Jets Vs. Patriots Preview 12/06/10

It would be hard to make an argument that tonight's game is not the most important and marquee match-up of the season.  The winner of this game will have the best record in the AFC (clearly the superior conference) and according to ESPN, an 80% chance of winning the AFC Eastern Division.  Also, as a Patriots fan, this game has extra importance to me because the only two teams I see as a threat to potentially take the #1 seed, the Ravens or Steelers, and New England holds the tiebreaker over both of those teams.  The game has the set-up to go down to the wire, but could just as easily turn into a blowout quickly (hopefully in the Pats favor).

Jets Strengths:
Team Defense (The defense is one of the best in the NFL)
Running Game (LT has slowed down lately, but Shonn Green appears to be turning into the dominant back we saw last January)
Underdog Factor/Inferiority Complex (The Jets and Rex Ryan love to play the role of the underdog and the 'second fiddle' of the division; Ryan also addresses to the media the importance of this game and no doubt his players hear a lot of it)

Patriots Strengths:
Depth on Offense (Revis might take away Deion Branch, but this offense has so many weapons and players that can exploit any hole in the defense)
Ball-Hawking Secondary (This defense will give up points and yards, but they rely on picks and turnovers to give Brady the ball back; if Sanchez is able to avoid turning the ball over, this game won't even be close)
Coaching (Ryan is a great coach, but he is going up against one of the best coaches in the history of professional sports)

In other words, I have no idea who will win this game, but I'll take New England based on Brady's experience and the energy the crowd will provide a game of this magnitude.  Hopefully, the Pats will pull out a win tonight and have the numbers to prove that they are the best team in the NFL.  New England has beaten Pittsburgh, Baltimore, San Diego, and Indianapolis (meaning they will have beaten most likely every other division winner in their conference).  The Jets, on the other hand, seem to make a ritual out of winning at appx. 3:15 every Sunday afternoon.  While as far as the Jets are concerned, a win is a win, the Patriots have looked a lot better doing it, and I feel they will do the same tonight.

Go Pats!!!!!!