. That's the team you have to beat to win our division. You always think about them."
The Jets will have to deliver one heck of a performance if they are to beat the Patriots at their own home ground especially from quarterback Mark Sanchez who has struggled to deliver this year.
Sanchez has passed for 1,125 yards this year and eight touchdowns while also throwing six interceptions.
He delivered a big performance against the Indianapolis Colts in week six passing for two touchdowns in the 35-9 victory but will have to do even better if he hopes to outscore one of the best offensive teams in the league.
The New England Patriots boast one of the best offences in the game.
Buffalo Bills the first AFC East division rivals to face the New England Patriots this year were completely crushed by the Patriots and New York Jets should be wary of suffering the same fate.
The Jets though have a better defence than the Bills and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is not taking his Sunday opponents lightly.
Speaking to the media about the game he said:
"A division opponent is critical. We play a team that we know pretty well that always gives us challenges defensively. They're always a very good team.”
The Patriots will be favourites for the win given the Jets big problems with injuries but you never know what surprises are in store in a rivalry game.
Stakes for this game are higher than ever as the winner will steal the march in the race for the AFC East division title.
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