If the Jets beat the Patriots... (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

It's no secret that Belichick can't stand Mangini. Word is that Mangini was recruiting a few New England players to come play for him in N.Y. when the team was on the plane coming home from the playoff loss in Denver.

Would Belichick possibly eschew a post-game handshake if the Jets win?

Will he kick things in the locker room and act like someone just shot his dog?

I'll be rooting for the J-E-T-S just imagining the possibilities!

 

[Bri]

I'd bet the teacher schools the student this time around.

 

[Raider Nation]

I'd bet the teacher schools the student this time around.

Unfortunately, that's highly likely.

 

[BGP]

Yah I'm seeing the Jets getting picked as the cinderella team here. I don't see it. I think the Patriots will crush the Jets.

 

[brednbuddah]

I'd bet the teacher schools the student this time around.

believe it or not , I felt better against the Colts then when I found out the Jets have to go BACK into NE to beat the Pats AGAIN to move forward in the playoffs, hopefully the Man-Genie has some magic left...points for Magini winning coach of the year:10-6 record in the AFC! Beat NE in NE!The youngest coach in the NFL (35 yrs) in the toughest market in the country.Made something out of nothing with the team he had ( no REAL stars ).Somehow got Pennington to play 16 games for the first time in his 7 years.Had a REAL nice first draft: Brick, Mangold, Brad Smith, Leon Washington.I respect and admire what Sean Payton has done in NO, but I think in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he will be the sentimental pick.

 

[Raider Nation]

points for Magini winning coach of the year:

10-6 record in the AFC! Beat NE in NE!

The youngest coach in the NFL (35 yrs) in the toughest market in the country.

Made something out of nothing with the team he had ( no REAL stars ).

Somehow got Pennington to play 16 games for the first time in his 7 years.

Had a REAL nice first draft: Brick, Mangold, Brad Smith, Leon Washington.

I respect and admire what Sean Payton has done in NO, but I think in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he will be the sentimental pick.

Not just the sentimental pick, my friend.... the correct pick.Payton had a lot more to overcome than Mangini -- and not just Katrina.

 

[delusional]

points for Magini winning coach of the year:

10-6 record in the AFC! Beat NE in NE!

The youngest coach in the NFL (35 yrs) in the toughest market in the country.

Made something out of nothing with the team he had ( no REAL stars ).

Somehow got Pennington to play 16 games for the first time in his 7 years.

Had a REAL nice first draft: Brick, Mangold, Brad Smith, Leon Washington.

I respect and admire what Sean Payton has done in NO, but I think in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he will be the sentimental pick.

Not just the sentimental pick, my friend.... the correct pick.Payton had a lot more to overcome than Mangini -- and not just Katrina.

How so? Jets had NO running game.

NO had Duece and Bush

Jets had QB issues

NO had Brees coming off a great year

WRs are even

Def is about even too.

 

[nerangers]

To get this thread back on track.

I think the handshake will be there, no matter who wins. There is no way the Pats are looking at this as an easy game. I think it will come down to the Defenses.

Personally I was hoping that Denver would win so we could play them over the Jets. For some reason, I worry about the Jets more. Magini has the experience when it come the the Pats. Denver would have been a tough game, but manageable. Plus the fact that Denver ended the Pats playoff run last year, would have been icing on the cake to play them again. I am sure there will be some satisfaction though for BB if the Pats take out the Jets in round one.

Payton over Magini, but just barely.

 

[Patoons]

I'd bet the teacher schools the student this time around.

believe it or not , I felt better against the Colts then when I found out the Jets have to go BACK into NE

Going to be a tough one....

 

[Despyzer]

I wouldn't be too worried about the Jets winning that game. Only two of their last twelve opponents have winning records, causing me to think their record might be a bit overinflated.

I'm not saying they don't deserve to be there because they do, but the level of competition they have faced in recent weeks doesn't exactly prepare someone for the postseason.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

I'd bet the teacher schools the student this time around.

