Another chapter in the Jets vs. Patriots rivalry will be written tomorrow, as the Pats, who have won last 8 in the Meadowlands, come to take on the resurging Gang Green. This will be 98th regular season contest between these two original AFL teams. The Jets are ahead 49-47-1, but will go into this game as 3.5-point underdogs.
Patriots' QB Tom Brady has never lost to the Jets in Giants Stadium. He's also one win away from tying Jim McMahon's record for the longest streak of consecutive regular-season wins by a quarterback. Jets' CB Darrelle Revis will be facing a premier wide receiver for the second week in a row. This time it's Randy Moss who had 12 receptions for 141 yards in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.
Putting the pressure on Brady will probably be the key to winning this game. The Bills failed to do so in Week 1 and paid the price. S Kerry Rhodes promised to "hit Brady more than 6 times", which sparked a heated exchange of words on twitter between him and former Patriots' safety Rodney Harrison. DE Shaun Ellis will be back from one week suspension and should add strength to New York's pass rush that looked rather impressive against the Texans.
The Patriots' defense looks weaker than in the previous years. The departure of Richard Seymour and injury to LB Jerod Mayo have obviously took their toll. But don't count them out just yet, as Bill Belichick's ability to come up with new tricks every week should not be underestimated. The Bills averaged 4.7 yards per carry against this Patriots' unit and the Gang Green should at least do as well.
Fast facts:
Patriots: Club aims for 9th consecutive win at NYJ. Since ’07, QB Tom Brady has 18-0 record as starter and has completed 444 of 642 passes (69.2 pct.) for 5,260 yards with 52 TDs vs. 9 INTs & 115.0 passer rating. Brady (199) needs 1 TD pass to become 27th player to record 200 TD passes. Brady is 11-2 (.846) vs. NYJ with 15 TDs vs. 6 INTs and 91.2 passer rating. In 4 career games vs. NYJ, RB Fred Taylor averages 117.5 rush yards per game (470 total) and has 3 100-yard rushing games (142, 119, 111). Since ’07, WR Randy Moss leads NFL with 34 TD receptions. Moss ranks 2nd in NFL with 60 100-yard receiving games (Jerry Rice, 76). Moss and WR Wes Welker combined for 24 receptions last week. Since ’07, Welker leads NFL with 235 rec. Welker aims for 3rd consecutive game with 7 catches vs. NYJ. TE Benjamin Watson tied career-high with 2 TDs last week. LB Tully Banta-Cain posted 2 sacks vs. Buf.
Jets: Club aims to start season 2-0 for 1st time since ’04…Rookie QB Mark Sanchez (1st round, No. 5) completed 18 of 31 (58.1 pct.) passes for 272 yards with 1 TD vs. 1 INT and 84.3 passer rating in NFL debut. In past 2 vs. NE., RB Thomas Jones is averaging 87 rush yards per game and posted 104 rush yards in last mtg. For career, Jones averages 102.6 rush yards per game when he has 20+ att. Since ’08 Jones is tied for AFC-best with 15 rush TDs (Lendale White, 15). WR Jerricho Cotchery has 5 or more receptions in 5 of past 6 against NE. In last meeting vs. NE, TE Dustin Keller recorded career-high 8 receptions (87 yards). Keller led team with 94 receiving yards last week (4 receptions). Jets defense held Texans offense to 183 total yards. CB Lito Sheppard posted first INT of ’09 in Jets debut last week. DE Shaun Ellis has 10 career sacks against NE (most vs. any opponent). KR/RB Leon Washington registered 92-yard KR-TD in last meeting against Pats. Washington totaled 120 yards last week (60 rush, 24 receiving, 16 PR, 20 KR).
New York Jets Injury Report:
Questionable: DT Kris Jenkins (back), DT Sione Pouha (ankle), WR Wallace Wright (hamstring)
Probable: QB Kellen Clemens (right elbow), DE Mike Devito (hamstring), RB Shonn Greene (rib), LB Bryan Thomas (ankle), LB Jamaal Westerman (quadricep)
New England Patriots Injury Report:
Out: LB Jerod Mayo (knee)
Questionable: C Dan Connolly (back), WR Julian Edelman (ankle), G Steve Neal (back), LB Rob Ninkovich (calf), DT Myron Pryor (calf), WR Matt Slater (elbow), WR Wes Welker (knee), CB Terrence Wheatley (knee)
Probable: QB Tom Brady (right shoulder), LB Adalius Thomas (foot)
If you have a twitter account, don't forget to do the J-E-T-S chant before the game.
The game will be broadcast by CBS (see if you can catch it on your local station). The kickoff is at 1PM EST.