NFL Predictions - New York Jets vs. New
England Patriots
by Gregory
Cox
Director of NFL
Analysis
11/13/08
NY Jets (6-3) @ New
England (6-3): Some football fans
prefer the
college game because of intense rivalries. In today’s NFL filled with
high
priced players, inflated egos, monstrous television contracts and
outright greed
I would cite Jets-Patriots as the best example as a true rivalry. These
teams
are at odds and it is bitter. New
York went out and signed Ty Law just to play in
this
game. He won titles with the Patriots and had been with the Jets in
2005 before
spending the past two seasons in Kansas City. Let’s be honest. At 34
years old and coming in
cold he’s not exactly going to lock down Randy Moss. However, I love
the
signing. They want him on their side for this battle. It’s very similar
to
Yankees/Red Sox with players switching teams.
Another
great element is Favre being thrust into the spotlight with Brady on
the
sidelines as the marquee quarterback against a team many have forgotten
he beat
for his only Super Bowl ring to date. In a way this is him coming full
circle.
He needed to beat them for a championship in order to validate his
status as an
elite quarterback and MVP. Now he needs to beat them again or some will
question his decision to return to the NFL. This game is crucial
because not
only did he lose the first meeting at home, if he loses this one the
division
title and possibly wild card will become more difficult to grasp down
the line.
Expect a
much better football game this time. In New
England’s
19-10 win both quarterbacks were making just their second start for
each team.
Cassel was making his second start period. Back then the Patriots
actually had
a healthy stable of running backs too. Jordan, Maroney, Faulk and
Morris all
carried the football at least 3 times. Even with those guys they
averaged 3.2
yards per carry. Ironically they have done just fine with unheralded
rookie
Benjarvus Green-Ellis. Last week he had 105 yards rushing and midway
through
the season is 64 yards away from being their leading rusher overall.
Leave it
to the Patriots to find a guy who was 37th in the nation
rushing
with a pedestrian (for college) 4.9 yard average to be productive in
their
system. Can he do it against a solid front seven? No analysis is really
needed.
This is going to be a back and forth struggle for field position all
game. It
comes down to will. Favre will try to win it. Cassel will try not to
lose it.
The Pats will use confusion on defense. The Jets will use skill and
athletic
youth. All I can say is I learned my lesson going against this team at
home in
primetime when they blew away Denver: New
England 19, NY Jets 13