Unfortunately, that's highly likely.

yes, it will be tough to beat them twice at foxboro. but it would be very cool

 

[Ghost Rider]

I wouldn't be too worried about the Jets winning that game. Only two of their last twelve opponents have winning records, causing me to think their record might be a bit overinflated.

Only three of the Patriots last twelve opponents finished with a winning record, so I guess their record is a bit overinflated, too, eh?In fact, four of the Patriots five games against winning teams this year were at home, yet they still only went 2-3 in those games.

 

[Despyzer]

I wouldn't be too worried about the Jets winning that game. Only two of their last twelve opponents have winning records, causing me to think their record might be a bit overinflated.

Only three of the Patriots last twelve opponents finished with a winning record, so I guess their record is a bit overinflated, too, eh?In fact, four of the Patriots five games against winning teams this year were at home, yet they still only went 2-3 in those games.

So you are saying it's just a weak division then. I can buy that.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I wouldn't be too worried about the Jets winning that game. Only two of their last twelve opponents have winning records, causing me to think their record might be a bit overinflated.

Only three of the Patriots last twelve opponents finished with a winning record, so I guess their record is a bit overinflated, too, eh?In fact, four of the Patriots five games against winning teams this year were at home, yet they still only went 2-3 in those games.

So you are saying it's just a weak division then. I can buy that.

No, I am saying that the Patriots record is arguably as overinflated as the Jets is, if we use your criteria (record against and frequency of playing winning teams).

 

[nerangers]

I wouldn't be too worried about the Jets winning that game. Only two of their last twelve opponents have winning records, causing me to think their record might be a bit overinflated.

Only three of the Patriots last twelve opponents finished with a winning record, so I guess their record is a bit overinflated, too, eh?In fact, four of the Patriots five games against winning teams this year were at home, yet they still only went 2-3 in those games.

So you are saying it's just a weak division then. I can buy that.

No, I am saying that the Patriots record is arguably as overinflated as the Jets is, if we use your criteria (record against and frequency of playing winning teams).

It is over-inflated. This is not the best Pats team on the field. They do have potential though, but I have not seen a Patriots team that has turn the ball over as much as they did this year. These are both good teams though, so don't rule them out. Both will probably struggle in the next round on the road though.

 

[LBH]

If the Jets beat NE again it will make my year

 

[BGP]

Patriots:

385 points scored (7th)

237 points allowed (2nd)

+148 point differential

Jets:

316 points scored (18th)

295 points allowed (6th)

+21 point differential

Oh, let's compare the 06 Patriots to the 01 champion Patriots:

371 points scored (6th)

272 points allowed (6th)

+99 point differential

I see two things:

1. The Patriots are VASTLY superior.

2. If we assume the 01 team was a "floor", or a minimal amount of talent Belichick needs to win, then his current club has more than what he needs to win the 4th Patriots Super Bowl. The stats for the 05 club were clearly worse than the 01 club. But not the 06 edition.

 

[Bri]

So you are saying it's just a weak division then. I can buy that.

I don't think so at all.4 tough smart Ds in that division.

 

[ericttspikes]

Patriots:385 points scored (7th)237 points allowed (2nd)+148 point differentialJets:316 points scored (18th)295 points allowed (6th)+21 point differentialOh, let's compare the 06 Patriots to the 01 champion Patriots:371 points scored (6th)272 points allowed (6th)+99 point differentialI see two things:1. The Patriots are VASTLY superior.2. If we assume the 01 team was a "floor", or a minimal amount of talent Belichick needs to win, then his current club has more than what he needs to win the 4th Patriots Super Bowl. The stats for the 05 club were clearly worse than the 01 club. But not the 06 edition.

Those are suprising stats. What was the turnover differential between the two teams? I think that will paint a different picture.

 

[Bri]

I'd bet the teacher schools the student this time around.

