You Won't Like Bill When He's Angry

The Jets handled the Patriots in week 2.

Jets (4-5) @ Patriots (6-3)
Sunday4:15 - CBS
Favorite: Patriots 10 1/2
Over/Under: 45

Despite the brutal loss last week to our rivals, the Colts, the leadership on this team is what is going to get us through the lowest part of our season thus far. The word this week is Tom Brady and veteran Junior Seau have been instrumental in helping Coach Belichick in getting his players in the proper mindset. Leadership like this reminds the team what the final goal is and the season marches on despite the heartbreaking loss last week.

One of the reasons Belichick IS regarded as one of the best at his craft is because he learns from his team's mistakes. Against the Jets in week 2 it was clear that both the team and Tom Brady (23/47 216 yards 0 TD's, 1 INT) had not yet found a rhythm. Flash forward 8 games and Brady is now in mid-season form (unfortunately for the Jets).

The reasons the Patriots lost to the Jets in week 2 are clear:

• The offense was 0/3 in the redzone with 3 FG's.


• Team committed 11 penalties for 89 yards.


• Tom Brady was hurried 15 times as well as knocked down 5 times.


• Wes Welker was hurt which led to a 33% third down efficiency.


• Randy Moss was taken out of the game by Jets CB Darrelle Revis (4 rec, 24 yds).
  


• The Patriots put up 9 points.
  

As we said in our recap of the week 2 loss to the Jets, "championships aren't won or lost in September. Belichick will find ways to build upon this pathetic performance and the team will be stronger for it."

That being said lets check the keys to the game:

1. Win the line of scrimmage. Perhaps one of the single biggest losses to any team this year was the loss of Pro-Bowl NT Kris Jenkins for the Jets. The big man was the anchor of the defense and is absolutely irreplaceable. If the Pats can establish some kind of running game it should open up the throwing lanes all day for Brady. Mark Sanchez has begun to realize just how difficult it is to win in the NFL. Sanchez's play has been inconsistent of late at best, so their best chance of winning this game is by running the ball effectively. Coach Belichick is sure to focus on stopping their #1 ranked running game and making the rookie quarterback beat them.

2. Efficiency in the redzone. In the Patriots 3 losses this season they are a total of 5/11 in the redzone. The ability to convert opportunities inside the 20 yard line for a touchdown is a must for championship caliber teams. Touchdowns, not FG's win football games and Belichick knows this. Offensively, the Jets have had some trouble scoring touchdowns lately themselves, and the Patriots D must take advantage of any opportunities they have to limit the Jets' offense.

3. Find the open guy. Jets shutdown corner Darrelle Revis blanketed Moss in week 2 much of the time with double coverage and safety help. Moss was clearly frustrated, and Revis has gone on to shut down the better WRs in the NFL since then. Perhaps things will be different this time around with Welker back in the lineup, but as always, Brady needs to hit the open man.

4. Put last week behind them. Last week's game will be remembered for a lot of reasons. Much has been said and done since Sunday night and the only way to be successful in this league is by having a short memory. Belichick is as good as anyone as moving forward with the next opponent and this transition should be no problem for he and his team.

Unfortunately for the Jets this is not the week they want to play the Patriots. Hot of a tough loss to a rival Colts team, coupled with the surprising loss to the Jets in week 2 and it sounds like we have a recipe for a potential blowout.

Patriots' Thursday Injury Report:

Did Not Participate
LB Tully Banta-Cain (groin)
DE Jarvis Green (knee)
G Stephen Neal (head)
LB Rob Ninkovich (knee)
RB Fred Taylor (ankle)

Limited Participation
WR Sam Aiken (hip)
LB Eric Alexander (groin)
TE Chris Baker (shoulder)
NT Ron Brace (ankle)
WR Julian Edelman (forearm)
C Dan Koppen (knee)
T Matt Might (knee)
RB Sammy Morris (knee)
DE Ty Warren (ankle)

Full Participation
QB Tom Brady (right shoulder)
CB Shawn Springs (knee)
TE Benjamin Watson (back)

UPDATE: Green and Banta-Cain practiced today. Good news on that front.

Jets' Thursday Injury Report:

Did Not Participate
LB Vernon Gholston (hamstring)
S Jim Leonhard (thumb)

Limited Participation
DE Shaun Ellis (knee)
WR Brad Smith (quadricep)

Full Participation
LB Bryan Thomas (toe)