The New York Jets haven’t been incredibly overwhelming on offense this season. But the New England Patriots have been incredibly underwhelming on defense.
New England (5-3) boasts the NFL’s worst defense, giving up 437.2 yards a game. Its run defense has been middle-of-the-pack, but the Patriots have given up 325.6 yards a game through the air, which is deplorable.
Still, the Jets (5-3) have gotten back to more of a run-first mentality the last few games and should stick to it, as they’ve won three straight. While the Patriots will give quarterback Mark Sanchez plenty of opportunities through the air, a consistent dosage of running back Shonn Greene will move New York down the field and keep the Patriots’ second-ranked offense off of it.
Sanchez threw two touchdowns to no picks in New York’s 30-21 loss to New England earlier in the year, and he had a three-touchdown, no-interception ratio when the Jets beat the Patriots in the Divisional Round of the AFC playoffs last season.
Greene has improved as the season has gone on, and his rise in play began in Foxborough, as he rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown. Greene picked up 76 yards and a score last year in New York’s playoff victory over New England.
While the Patriots have had a tough time getting Sanchez off his game as of late, Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington is tied for the NFL's interception lead with five picks. New England would like him -- or anyone on the defense -- to get something done against New York.
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