Unfortunately, that's highly likely.

yes, it will be tough to beat them twice at foxboro. but it would be very cool

The Pats haven't been as good against the run(IMO I haven't checked stats) since Seau+Wilfork went down. The Jets used alot of their cute short passes to beat them last time. Coles usually gets his as he's excellent in that type of gameplan. However, if Cotchery and Baker are kept "in check" I think the Pats will be fine.Those short quick passes really took away our DL strength. Seymour and Warren will get to Chad if they have to change that and take a little time to throw.

 

[BGP]

Patriots:

385 points scored (7th)

237 points allowed (2nd)

+148 point differential

Jets:

316 points scored (18th)

295 points allowed (6th)

+21 point differential

Oh, let's compare the 06 Patriots to the 01 champion Patriots:

371 points scored (6th)

272 points allowed (6th)

+99 point differential

I see two things:

1. The Patriots are VASTLY superior.

2. If we assume the 01 team was a "floor", or a minimal amount of talent Belichick needs to win, then his current club has more than what he needs to win the 4th Patriots Super Bowl. The stats for the 05 club were clearly worse than the 01 club. But not the 06 edition.

Those are suprising stats. What was the turnover differential between the two teams? I think that will paint a different picture.

Yah, the Patriots aren't really noticed because they are the 4th seed I think. But they are a 12-4 4th seed with the #2 defense in the NFL. Turnover differential:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nf...riots/stats.htm

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/jets/stats.htm

Patriots have thrown 12 INTs.

Patriots D has 22 INTs.

Patriots have lost 15 fumbles.

Patriots D has recovered 13 fumbles.

Patriots TO margin: +8

Jets have thrown 16 INTs.

Jets D has 16 INTs.

Jets have lost 9 fumbles.

Jets D has recoverd 9 fumbles.

Jets TO Margin: 0

 

[BGP]

Who are the 2006 Jets?

They are a team that won 6 of their 10 games by one score or less.

Patriots have 5/12 wins in that category.

Other playoff teams:

Chargers: 7/14

Ravens: 4/13

Colts: 8/12

Chiefs: 5/9

Bears: 4/13

Eagles: 3/10

Saints: 4/10

Cowboys: 2/9

Giants: 3/8

Normally, I'd say the Bears and Ravens are your super bowl teams. But I think Belichick will win it all because he's the greatest coach in NFL history.

 

[LBH]

I think the Jets will be playing with less pressure to win. In my opinion the Pats are more talented, but these division games are usually close. Id like to know how many games the Pats and Jets have played the last 5 years that have been decided by a td or less. The fact that Mangini has a better understanding of how the Pats will attack the Jets on offense and defense in comparison to Herm Edwards gives Jets fans more hope than they would have had the past few seasons. I honestly dont expect the Jets to win this game, but I think they will keep it close enough so that if the ball bounces the right way, they could deliver an upset

 

[My_Favorite_Team_is]

The Pats haven't been as good against the run(IMO I haven't checked stats) since Seau+Wilfork went down. The Jets used alot of their cute short passes to beat them last time. Coles usually gets his as he's excellent in that type of gameplan. However, if Cotchery and Baker are kept "in check" I think the Pats will be fine.Those short quick passes really took away our DL strength. Seymour and Warren will get to Chad if they have to change that and take a little time to throw.

I think one of the major keys for the Pats is to keep the Jets WR in front of the D and to drop linemen into the shallow passing lanes. Look for Colvin or Seymore to pick a crucial pass. I hope the Pats don't get fixated on bringing pressure up the middle or else it is going to be a long day for the safeties. Any word on Rodney Harrison?

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Patriots:385 points scored (7th)237 points allowed (2nd)+148 point differentialJets:316 points scored (18th)295 points allowed (6th)+21 point differentialOh, let's compare the 06 Patriots to the 01 champion Patriots:371 points scored (6th)272 points allowed (6th)+99 point differentialI see two things:1. The Patriots are VASTLY superior.2. If we assume the 01 team was a "floor", or a minimal amount of talent Belichick needs to win, then his current club has more than what he needs to win the 4th Patriots Super Bowl. The stats for the 05 club were clearly worse than the 01 club. But not the 06 edition.

