We have a very realistic shot of winning this one...

[Kontradiction]

I've been nervous all week before the last two games. Not saying I'm Nostradamus and I could see a loss coming before it happens. Just saying that I was nervous about how we looked against Dallas and how we would look against better defenses in Pittsburgh and the Gints. As it turns out, the offense has had it's up's and down's and has made it's share of uncharacteristic mistakes. This week again, we're going up against a good defense, but this time I'm not as nervous as I was against the Steelers and the Gints. A couple of reasons why...

1. The up and down defense fared very well against the Jets the last time around. We held them to 255 yards and limited them to only 26:00 in TOP. The defense in that game gave up a couple of scores, but the important thing is that they gave the offense the ball back enough times to put points on the board. They also got pressure on Sanchez all game.

2. While it sucks losing Brandon Spikes, as he immediately set a physical tone in the last game by annihilating Ballard, Devin McCourty's play has improved and he's gotten better, by my eye, in man coverage. He seems to be more physical and is all over the field, getting in on a lot of tackles. It's one of the main reasons Eli was having so much trouble in the first half this past Sunday. Couple even more improved play (which I expect from the reigning DROY) with Kyle Arrington's surprising play at RCB, the secondary should improve even more. Unfortunately, the safety play should be something we'll have to live with all year as fans. But improved play at the CB position should somewhat mask that.

3. After a two game losing streak, the Pats should be hungrier for a win than they have been in a very long time, especially dropping one at home for the first time since 2008 (2006 when Brady's under center). Couple that with the fact that they're playing the hated division rival Jets and should go into the game an underdog with all of the talk of how they've never won there since Ryan has been the coach, and the Pats should be pumped up and foaming at the mouth. I fully expect a pissed off, smashmouth attitude out of this team. Anything less than that would be disappointing. Speaking of smashmouth...

4. Even though they had a relatively good game against Buffalo this past week, the Jets' run defense is still an issue. It will most likely be an issue all year long just as our pass defense will most likely be an issue against better teams. The Pats showed last time that they can run the ball down this team's throat and B.O.B. should do so. Going to the air more often than they need to will just put the offense in position to stall. The Jets' secondary is too good to throw anymore than 60% of the game. Give them a good dose of Green-Ellis and Ridley then change it up with Woodhead. This will also set up the play action where we can catch the Jets when they're sitting in the zone, creating big play opportunities for Welker who will otherwise be getting shadowed/interfered with by Revis. 60/40 pass to run ratio is the way to go in this one.

Of course the Jets are going to make adjustments, but we will as well. We know them just as much, if not better, than they know us and have the personnel to match up with them if we play the right game. Ochocinco or Taylor Price breaking out this week would be absolutely huge for this team, but don't hold your breath. Otherwise, I like our chances in this one. There's no way Brady and the offense are going to make these types of mistakes three games in a row.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

until i see a sense of urgancy with the team , im not confident on that.. this would be huge if they went down to ny and won.. but the jets are a bad matchup, and i think this time sanchez , who sucks, will exploit the middle of the field with keller and will control the game... i think we can stop the run, but not counting much anymore with fat albert... the offense , well if brady starts to trust someone else beside's welker and gronk, and maybee we can try to run the ball , maybee use stephen ridley more than 3 plays, we can compete... but alot of ifs...

 

[Kontradiction]

until i see a sense of urgancy with the team , im not confident on that.. this would be huge if they went down to ny and won.. but the jets are a bad matchup, and i think this time sanchez , who sucks, will exploit the middle of the field with keller and will control the game... i think we can stop the run, but not counting much anymore with fat albert... the offense , well if brady starts to trust someone else beside's welker and gronk, and maybee we can try to run the ball , maybee use stephen ridley more than 3 plays, we can compete... but alot of ifs...

I don't doubt that this is going to be the adjustment that the Jets will make. They'll try to get Keller matched up against our OLB's and up the middle of the field against the safeties. Someone needs to take his head off right off the bat to send the message that it won't happen. If we don't hit him, and hit him hard enough for him to remember it early on in the game, he'll be the one abusing us all day. They should be able to contain Santonio again in this game. I don't think he'll be getting in the end zone again this time around, although I am nervous about Burress being matched up with Arrington.

But, believe me, we will run more this game than we did in the last two. Belichick and the coaching staff knows where the Jets weakness is and that's where they'll hit them.

 

[ATippett56]

Unless to the New England Patriots offense implements a 60-40 run-to-pass ratio against the New York Jets, the New England Patriots will have practically no chance of beating the New York Jets on the road. Scrap this pass happy turnover prone offense and utilize the depth at the running back position. It's time to man up, run the ball, and keep the New England Patriots defense off the field.

 

[ATippett56]

They'll try to get Keller matched up against our OLB's and up the middle of the field against the safeties. Someone needs to take his head off right off the bat to send the message that it won't happen.

Brandon Meriweather is no longer on the team.

 

[Kontradiction]

Brandon Meriweather is no longer on the team.

One of our LB's are capable and Chung laid out a pretty nice hit on Ballard last week, showing he's also capable. But I agree, Meriweather was the physical presence last season. He's sorely missed, at least by me.

 

[ATippett56]

He's sorely missed, at least by me.

