Jets circling

When the Patriots run

BenJarvus Green-Ellis is making people forget the Patriots are without their top three tailbacks. The 5-foot-11-inch, 215-pound rookie runs hard and low. He has shown deceptive quickness and surprising strength. Green-Ellis sees openings quickly and doesn't hesitate. Last Sunday against the Bills, he took a couple of good shots and was able to deflect them. Now Green-Ellis has to prove he can come back and be productive on short rest against a much better run defense. If Sammy Morris (knee) returns, it will help because with a steady rain expected tonight, a rotation of Green-Ellis, Morris, and Kevin Faulk running behind a rugged offensive line could wear down the stout Jets. Center Dan Koppen gets the unenviable task of butting heads with Jets nose man Kris Jenkins. The 6-4, 360-pound Jenkins has a surprisingly explosive first step and tremendous upper-body strength. Koppen will need help from guards Logan Mankins and Stephen Neal to keep Jenkins from taking over this game. Inside linebacker Eric Barton has tremendous instincts and pursues ball carriers like a crazed dog. Barton lacks speed but once he catches a runner, he makes it hurt. Safety Kerry Rhodes is a solid run supporter and big hitter.
Edge: Jets

When the Patriots pass

Matt Cassel has shown a nice touch in the short passing game and the willingness to take shots downfield. Once Cassel shows he can hit those long balls on a semi-consistent basis, this offense will become more dangerous. If Cassel can hit Wes Welker and tight ends Benjamin Watson and David Thomas on some quick hitters, the Jets won't be able to blitz him to death. On intermediate routes, Jabar Gaffney and Sam Aiken (he showed strong hands last week) will be the choice. Randy Moss is the deep threat. The Jets will harass the quarterback, with defensive end Shaun Ellis leading the way. Ellis has a great first step and can overwhelm tackles. He's fast enough to go around blockers off the edge and powerful enough to slide through inside gaps. Look for Watson and Thomas to deliver some chip blocks to impede Ellis's path to the pocket. Outside linebackers Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace can also get to the quarterback. Darrelle Revis (he's quick and smart) and Dwight Lowery (he's raw) are the starting corners. Safeties Kerry Rhodes and Abram Elam (a ballhawk) are solid. Veteran Ty Law adds depth at both positions.
Edge: Patriots

When the Jets run

Thomas Jones is running with renewed vigor behind a front that is blowing opponents off the line of scrimmage. Jones is a slasher with excellent vision. The 5-foot-10-inch, 215-pounder has the patience to wait for his blocks and the quickness to blast through tiny openings. Backup Leon Washington (5-8, 202 pounds) is as quick as greased lightning and runs low, making him difficult to punish. Washington thrives on cutback lanes, so clogging the arteries is imperative. Left guard Alan Faneca sets the tone for a consistent and tough offensive line. He always takes the right angles, allowing him to gain leverage on his defender. After stunning his initial man, he works hard to get into linebackers' legs and keep them from their intended target. Center Nick Mangold counters bigger defenders with smarts and athleticism. They don't come much bigger than Vince Wilfork and the one-on-one battles between these two brawlers should be particularly entertaining. Right guard Brandon Moore is strong and smart but lacks balance and will get beat by quicker defenders. Wilfork and fellow front-line defenders Richard Seymour and Ty Warren have to anchor against the run and allow linebackers Jerod Mayo and Tedy Bruschi room to seek and destroy.
Edge: Jets

When the Jets pass

Brett Favre continues to amaze in his 18th season. The confident gunslinger still has an exceptionally strong arm and there isn't a defense out there he hasn't seen. Favre has adapted to the Jets' offense with ease and is completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for nearly 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns. Favre still will try to force passes he has no right trying (12 interceptions). He has two solid receivers in Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery. Coles is quick and fearless. He plays through injuries and his production doesn't drop off. Cotchery is a bigger version of Coles. He sets up defenders well and will challenge defensive backs over the middle. He isn't explosive, but you'll swear he's open on every play. Tight end Chris Baker is a decent receiver but is counted on more to block. Patriots corner Ellis Hobbs is quick and has closing speed and matches up well with Coles. Ballhawking Deltha O'Neal will keep one eye on Cotchery and the other on Favre. Richard Seymour and Mike Vrabel have to take advantage of massive left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson (he's smart but soft) to put pressure on Favre and force some bad throws.
Edge: Jets

JETS' KEY PLAYER
Kris Jenkins
This 6-foot-4-inch, 360-pound behemoth has been playing like a rampaging beast this season. Always a stout run defender, Jenkins has improved his pass-rushing skills and can singlehandedly collapse the pocket.
How he beats you: With tremendous size and surprising quickness. He can occupy multiple blockers, allowing the linebackers room to hunt, or he can shoot gaps and cause chaos in the backfield.
How to shut him down: By wearing him down. Jenkins lacks stamina. He must be double-teamed and punished on every play to ensure he's sucking wind by the fourth quarter.

PATRIOTS' KEYS TO VICTORY
1. Son, you're looking at a legend: Brett Favre may be a little long in the tooth, but he can still make plays. Bring the heat and force him into some bad decisions.
2. Pedal to the metal: BenJarvus Green-Ellis has to run low and hard to keep the defense from blitzing Matt Cassel into submission.
3. How 'bout double or nothing: To complete a season sweep, the offensive line has to protect Cassel to keep the chains moving and the clock running.

JETS' KEYS TO VICTORY
1. Sonic boomers: Burners Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery have to use their speed and fearlessness to tear apart this patchwork secondary.
2. High-speed flight: Leon Washington is an exceptional return man. He uses speed and elusiveness to give the Jets good field position on kickoffs and punts.
3. Test pattern: Ty Law will be tested early. He has to prove he still has cover skills or the Patriots will try to wear him out.

Injuries

PATRIOTS: OUT: LB Adalius Thomas (forearm), CB Terrence Wheatley (wrist). DOUBTFUL: RB LaMont Jordan (calf), CB Lewis Sanders (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: LB Eric Alexander (hamstring), RB Sammy Morris (knee), G Stephen Neal (knee), DE Ty Warren (groin).

JETS: OUT: TE Bubba Franks (hip), LB David Harris (groin), S Eric Smith (head). QUESTIONABLE: K Mike Nugent (thigh). PROBABLE: WR Laveranues Coles (thigh), WR Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder), WR Brad Smith (shoulder), LB Cody Spencer (shoulder).