If Mangini beats NE in the playoffs in Foxboro you've GOT to give him coach of the year over Peyton even if the latter wins it all. Mangini started with no real solution at runningback (unlike the Bush / McAllister tandem) and still is burdened with a flappy-armed QB. What a great demonstration of what good coaching can accomplish in this league.NE 34NYJ 13

 

[Ghost Rider]

If Mangini beats NE in the playoffs in Foxboro you've GOT to give him coach of the year over Peyton even if the latter wins it all. Mangini started with no real solution at runningback (unlike the Bush / McAllister tandem) and still is burdened with a flappy-armed QB. What a great demonstration of what good coaching can accomplish in this league.

While your argument has a lot of merit to it, what happens in the playoffs has zero effect on who wins regular season awards.

 

[BGP]

If Mangini beats NE in the playoffs in Foxboro you've GOT to give him coach of the year over Peyton even if the latter wins it all. Mangini started with no real solution at runningback (unlike the Bush / McAllister tandem) and still is burdened with a flappy-armed QB. What a great demonstration of what good coaching can accomplish in this league.NE 34NYJ 13

Well I think official opinion awards like "coach of the year" are silly, but if you believe Mangini has done the best job this year I wouldn't disagree. And you don't need the NFL or the media to hand out "official" opinion-based awards to justify your view. You're not right or wrong because of such an award.

 

[Bri]

The Pats haven't been as good against the run(IMO I haven't checked stats) since Seau+Wilfork went down. The Jets used alot of their cute short passes to beat them last time. Coles usually gets his as he's excellent in that type of gameplan. However, if Cotchery and Baker are kept "in check" I think the Pats will be fine.Those short quick passes really took away our DL strength. Seymour and Warren will get to Chad if they have to change that and take a little time to throw.

I think one of the major keys for the Pats is to keep the Jets WR in front of the D and to drop linemen into the shallow passing lanes. Look for Colvin or Seymore to pick a crucial pass. I hope the Pats don't get fixated on bringing pressure up the middle or else it is going to be a long day for the safeties. Any word on Rodney Harrison?

Yeah but Seymour or Colvin won't get there on Coles. He's that quick and good at those routes, my opinion is to just give it to him. Cotch and Baker are another story. Good Q about Rodney. He should help the defense, his presence seems to make them better right away.

 

[Bri]

I respect and admire what Sean Payton has done in NO, but I think in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he will be the sentimental pick.

I can't find the article/interview, sorry.He seemed unfazed by Katrina affecting his coaching. Apparently, yeah it's been tough on some that's an obvious negative. But other players were really "itching" for direction and a leader after last season+Katrina and he probably had it easy in that regard. Seems like an even tradeoff there like Katrina didn't make his job harder or easier.

 

[brednbuddah]

For some reason, I worry about the Jets more. Magini has the experience when it come the the Pats.

I don't think NE fans have too much to worry about with this game...Belichick has directed the Patriots to a 68-23 (.747) record - the most successful run in franchise history - including a 10-1 postseason mark. Belichick owns a career playoff record of 11-2, a mark that ranks second in NFL history behind only the legendary Vince Lombardi (9-1)

The Patriots enter the 2006 season having recorded a record of 19-5 (.792) against playoff teams since the beginning of the 2003 season.

Since 2001, Belichick's teams are 50-2 when leading at halftime and are 55-1 when leading after three quarters. Between 2001 and 2004, the Patriots won 38 consecutive games when leading after three quarters and 31 consecutive games when leading at halftime.

and add the fact that Belichick probably wants to make the Jets regular season win in NE look like a fluke...