Add James Sanders to the list as well. Patriots fans forget his key interception against Peyton Manning with the game on the line last year.

 

[ATippett56]

One of our LB's are capable and Chung laid out a pretty nice hit on Ballard last week, showing he's also capable.

Unfortunately, Chung did not do so against the New York Giants on the last offensive drive instead whiffed on the interception attempt.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I'm with you- I think this game could very well make or break the Pats' season, and they know it. The Jets also don't really have the personnel to exploit the Pats' lack of depth at CB, so provided that we can keep Keller from murdering us over the middle, I think this is one of the more favorable matchup the Pats' D will see.

Which means the offense might not even have to score 30 to win. I'd be lying if I said that I was especially confident about that game, because it's hard to have a ton of confidence in this team right now, but I'm by no means expecting a loss, either.

 

[patsfan-1982]

the pats know that this is a most win + its the jets they will play like its the SB and kick some green bean A@*

 

[slash83]

I know the pats have lost the last 2 games and aren't looking like their usual self, but whether it's the jets or any other team, I wouldn't want to be facing a Tom Brady led team coming off 2 straight losses and their backs to the wall, they will come out swinging.... I hope.

 

[DarrylS]

I think we have a realistic shot at winning every time we take the field.. this week is no exception.

There is a lot of motivation on all levels to make a statement on Sunday, whether they have the horses to pull it off is another question..

Find the love for Meriweather amusing, all last year there were negative comments about his play, in June he was convicted in this forum and was awaiting sentencing for murder, now in Chicago he watches from the bench.

Hindsight is 20-20....

 

[ATippett56]

Find the love for Meriweather amusing, all last year there were negative comments about his play, in June he was convicted in this forum and was awaiting sentencing for murder, now in Chicago he watches from the bench.

Hindsight is 20-20....

Two words: Sergio Brown

 

[DSting]

Going to the game, and I plan on seeing a win. I suffered through all the terrible teams and never stopped being a fan. A couple of losses won't change that.

Sometimes it's felt, in the last few years, like the team hadn't had to overcome any adversity during the regular season. Cruising into the post season didn't do them any favors. Did anybody else think we would have been better prepared for the SB if we hadn't gone undefeated? If we'd had our noses bloodied a few times during the season?

BB and co. are way too good not to get this figured out. He knows what he's doing. A couple of losses might be the best thing for this team once we get it turned around.

 

[LloydBraun]

I would like to see the team "release the hounds" and let the D-line get after it. I absolutely love what I saw from Deaderick vs the NYG and I expect more of the same from the others. The depth is there to rotate guys in and out of the game. This is especially important considering the injury issues at LB.

Wilfork, Haynesworth, Love, Warren can rotate on the inside. Carter, Anderson, Deaderick, Cunningham can rotate on the outside. We all know that Sanchez will crap his pants under pressure. Now, we must bring it and occasionally fake it and drop back for confusion.

This team has some serious talent and depth on the Dline. It is time to set it free.

 

[Kontradiction]

I think we have a realistic shot at winning every time we take the field.. this week is no exception.

There is a lot of motivation on all levels to make a statement on Sunday, whether they have the horses to pull it off is another question..

Find the love for Meriweather amusing, all last year there were negative comments about his play, in June he was convicted in this forum and was awaiting sentencing for murder, now in Chicago he watches from the bench.

Hindsight is 20-20....

For one, I could pull up posts for you where I vehemently defend Meriweather here. For another, whether he watches from the bench in Chicago or not, he was a great fit in this defensive system.

 

[RIpats88]

some positives towards this game I can say are:

1. our defense held up against the Giants for 3 1/2 quarters.....if the defense can start to put forth that same effort and the offense can get it together, we have a chance.

2. Tom brady was missing open receivers and making bad reads. thats not something you can expect from him on a weekly basis

3. our d-line got to the QB....it didnt show up in sacks, but it looked like we were regularly pushing the pocket and getting to Eli Manning...sanchez isnt as good as eli so one should expect that it will effect him more.

4. Ochocinco was open 5 times for brady to target him...nnone of those balls were exactly lasers. but at least hes finally getting open on a regular basis and you have to imagine that he/brady clicking are close

 

[Sicilian]

This really shouldn't even need to be said. In this year's AFC, there's no clear cut, head and shoulders above the rest team. We have enough talent to win any game.

It's simple. We WON'T beat everyone, but we CAN beat anyone.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

I believe that a Tom Brady led Pats team has a great chance to win. Despite his weak play of late, this game is no exception.

However, my biggest concern has to do with being at a serious disadvantage at the coaching level against Rex and company and this is what worries me most.

 

[TriplecHamp]

I'm with you- I think this game could very well make or break the Pats' season, and they know it. The Jets also don't really have the personnel to exploit the Pats' lack of depth at CB, so provided that we can keep Keller from murdering us over the middle, I think this is one of the more favorable matchup the Pats' D will see.

Which means the offense might not even have to score 30 to win. I'd be lying if I said that I was especially confident about that game, because it's hard to have a ton of confidence in this team right now, but I'm by no means expecting a loss, either.

The only thing that worries me is Arrington on Burress. I think the Jets are might come out taking shots downfield with Burress and it could cause some things to open up underneath. Their backers and corners have been playing well the last couple of games so we'll see how the offense adjusts. Should be a good game.