Three keys vs. Jets

1. Force them into mistakes The Jets have been like two different teams this season. They’ve been impressive with quality victories over the Dolphins, Cardinals, and Bills, but they’ve also struggled to beat the Bengals and Chiefs, and they had a terrible overtime loss to the lowly Raiders. They seem to have found some consistency with three straight wins since the loss to Oakland. New England didn’t have gaudy numbers in a 19-10 victory over New York on Sept. 14, with just four more total yards than the Jets, but the Patriots didn’t turn the ball over and had a key interception of Brett Favre in the third quarter that led to their only touchdown. Turnovers should again make a difference — Favre has thrown an NFL-high 12 interceptions.

2. Key up the D The Jets enter tonight’s game with the third-highest scoring offense in football. That total has been boosted by a 56-point performance against the Cardinals and Sunday’s 47-3 shellacking of the Rams. New York possesses a pair of excellent weapons on the outside in Jerricho Cotchery (43 catches, 510 yards) and Laveranues Coles (41 catches, 487 yards). But the biggest threat for New England’s 12th-ranked rush defense will be Thomas Jones. The ninth-year running back is having a career year, with 750 yards rushing, fifth in the NFL, for 4.7 yards per carry and eight touchdowns.

3. Pass, but be careful With Matt Cassel making his first career start, the Patriots’ defense carried them in the first meeting. Cassel is becoming more comfortable, and the Patriots should have a more efficient passing attack this time around; the Jets have the 21st-ranked pass defense in the NFL. However, New York has the fifth-best run defense in football and should be able to focus on containing Cassel. Second-year cornerback Darrelle Revis has picked off four passes this season, while defensive end Shaun Ellis has bolstered the team’s pass rush with seven sacks.