 

[BGP]

The Pats haven't been as good against the run(IMO I haven't checked stats) since Seau+Wilfork went down. The Jets used alot of their cute short passes to beat them last time. Coles usually gets his as he's excellent in that type of gameplan. However, if Cotchery and Baker are kept "in check" I think the Pats will be fine.Those short quick passes really took away our DL strength. Seymour and Warren will get to Chad if they have to change that and take a little time to throw.

I think one of the major keys for the Pats is to keep the Jets WR in front of the D and to drop linemen into the shallow passing lanes. Look for Colvin or Seymore to pick a crucial pass. I hope the Pats don't get fixated on bringing pressure up the middle or else it is going to be a long day for the safeties. Any word on Rodney Harrison?

Yeah but Seymour or Colvin won't get there on Coles. He's that quick and good at those routes, my opinion is to just give it to him. Cotch and Baker are another story. Good Q about Rodney. He should help the defense, his presence seems to make them better right away.

I think Belichick goes for the throat early to rattle them. The gameplan will be to fill the Jets with self-doubt as soon as possible. Make them think they don't belong. I think Brady is very aggressive in the first quarter.

 

[Iron Mike Tomczak]

I dont know about heads exploding, but if the Jets win any ham or bacon in your room may levitate.

See where Im going here?

 

[Rovers]

I expect NE to win, but the simple fact that the Jets have already beaten NE at home proves that they are capable of an upset here. Even if Harrison is out, I think the loss of Dyson for the Jets is bigger. The Jets have little depth at CB, and Brady could light them up.

I think Mangini will show defensive fronts that beg to be run on, much the way he game planned against Indy. He'll plan on using a lot of rotations, especially at LB to keep the defense somewhat rested, given the probable lopsidedness of the ToP battle.

Pennington will have to have zero urnovers. Pennington threw 16 INT's this year. The Jets record when he has 2 or more INT's in one game is 1-5. When he had one or no INT's, the Jets went 9-1. Maybe not so coincidently, the one loss was to the Pats back in Sept, when he had 1 INT. If Pennington can dink and dunk without any turnovers, the Pats are in for a very difficult game. I don't think for a moment this statisctic is one Belichick isn't fully aware of either though.... I'm sure he will take some gambles with his D backfield, jumping some short routes in an attempt to create turnovers.

Jets are playing with house money....

 

[chris1969]

If I were Mangini, I'd be calling the Dolphins for those tapes!

 

[Rovers]

If I were Mangini, I'd be calling the Dolphins for those tapes!

Um.... why is that? The Jets also beat the Pats in NE this year. I think Mangini can figure it out without any help from Saban.

 

[pats3in4]

I don't know about BB's head, but MY head will explode if the Jets win.

I don't like the familiarity between the coaching staffs. I don't like how the Jets' D played the correct gameplan in their win. I don't like how the Jets treat Foxboro as "Meadowlands North" and really play with no fear there.

I do like how the Pats have played since the Miami fiasco. I do like how the Pats played well off the receivers in that muddy loss...a mistake I seriously doubt they'll repeat. I do like the new artificial surface...Brady is something like 19-1 on fake turf, that one loss being the 2003 opener in Buffalo when the team played flat in the wake of Milloy's release.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

I don't know about BB's head, but MY head will explode if the Jets win. :X I don't like the familiarity between the coaching staffs. I don't like how the Jets' D played the correct gameplan in their win. I don't like how the Jets treat Foxboro as "Meadowlands North" and really play with no fear there.I do like how the Pats have played since the Miami fiasco. I do like how the Pats played well off the receivers in that muddy loss...a mistake I seriously doubt they'll repeat. I do like the new artificial surface...Brady is something like 19-1 on fake turf, that one loss being the 2003 opener in Buffalo when the team played flat in the wake of Milloy's release.

RELAX; it's not Denver, so we're good.

 

[My_Favorite_Team_is]

I dont know about heads exploding, but if the Jets win any ham or bacon in your room may levitate.See where Im going here?

