Soggy outlook
If you're heading to Gillette Stadium tonight for the Patriots-Jets showdown, you'd be wise to wear your raincoat. Actually, arriving via an ark might not be a bad idea, either, assuming the current weather forecast proves accurate.
According to weather.com, steady rain is expected in the Foxborough from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by scattered showers until sometime between 11 p.m. and midnight.
With kickoff set for 8:15 p.m., it appears all but certain that the game will take place in less-than-ideal conditions, though temperatures will be in the mid-40s.
As Mike Reiss noted in a post here early this morning, this wouldn't be the first time in recent seasons that wet weather would affect a matchup with the Jets:
Two seasons ago, almost to the day, the Jets came into Gillette Stadium on a rainy day and posted a surprising victory. Tonight's forecast also calls for rain, although the feeling here is that it helps the Patriots in part because [Jets quarterback Brett] Favre's ball security is always a concern for the Jets. Both teams figure to have trouble running the ball, as both defenses are especially strong in that area.
It will be fascinating to what impact the weather has on strategy and the outcome.
Will it make Favre -- who can be mistake-prone and careless even in the best of conditions -- even more likely to commit a crucial turnover? Or will it hinder Matt Cassel, a California native who presumably has little experience throwing the ball in lousy weather?
Will it give the Jets an edge in the running game since Thomas Jones is a more experienced ball carrier than Patriots rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis?
Will it mean the big-play capability of Randy Moss will be of less concern to the Jets, and will it make Wes Welker and Kevin Faulk even more important in the short passing game?
Is there something we're overlooking? Or are we blowing the potential effects out of proportion? Let us know in the comments how you think the rain could affect tonight's game.
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I think it will be a huge help for the Pats if the game is a slopfest. W. Welker can kill in the short passing game. I look at it like the Snow Bowl was. Short passes and the RBs out of the backfield were huge. And hopefully the Jets can't beat the Pats deep, which has been an achilles' heel all season.
As I recall, the last game when the Jets won was before the fieldturf was installed and was played in really sloppy conditions. I don't think footing will be a factor but neither will big plays. Low scoring slugfest with lots of kicking to establish field position. Patriots win 16-13.
i think this game will come down to leon washington and kevin faulk, with the weather factor. screen passes will be a feature play
I think the rain will be a factor in that it keeps scoring low, I think Matt doesn't turn it over, Brett doses, and that is the difference in a hard fought low scoring game.
Anyone who thinks this game will help the Pats is insane. It COULD force Favre into turnovers but think Cassel is going to be bobbling snaps and tosses out there does not sit well with me. He'll need some chalk.
Umbrellas are not allowed in the stadium. You must be a baseball guy.
I'd submit that a slow field and windy conditions favor the Pats this time. Plenty of NFL analysts have zeroed in the on the Pats' secondary to be the X-factor in this game. If Favre can't throw downfield because of swirling winds a lot of pressure comes off of Hobbs and Co. Remember, Mangini get raked for not letting Favre air it out more in game 1 so it's logical the Jets have some big plays drawn up for Coles. Of course Cassel would be subject to the same disadvantage. But the short passing attack is such a staple of the Pats' offense--both to act as a running game and (this season) as to build Cassel's confidence-- I think the shortened, slow field hurts the Jets more.
I remember well Sept 9, 1979 56-3 in the pouring rain
it'll probably affect the kicking game
If you have a ticket please go to the game. I'm a Pats fan living in New Jersey and local talk radio is saying Pats fans are giving their tickets back. New Yorkers are flocking to the game as we speak.
Come on Pats ticket holders we need you to be loud tonight!
Cassel needs the experience playing in bad weather, so whether it's a help or a hindrance is irrelevant. Coming out of tonight will help him in December, when the games are even more important.
No umbrellas
Faulk and Welker will be key factors. The Patriots need to continue the deke and dunk clock control offense. Turnovers will decide this game.
The last time the Jet's beat the Patriots it was in similar conditions. It was the last game played at Gillette on grass. So it is a bit concerning.
I do think this raises the question "where is Matt Cassel development in his ability to use a glove and effectively throw the ball?" The cold and weather elements will now become a factor every week. Tom Brady had a tough time during his first season trying to adapt to a glove once the weather changed. I hope this doesn't impact Cassel.
I think the score will be low, but the conditions were not favorable in the Pats/Jets match up last December and the Pats came out on top. The running game will be working hard tonight and Cassel must be careful in protecting the ball. (I'll be celebrating my 24th birthday proudly at the game tonight...without umbrellas -- not allowed. A little rain never hurt!)
Sounds like football weather to me! Anyone who is afraid to get wet and wants to give up their seat, give me a call.
I hear the excusues already Pats fans ! It was too rainy and muddy....GEEZ ! Give me a break ! Come on now the genius of Belicheat is supposed to win games like this....but if the Jets win, I will be reading EVERY DELICIOUS WORD in the papers tomorrow ! GO JETS ! MAy the Patriots be JInxed for 25 years ! My crystal ball says - FAVRE RETIRES AND JETS SIGN FREE AGENT MATT CASSELL WHO LEADS THEM TO SUPER BOWL VICTORY. THAT WOULD ROCK !
Sincerely,
The 18-1 Guy in Marblehead, MA
I think the rain subsides early and becomes a non-factor in the outcome.
what is this PRAVDA? NO Pro-Jets postings allowed ? What a small town with big city envy.......always will be.....Lil' bean town.......
18-1.....ahhhhh the happiest sports day of my life. :-)
Remember that game at FB stadium in 1993 against the Jets? It was a typhoon! All I remember about that one, other than the weather, was that Zolak for some reason was in for Bledsoe.
Hey Chad
Mike Reiss is reporting light winds at this point. If they remain that way, the rain won't be as big of a deal.
Regarding that historic 56-3 Pats blowout of the Jets back in 1979 -- I was there, and it was a perfect late summer sunny Sunday afternoon -- not a drop of rain. None of this of course means anything, but you got it wrong on the weather. As an interesting footnote to that game, it was in the Pats lockeroom afterward that Raymond Clayborn and the late Will McDonough got into it. Lucky for Clayborn that cooler heads prevailed -- the only thing he was going to beat McDonough in was the 40 yard dash. What a shame McDonough missed out on the dynasty.
ok so its raining come now ...no mud to worry about the field will be fine so will the pats...i still think the jets defense is VERY suspect not to mention Cassel is very good in the short passing game with a threat to run if you over play...Which they the jets will try and PAY....Lots of hype here yet i think this one is over early third quarter ..This will give the jets ample time before 12:00 pm before they can turn into who they really are THE New YORK J ETS ...
BenJarvus Green-Ellis is one mean dude. My money is on him.
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