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This is a must win game because it's a divisional game for the Pats. The Jets have always been tough and I expect the same today.
Things to look for:
1) Who starts at CB opposite McCourty? Dennard showed some good skills but still got beat. He's a rookie, so getting beat is to be expected. Arrington, Dowling, and Moore have also seen time there.
2) Is this the game Vereen finally steps up? With Bolden out, the Pats need Vereen to step up and help with the running game, though Woodhead and Ridley could handle it, an injury to either forces a lot of pressure onto Vereen
3) The Pats will be without Tracy White again this week. This guy is the best special teamer we have not named Slater. Tarpinian was promoted to help out there and to possibly act as a coverage LB.
4) Hopefully Hightower returns. His absence has been felt on defense. His not being there has forced the Pats to use Ninkovich at SLB and Cunningham at DE. That combination didn't allow the Pats to get extra pressure on Wilson last week. And it clearly hurt the Pats in passing situations.
5) The coaches not making hairbrained moves, particularly with under 2 minutes left in the half or in the game. Letting 25 seconds come off the clock last week prior to the half before calling the Time out sure hurt the Pats.
I hope that the Pats come out with the "gas pedal" floored and let the offense RUN wild over the Jets. The Jets have one of the worst run defenses in the league even when Pouha is healthy and he's not. Use the run to set up the Play-action and tear them apart.
Things to look for:
1) Who starts at CB opposite McCourty? Dennard showed some good skills but still got beat. He's a rookie, so getting beat is to be expected. Arrington, Dowling, and Moore have also seen time there.
2) Is this the game Vereen finally steps up? With Bolden out, the Pats need Vereen to step up and help with the running game, though Woodhead and Ridley could handle it, an injury to either forces a lot of pressure onto Vereen
3) The Pats will be without Tracy White again this week. This guy is the best special teamer we have not named Slater. Tarpinian was promoted to help out there and to possibly act as a coverage LB.
4) Hopefully Hightower returns. His absence has been felt on defense. His not being there has forced the Pats to use Ninkovich at SLB and Cunningham at DE. That combination didn't allow the Pats to get extra pressure on Wilson last week. And it clearly hurt the Pats in passing situations.
5) The coaches not making hairbrained moves, particularly with under 2 minutes left in the half or in the game. Letting 25 seconds come off the clock last week prior to the half before calling the Time out sure hurt the Pats.
I hope that the Pats come out with the "gas pedal" floored and let the offense RUN wild over the Jets. The Jets have one of the worst run defenses in the league even when Pouha is healthy and he's not. Use the run to set up the Play-action and tear them apart.