They'll have to pay special attention

FOXBOROUGH -- Beware of special teams.

That's been a message Patriots coaches stressed in the days leading to today's playoff game against the Jets. And any assessment of the Jets' special teams starts with kickoff returner Justin Miller, a first-time Pro Bowler. Miller led the NFL with a 28.3-yard average, totaling 46 returns for 1,304 yards, with two touchdowns.

"In playoff football, field position is a big factor," said Patriots special teams captain Larry Izzo. "The New York Jets are obviously very strong in the kicking game. They have a Pro Bowl returner, they're good in coverage, they're well coached, so it is going to be a big challenge for us to get the edge in that phase of the game."

The Patriots have done well regarding field position. The average drive starting point for their opponents is the 26.1-yard line, 10th best in the league. But the Jets' average drive start is the 31.3-yard line, the third-best ranking in the league.

The Patriots are likely to have three rookies on kickoff coverage in defensive back Willie Andrews and linebackers Pierre Woods and Corey Mays, and two inexperienced players in receiver Kelvin Kight and cornerback Antwain Spann.

How they fare against Miller and Co. is one of today's key matchups.

"Any time you go in the kicking game, a big part of it is the kick," coach Bill Belichick said. "If you get a good enough kick, [anyone] could go out there and cover them. That's not always going to happen. So then, once you actually have to cover them, it comes down to lane discipline, leverage, toughness, tackling. You have to get the guy on the ground. Even if you're in good position, if you don't tackle him, then all the rest of it is meaningless."

Punter Todd Sauerbrun is in his 12th NFL season and has worked with several accomplished place kickers, including Jeff Jaeger, Kevin Butler, John Kasay and Jason Elam. He ranks Patriots rookie kicker Stephen Gostkowski highly among that group.

"Outstanding, one of the most impressive kickers I've ever been around," Sauerbrun said. "He's smart and has a great head on his shoulders, and by far is the strongest in terms of leg speed. I think New England is lucky to have him, especially in a place like this, with the weather and elements."

Gostkowski has kept a low profile this week as rookies have been restricted from speaking with the media. Sauerbrun, however, likes the way Gostkowski has handled the pressure leading up to today's game.

"It hasn't bothered him at all," he said. "Obviously the stakes are higher, but you just have to stay focused."

For the second year in a row, the Patriots are expected to turn to veteran Artrell Hawkins to start a playoff game at safety after losing opening-day starters Eugene Wilson (hamstring) and Rodney Harrison (right knee). Hawkins's ability to align his teammates before the snap is crucial, according to Belichick.

"Especially in a game like this, with the Jets, who do a lot of different things, give you a lot of different looks and personnel combinations," he said.

Last year, Hawkins joined the Patriots in mid-November before emerging as a key contributor. This year, he's been with the team since the start of training camp, which Belichick believes is a benefit.

"He's been here all the way through every game situation and every adjustment that we've had, whereas when you come in the middle of the season, you're kind of working from game plan to game plan and you just don't have that same kind of base," Belichick said. "Hawk has done a great job for us."

The Jets have been called for 70 assessed penalties (for 560 yards), the third-lowest total in the league behind the Broncos (67) and Steelers (69). The Patriots have been called for 98 assessed penalties this season (for 940 yards). . . . In the all-important turnover differential department, the Patriots are at plus-8 (35 takeaways, 27 giveaways), and the Jets are even (25 takeaways, 25 giveaways) . . . Bill Vinovich is scheduled to referee today's game.

Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com.