Game Two--NY Jets---Hyped Up to Be a Bigger Game

This Patriot team is going from the frying pan into the fire as Coach Ryan is elevating this game into what might be an early Super Bowl. Rhodes has shot off his mouth saying that they want to embarrass the Pats and Rodney has even gotten into the word tussle. This season is quickly in the spotlight, which may not be a good thing as a more in the background start would help this team.
All the trash talking has really pushed the importance of this game up a few notches, which could come back to bite them. The pressure is clearly on the Jets and with a home crowd that easily could turn on them, they have to get started immediately.
The Jets did crush the Texans and showed that rookie Sanchez is ready for prime time and that the D is something to be feared. But whether that will translate a week later into pummeling the Patriots is a bit much. The Pats are at a tough point, with a short week, coming off a less than stellar performance and with Mayo out for awhile. It's a big division game, but if I were the Jets, I wouldn't wave that flag too high yet. The Patriots seem to love adversity and I think there will be some interesting maneuvers on the D that will surprise the rookie QB.

**Patriots**---There is no question that Brady will need to get that rust off and put together a full strong game. Moss and Welker are real keys to the offense. The D is young and really hurt by Mayo's absence. They will need a big effort to stop the long drives of the Jets. The special teams, which did a stellar job last week, will need to continue and add some big plays.

**Jets**---Rookie Mark Sanchez is leading the Jets offense, but a lot of the load will be carried by running backs Jones and Washington. Throw in the wildcat and their offense is multidimensional and hard to stop. The attacking D that Ryan employs was big in game one and will get better. Washington is a big time returner and if he breaks one, it will just add to the fire power of this team.

**Not Being There--Patriots**--Mayo is gone for awhile and with Guyton replacing him, that puts a lot of pressure on the D. Slater most likely will not play and the same for rookie Edelman. Neal's injury could force a change in the line and that would be huge.

**Not Being There--Jets**--LB Pace is out, suspended, but other than that, the Jets are healthy. Jenkins and Woody are questionable, but will play.

????--Patriots--Without Mayo, it's soph Guyton who will pick up the torch. The team could find itself in trouble very fast, if the shoes aren't filled quickly. They will morph into a 4-3, but will Guyton help get the defense together for this big game? That is the question.

????--Jets--Rookie Mark Sanchez had a big debut in Texas, but how will he fare at home in a hyped up game. If he can duplicate what he did, the NY media will throw a parade tomorrow as the second coming of Namath, but if he falls, it could be trouble in Gotham City.

History--The Patriots have won the last 8 straight in New York, but their last two games have been tough and emotional.

Rat fink Mangini is gone, but new coach Ryan has come in with much bluster and bravado, easily making himself into the New York villain. His style has let some mouths run afar on the team and whether they can back it all up is questionable. With a short week, injuries,and other factors, it could be the Pats are ripe for picking, but it also could be the Jets are blowing hot air and will embarrass themselves at home.
Both teams may try to do the same thing in keeping the ball on sustained drives and keeping the defense off the field. IN the case of the Pats, it might be more important.
The Jets will try and rattle Brady with their all out blitzes, but they risk getting burned big time with that. They will need to come up with a solution to offset Moss, Welker, Galloway and Watson and I'm not sure they have the defensive backfield for that.
On the other side of the ball, the Jets will throw screens galore and let Washington and Jones drive the ball on the ground. This Patriot D will need to stop drives cold and prevent Keller and Cotchery from making those big third down catches.
This will be a big test for this Patriot team and a barn burner in so many ways. I don't see it as a high scoring free for all, but more as an intense and down in the trenches slugfest.