With the weather supposedly forecast to be really crappy and wet, this game reminds me a lot of the game 2 years ago in NE where we beat them and sparked a run for the playoffs in Mang's first year. Lot's of similarities this time around, except no Tom Brady. I think the bad weather will suit us more than it suits them for several reasons: 1. Our defense is more physical, and can stop the run better than theirs. Green-Ellis doesn't scare me too much with Jenkins anchoring our line. They will try to run outside on us, off tackle and stretch plays, but our OLBs and DEs will hold it down. 2. The rain will surely put a damper (no pun intended) on the passing game, which will leave Cassel (and favre) open to many sacks and poor throws. Due to our superior ground game, I think this gives the Jets an advantage, less of a need to use the pass and take chances.. see next point. 3. The running game will be KEY, and I feel like we've built up a momentum with our ground game as of late and TJ and LW will be able to move the ball (consistently enough) to help us win this game. 4. It would also significantly limit their quick players such as welker, making coverage easier on them. That said, Moss will probably gain a bit of an advantage due to his size. 5. Special teams will also be extremely important and this is where we will have to make sure to do what we have been doing all season: GET GREAT FIELD POSITION. I know we've been great at it, but the one game where we really struggled in this area was against the Pats the first time this season and I think that is one of the main reasons we lost.. it also led to the release of ben graham. All of the other games, leon has been able to put us in great position. Weather will make this harder, but we need to continue to win the field position battle because obviously, this will lead to more points for us and less points for them. I also have a feeling that feely will play a big role.. 3-4, possibly 5 field goal attempts - how many of those he makes could determine the outcome.
The wet field is going to take some of the speed out of Leon Washington on Special Teams and Outside Runs. The only advantage I see the weather giving to our running game is Thomas Jones; up the middle. If the weather is really going to be that bad then this has the possibility to be a really ugly game. I forsee alot of dropped easy catches. Although I do see the weather playing as our 12th man. With our guys stuffing the run, it's going to force Cassel to have to pass on crucial third down situations. I can see the weather helping stop their passing game.
I don;t see exactly how our running games is that superior to the pats. We average better, they gain more yards and have a 1 more rushing TD then us this year. I think our Run D can be the difference. NE did put up over 100 yards against our run D in week two, but its been a long time and things have gelled very well since then. Its gonna be a hell of a game.
Bad weather means Gostkowski can't kick the ball over LWs head, so he can take it back beyond the 20. Thats bad news for the Pats.
You make a good point, but things have definitely changed. I should have clarified.. ala John McCain. By superior ground game I meant the personnel. TJ and LW and our O-line are considered better than their troop. Seriously though, what I meant was that our ground game has a better chance of succeeding against their defense then theirs does against our D.
Regardless of the weather, have someone actually covering Kevin Faulk out of the backfield on 3rd down and we win the game.
Our rushing offense has just started to click the last few games. We are much better than we were, while the Pats aren't better in their rushing game than they were the last time we played. I believe that Favre will deal with the poor weather better than Cassell will.