-9

 

[Z-Dog]

I wouldn't be too worried about the Jets winning that game. Only two of their last twelve opponents have winning records, causing me to think their record might be a bit overinflated.I'm not saying they don't deserve to be there because they do, but the level of competition they have faced in recent weeks doesn't exactly prepare someone for the postseason.

Among the two opponents with winning records was the Patriots, whom the Jets beat in Foxboro. All of this talk about point differentials and turnover margins and records in the playoffs or on artificial turf is all nonsense. If the Jets score more points than the Pats, the Jets win, no matter how many Superbowl rings Tom Brady has, or how fast the express bus that BB is riding to Canton goes. And if the Pats score more points than the Jets, the 20-17 loss they took in Foxboro won't knock them out of the playoffs, nor will Mangini's intimate knowledge of the Pats personnel and playbook.SO which team will score more points? I think we have to agree that it's a tough one. New England has a terrific running game, and the Jets have been vulnerable to the run all season - they even gave Justin Fargas his best day of the '06 season last week. The Jets are also down their top corner, though one could argue that it hardly takes a top corner to cover the likes of Reche Caldwell.I think that for the Jets to win they will need to perfectly execute the dink-and-dunk followed by the over-the-top completion. BB will look to confuse Pennington and goad him into throwing it down the field into coverage by disguising coverages as blitzes and blitzes as coverages. I also wouldn't be surprised at all if the Jets came out throwing deep to start the game, looking to pick on the absence of Harrison in the secondary, and seeking to surprise the Pats, who are liekly preparing for a different style of offense.

 

[brobe4]

Belichick showed how not to act after a loss last time. Maybe this time he can show some class.

 

[Bri]

I wouldn't be too worried about the Jets winning that game. Only two of their last twelve opponents have winning records, causing me to think their record might be a bit overinflated.I'm not saying they don't deserve to be there because they do, but the level of competition they have faced in recent weeks doesn't exactly prepare someone for the postseason.

Among the two opponents with winning records was the Patriots, whom the Jets beat in Foxboro. All of this talk about point differentials and turnover margins and records in the playoffs or on artificial turf is all nonsense. If the Jets score more points than the Pats, the Jets win, no matter how many Superbowl rings Tom Brady has, or how fast the express bus that BB is riding to Canton goes. And if the Pats score more points than the Jets, the 20-17 loss they took in Foxboro won't knock them out of the playoffs, nor will Mangini's intimate knowledge of the Pats personnel and playbook.SO which team will score more points? I think we have to agree that it's a tough one. New England has a terrific running game, and the Jets have been vulnerable to the run all season - they even gave Justin Fargas his best day of the '06 season last week. The Jets are also down their top corner, though one could argue that it hardly takes a top corner to cover the likes of Reche Caldwell.I think that for the Jets to win they will need to perfectly execute the dink-and-dunk followed by the over-the-top completion. BB will look to confuse Pennington and goad him into throwing it down the field into coverage by disguising coverages as blitzes and blitzes as coverages. I also wouldn't be surprised at all if the Jets came out throwing deep to start the game, looking to pick on the absence of Harrison in the secondary, and seeking to surprise the Pats, who are liekly preparing for a different style of offense.

I don't disagree with the beginning of your post but ya gotta admit that their playoff experience is a large edge. Sometimes that's nothing but other times the experienced team comes out "calm cool and collected" and just rolls along. I'm not making it out to be a sure win, I do agree with the sentiment of your post

 

[Bri]

If I were Mangini, I'd be calling the Dolphins for those tapes!

Um.... why is that? The Jets also beat the Pats in NE this year. I think Mangini can figure it out without any help from Saban.

I think that was a reference to stealing play calls or signals or whatever. I hope some team does. To think the Pats would fall for that again would be foolish.

 

[Bodeine]

While I respect the success Payton has had with NO this year, I think the record turn-around from 2005 has a largely based in the fact that the Saints WERE A ROAD TEAM for all of last season.

