Key to the game? Keeping Fitzpatrick in the pocket.

[Off The Grid]

Jets fans always seem very confident. Of course, then the cold, harsh reality hits them square between the balls.

I hope you don't mind my editorializing a smidgeon.

 

[1960Pats]

He hasn't been dangerous passing on the run, but he escaped often and ran for positive yardage last time.

Big factor is, when he was kept in the pocket he was being deflected like we were paddles on a pinball machine. At least 2-3 plays should or could have been interceptions. Let our pass rush feast on him and have zero escapes for first downs and just let Chandler, Hicks and Branch swat balls all day.

This is a great week to let the defense win one and play conservative on offense, if that happens.

It seems like 3rd down is when he takes off running the most.

 

[goheels22002]

I do not know what to make of this game. The Jets look focused and disciplined to me from looking at some video. Decker, Marshall and the RBs (Powell and Ivory) make a multi-skilled receiving corps and Fitzpatrick takes care of the ball better than any time in his career. They have a top 10 defense in yards and points allowed, and are right there with the Patriots in positive takeaway ratio. The Jets do not kill themselves with stupid penalties. Todd Bowles ought to be a top-three coach-of-the-year selection.

Both teams need this game.

This may be the best measuring stick possible heading into the playoffs. The Patriots need to play mistake-free. Turnovers will probably decide this one. I agree withe OP that the Pats need to get off the field on 3rd down. They also need to stiffen in the red zone and hold the Jets to field goals. That will not be easy without the starting safeties.

I'm keyed up for this game unlike last week's mismatch.

 

[RayClay]

I know "extending the play" is the trendy item in the league now, with Brady adding it more and Rodgers and others intentionally throwing on the run but...

with a second tier quarterback scrambling for his life, I don't want them to escape with a first down. With most qbs under pressure, these throws have as much chance of being incomplete, or interceptions as they do of being positive plays.

 

[Jackson 2]

I hope you don't mind my editorializing a smidgeon.

My only quarrel with your editorialization is that I have yet to see any evidence which suggests there's a Jets fan alive who has one ball, let alone two.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I do not know what to make of this game. The Jets look focused and disciplined to me from looking at some video. Decker, Marshall and the RBs (Powell and Ivory) make a multi-skilled receiving corps and Fitzpatrick takes care of the ball better than any time in his career. They have a top 10 defense in yards and points allowed, and are right there with the Patriots in positive takeaway ratio. The Jets do not kill themselves with stupid penalties. Todd Bowles ought to be a top-three coach-of-the-year selection.

Both teams need this game.

This may be the best measuring stick possible heading into the playoffs. The Patriots need to play mistake-free. Turnovers will probably decide this one. I agree withe OP that the Pats need to get off the field on 3rd down. They also need to stiffen in the red zone and hold the Jets to field goals. That will not be easy without the starting safeties.

I'm keyed up for this game unlike last week's mismatch.

No Amendola, Edelman, McCourty, and Chung , most likely no Hightower, the Patriots have the bye locked up and the Jets are playing at home for their life and you think this is the best measuring stick?

Fair enough.

 

[goheels22002]

No Amendola, Edelman, McCourty, and Chung , most likely no Hightower, the Patriots have the bye locked up and the Jets are playing at home for their life and you think this is the best measuring stick?

Fair enough.

Realistically, the Titans didn't tell us much about where this team is, the Eagles games was a three-play anomaly ( blocked punt TD, punt return TD, Brady interception TD). The Dolphins game will be a formality for guys looking to get to the offseason, and hopefully a formality for the Pats.

Kline and Chandler are inactive, but the offensive line starters are intact.

This is a good test of whether the OL is sorting out its issues. We get a look at a 4-back running game with some quality there, if Stephen Jackson has some gas in the tank.

The starting defense is intact except for the safeties, and the backups are pretty good. We'll see the complete pass rush package, and how Butler and Ryan do against the best WR tandem in the league.

This one ought to be interesting.

 

[chasa]

key to the game is drafting two high round offensive tackles.