NFL Week 2: New York Jets vs. New England Patriots

The AFC North hangs in the balance as two new quarterbacks vie for the key victory

Jets vs. Patriots Overview:

When the New York Jets and New England Patriots meet, it is usually a Hall of Fame quarterback vs. an unknown QB. No one could predict that in the second week of the NFL season that the New York Jets would have the legendary playcaller while the New England Patriots were fielding an unknown name. Brett Favre leading the New York Jets is a small headline compared to Matt Cassel leading the New England Patriots. With Tom Brady on IR, this once-thought blowout has turned into a possible game-of-the-week candidate and could be the changing of the guard in the AFC North.

New York Jets Offense:

Quarterback Brett Favre stepped into a great situation left to him by the departed Chad Pennington. Free agent guard Alan Faneca joins the left side of the New York Jets offensive line that features a pair of young studs in LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson and C Nick Mangold. The trio of O-line stars allows the New York Jets to pound the rock with RB Thomas Jones. Thanks to Thomas Jones and the play of the offensive line, Brett Favre and the New York Jets were able to earn a victory against the improved Miami Dolphins. WR Jerricho Cotchery took charge of the New York Jets receivers as deep-threat WR and main target Laveranues Coles was dinged with injuries.

New York Jets Defense:

The 3-4 defense of the New York Jets is modeled after the New England Patriots and finally has the personnel to match the schemes. OLB Calvin Pace has so far lived up to his big free agent contract and was a force against the Miami Dolphins. NT Kris Jenkins did a great job occupying blockers and opened up the Miami Dolphins RBs to monster hits from ILBs David Harris and Eric Barton. CB Darrell Revis is quickly developing into a great CB and was responsible for the game-winning interception against the Miami Dolphins. The New York Jets 3-4 is capable of bringing blitzers for every direction and always causes problems.

New England Patriots Offense:

The New England Patriots offense sans Tom Brady is a mystery. The reigning NFL MVP will spend the 2008-09 NFL season on IR and will be nothing more than a spectator. Successor Matt Cassel has done little more than hold a clipboard for a few seasons. Even without Tom Brady the New England Patriots are stacked with talent in the passing game thanks to WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Sammy Morris and Laurence Maroney are also on their way to becoming a great one-two punch in the backfield. Matt Cassel managed to have an impressive game against the Kansas City Chiefs and kept the New England Patriots regular-season winning streak intact.

New England Patriots Defense:

Using the same base 3-4 defense as the New York Jets, the New England Patriots like to bring a lot of linebackers from different locations with zone protection to back them up. ILB Jerod Mayo has youth and great speed on his side, but veteran LBs Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel were at the head of the New England Patriots wrecking machine against the Kansas City Chiefs. SS Rodney Harrison may not be speedy, but he is still a feared weapon in the New England Patriots secondary. CB Ellis Hobbes is also filling in well for the departed Asante Samuel. NT Vince Wilfork plays a thankless role in the trenches but is a monster in the run game.

New York Jets Keys to Victory:

If the Super Bowl taught the NFL anything it was that the New England Patriots were weak against the blitz. That was with Tom Brady at the helm so the problem should be an even bigger weakness with Matt Cassel behind center. The New York Jets will blitz early and often to take advantage of the inexperienced Matt Cassel. OLB Calvin Pace will look to be a big factor and the New York Jets hope first-round pick OLB Vernon Gholston will live up to his ability to rush the passer as well. NT Kris Jenkins must collapse the pocket and occupy blockers to stop the RB train of Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris.

Though Brett Favre gets the headlines, it will be up to Alan Faneca, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, and Nick Mangold to win the game for the New York Jets offense. The trio must handle NT Vince Wilfork and OLBs Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas to launch the running game and passing game respectively. If the New York Jets can wear down the front seven of the New England Patriots defense with the running game in the first half, then Brett Favre will be able to exploit the rebuilt secondary in the second half. Ellis Hobbs may be a great CB, but he has little help, and a brain like Brett Favre’s can pick apart the New England Patriots zone.

New England Patriots Keys to Victory:

Stopping the run will be the top priority for the New England Patriots defense. If Thomas Jones can be bottled up, then the New England Patriots can focus their attack on Brett Favre. The left side of the New York Jets offensive line may be stout, but the right side is suspect. LBs Mike Vrabel and Jerod Mayo should have a field day blitzing the right side of the line. Vince Wilfork must step up and clog the center of the line. Because their secondary is not nearly the level it was last season, the New England Patriots must protect it with constant QB pressure.

Though the New England Patriots have never had a commitment to the run, they may start with Matt Cassel as QB. A good dose of Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris will relieve the pass rush of the New York Jets and will allow the young Matt Cassel to see the field. With a great pocket around him and a fantastic offensive scheme to run, Matt Cassel should have no problem hitting WR Randy Moss all over the field. WR Wes Welker is the best slot receiver in football and is a great safety valve.

Patriots vs. Jets Outlook:

The New England Patriots were ready to be the toast of the AFC North Division once again, but the loss of Tom Brady changes all that. Matt Cassel is still a question mark, and the New England Patriots are playing with less weaponry in their secondary and receiving corps. The New York Jets have done the complete opposite and are armed with a great QB and have a giant injection of new talent.

The New York Jets have evened the odds and have all the tools to take down a Tom Brady-less New England Patriots. The additions of Kris Jenkins, Calvin Pace, and Vernon Gholston mean that the New York Jets have the ability to rush the passer like never before. The need for payback against the hated New England Patriots will also be a factor. Both teams are relatively even, but the New York Jets have the motivation and the leader under center to get the victory.