I don't think that fact is getting enough attention. To me, it lessens the "turn-around" success Payton is being credited for.

 

[My_Favorite_Team_is]

If I were Mangini, I'd be calling the Dolphins for those tapes!

Um.... why is that? The Jets also beat the Pats in NE this year. I think Mangini can figure it out without any help from Saban.

I think that was a reference to stealing play calls or signals or whatever. I hope some team does. To think the Pats would fall for that again would be foolish.

I thought the rumor was that Mangini supplied the tapes to Saban in the first place

 

[Z-Dog]

I wouldn't be too worried about the Jets winning that game. Only two of their last twelve opponents have winning records, causing me to think their record might be a bit overinflated.I'm not saying they don't deserve to be there because they do, but the level of competition they have faced in recent weeks doesn't exactly prepare someone for the postseason.

Among the two opponents with winning records was the Patriots, whom the Jets beat in Foxboro. All of this talk about point differentials and turnover margins and records in the playoffs or on artificial turf is all nonsense. If the Jets score more points than the Pats, the Jets win, no matter how many Superbowl rings Tom Brady has, or how fast the express bus that BB is riding to Canton goes. And if the Pats score more points than the Jets, the 20-17 loss they took in Foxboro won't knock them out of the playoffs, nor will Mangini's intimate knowledge of the Pats personnel and playbook.SO which team will score more points? I think we have to agree that it's a tough one. New England has a terrific running game, and the Jets have been vulnerable to the run all season - they even gave Justin Fargas his best day of the '06 season last week. The Jets are also down their top corner, though one could argue that it hardly takes a top corner to cover the likes of Reche Caldwell.I think that for the Jets to win they will need to perfectly execute the dink-and-dunk followed by the over-the-top completion. BB will look to confuse Pennington and goad him into throwing it down the field into coverage by disguising coverages as blitzes and blitzes as coverages. I also wouldn't be surprised at all if the Jets came out throwing deep to start the game, looking to pick on the absence of Harrison in the secondary, and seeking to surprise the Pats, who are liekly preparing for a different style of offense.

I don't disagree with the beginning of your post but ya gotta admit that their playoff experience is a large edge. Sometimes that's nothing but other times the experienced team comes out "calm cool and collected" and just rolls along. I'm not making it out to be a sure win, I do agree with the sentiment of your post

Though the Pats have more playoff experience, the Jets have some too. Among the offensive starters, Kendall, Moore, Pennington, Coles, Baker and Cotcherry have been to the playoffs and played at least two games. On defense, Von Oelhoffen, Robertson, Ellis, Thomas, Vilma, Hobson, Barton, Barrett, and Coleman have all been to the playoffs too. That's a majority of both starting units, and the entire front seven on defense. Maybe if this was the AFC championship the inexperience would be a greater factor, but lots of these guys have played and won a wildcard game.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Belichick showed how not to act after a loss last time. Maybe this time he can show some class.

Perhaps. And perhaps Mangini can try not recruiting Patriots players on the flight back from Denver, not putting forward a bogus offer to Deion Branch, and not abandoning the organization that promoted him to defensive coordinator after one year. Then again, perhaps not. Jets fans: "That meanie didn't shake our coach's hand properly!!!" There won't be any fluke TDs to Coles and Cotchery this time, #####es.

 

[Bad_Mo]

I'd bet the teacher schools the student this time around.

Unfortunately, that's highly likely.

How is this highly unlikely?

 

[Nigel]

As a Pats fan, I love the fact that the Jets beat the Pats at home earlier in the year and I suspect in hindsight BB does also. What better motivator to make sure his team comes ready to play?

A number of things were in the Jets favor the last time around:

1. They had a bye leading up to that game, an extra week to prepare. The Pats were coming off a tough game with Indy.

2. Seymour and Warren did not play.

3. The field, a disaster in good weather, was even moreso with the wind and rain that marred that day. A great equalizer. That won't be an issue with the field turf and Brady is 20-1 in his carrer on an artificial surface.

