New York Jets VS New England Patriots
Could you think of a better game for Monday night football than the New England Patriots VS the New York Jets? This is Super Bowl stuff right here in the regular season. Don’t we all wish the two were in different conferences and faced each other in the
Super Bowl. What a game that would be.
Unfortunately we would have to settle for Monday Night Football for now. If the regular season so far has shown anything it’s that the Jets and the Patriots are the best teams in the league this year and definitely the two best sides in the AFC. This Sunday
the Jets are going to New England. This is the second time the two teams are facing off and the game is going to be the highlight of the regular season.
Both teams are tied for a league best record of 9-2. The Jets won the first game between the two sides earlier this season. There is a rivalry between the two sides and the line between competition and hatred gets blurry sometimes. “It has been a fun rivalry,
they're a great team and have been playing great football this season. Do I still hate them? Well, I promised coach (Bill) Belichick that I wouldn't say anything derogatory so I have no comment,” New England quarterback Tom Brady said.
The Jets have a strong defence but the Patriots have been the number one scoring side in the league this season. New England defence isn’t spectacular but neither is the Jets’ offensive. The two sides couldn’t be more evenly matched. Both teams are going
to the playoffs but the winner of Monday’s game would be on its way to become the number 1 seed in the AFC and have the home field advantage in the playoffs.
The Patriots have been undefeated at home this season and they would have the home field advantage again when they face the Jets. The Jets have a 5-0 record on the road. The Jets are the only undefeated team on the road at this point in the season while
the Patriots share undefeated home status with three teams. You’d think that a 5-0 record on the road is more impressive but New York’s schedule shed some light on the matter.
The 5-0 record came off victories against teams like the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns and the Miami Dolphins. None of those teams can be a considered a challenge for the New York Jets. The combined win percentage of New
York’s opponents for the season so far is .309. The real challenge for New York’s road campaign starts with the New England Patriots, then the Pittsburgh Steelers and lastly the Chicago Bears. It’s unlikely the Jets could stay undefeated on the road by the
end of the season.
Tom Brady has been simply unbelievably good at home. That does not mean that he has been anything less than brilliant on the road. Brady has passer rating of 105.8 and has thrown 23 touchdown passes for the highest scoring team in the league. The Patriots
have won 25 straight regular season games at home and Brady has been an integral part of that success. His record at the Gillette Stadium is a whooping 17-1, winning 14 straight games. Brady has thrown just 4 interceptions in the season.
Mark Sanchez’s 16 touchdown passes for twice as many interceptions are dwarfed by Brady’s excellence. However it would be a mistake to underestimate New York’s offense. Sanchez might not have as good a record as Brady but the Jets don’t need Sanchez like
the Patriots need Brady. New York’s outstanding rush provides a safety net for Sanchez to fall into. With an average of 148.1 rushing yards in every game, the Jets offense is effective without depending entirely on the pass. New York’s running back LaDainian
Tomlinson has rushed 741 yards this season and has 5 touchdowns to his credit. Supporting him on the Rush is Shonn Greene with 575 yards of his own.
Neither running back has scored a touchdown in the last five games but they have the capability of pulling Sanchez out of a tough spot.
Fact of the matter is that the Jets haven’t faced a demanding schedule. Their win over New England in week two is the only one that counts for anything. Regardless they are in the running for the NFC title and Monday Night is going to be the definitive game
for them. It is an opportunity for the Jets to prove that they are Franchise elites and can stand up to any team they face. The question remains if they would cease the opportunity. The Patriots at this point are the favourites to win the game.
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