4. Brady was still getting to know his WRs back then, they are more in synch now.

The loss of Harrison hurts, but he didn't play in the loss either. The Pats are playing solid, zero turnovers in their last three games after going through a stretch of sloppy play midseason.

Pats 24 Jets 10

 

[Rovers]

Belichick showed how not to act after a loss last time. Maybe this time he can show some class.

Perhaps. And perhaps Mangini can try not recruiting Patriots players on the flight back from Denver, not putting forward a bogus offer to Deion Branch, and not abandoning the organization that promoted him to defensive coordinator after one year. Then again, perhaps not. Jets fans: "That meanie didn't shake our coach's hand properly!!!" There won't be any fluke TDs to Coles and Cotchery this time, #####es.

I never did believe that 'recruiting" story. The Jets were still actively interviewing head coaching candidates, and had not yet met with Mangini.... but he was recruiting Pats players? You want to talk about a coach abandoning a franchise? start with Belichick when he walked out on the Jets. Belichick is a great coach, that cannot be denied, but he is pretty low class... a home wrecker and a poor sport. Sort of like some Pats fans.....

 

[My_Favorite_Team_is]

I wouldn't be too worried about the Jets winning that game. Only two of their last twelve opponents have winning records, causing me to think their record might be a bit overinflated.

I'm not saying they don't deserve to be there because they do, but the level of competition they have faced in recent weeks doesn't exactly prepare someone for the postseason.

Among the two opponents with winning records was the Patriots, whom the Jets beat in Foxboro. All of this talk about point differentials and turnover margins and records in the playoffs or on artificial turf is all nonsense. If the Jets score more points than the Pats, the Jets win, no matter how many Superbowl rings Tom Brady has, or how fast the express bus that BB is riding to Canton goes. And if the Pats score more points than the Jets, the 20-17 loss they took in Foxboro won't knock them out of the playoffs, nor will Mangini's intimate knowledge of the Pats personnel and playbook.

SO which team will score more points? I think we have to agree that it's a tough one. New England has a terrific running game, and the Jets have been vulnerable to the run all season - they even gave Justin Fargas his best day of the '06 season last week. The Jets are also down their top corner, though one could argue that it hardly takes a top corner to cover the likes of Reche Caldwell.

I think that for the Jets to win they will need to perfectly execute the dink-and-dunk followed by the over-the-top completion. BB will look to confuse Pennington and goad him into throwing it down the field into coverage by disguising coverages as blitzes and blitzes as coverages. I also wouldn't be surprised at all if the Jets came out throwing deep to start the game, looking to pick on the absence of Harrison in the secondary, and seeking to surprise the Pats, who are liekly preparing for a different style of offense.

I don't disagree with the beginning of your post but ya gotta admit that their playoff experience is a large edge. Sometimes that's nothing but other times the experienced team comes out "calm cool and collected" and just rolls along. I'm not making it out to be a sure win, I do agree with the sentiment of your post

Though the Pats have more playoff experience, the Jets have some too. Among the offensive starters, Kendall, Moore, Pennington, Coles, Baker and Cotcherry have been to the playoffs and played at least two games. On defense, Von Oelhoffen, Robertson, Ellis, Thomas, Vilma, Hobson, Barton, Barrett, and Coleman have all been to the playoffs too. That's a majority of both starting units, and the entire front seven on defense. Maybe if this was the AFC championship the inexperience would be a greater factor, but lots of these guys have played and won a wildcard game.

That's good posting...the pressure is completely off the Jets at this point and, in my opinion, completely on the Pats. No one or at least not many people would have picked the Jets to win more than 8 games let alone make the playoffs, so everything is on the Pats to put forth the superior effort. Thankfully, as "a classless, home-wrecking New England Fan", I believe that the Pats have enough to overcome this pressure. However it goes, here's to a great Sunday matchup:

Edit for profanity...sorry