Patriots set to battle the Jets and Mother Nature

This Sunday, the New England Patriots are set to tangle with the New York Jets in what many have labeled, “Spy vs. Spy,” due to the recent news of the Jets filming a game at Gillette last season. They also hope to be the first team in NFL history to go 14-0 in a 16-game regular season. What it truely is, is a rematch from Week One between two division rivals, and two coaches who are very familiar with each other. The Patriots will also be battling the weather, as a major snow storm is set to hit Gillette by gametime. To make things clear, the conditions will not affect who wins and who loses. To paraphrase something Bill Belichick has said in the past, “They (the opposing team) had to play in the same conditions as we played in.” However, that being said, what it can affect is the Patriots’ gameplan and approach to the game. What it also can do is prevent the blowout that many have predicted (the Pats are favored by 24 points the last I heard) as points will be at a premium. The Patriots do have history on their side.
The Pats under Tom Brady are 9-0 in snowy games played at Gillette Stadium. Brady has performed magnificently in games with snow also and history suggests that the Pats aren’t afraid to throw the ball in inclement weather. †In the infamous “Snow Game” against the Raiders in 2001 (or the “Tuck Rule” game depending on how you view things), Brady was 32 of 52 for 312 yards and 1 INT.†52 passing attempts in those conditions is an amazing stat considering 99% of teams prefer to run when the white stuff is falling. In 2003 against the Miami Dolphins, when Gillette was covered in snow and fans had to dig their seats out, Brady was an efficient 16/31 for 163 yards. The key stat I’m trying to point out is the high number of attempts: 31. The Patriots are not afraid to throw it, but the actual completion percentage may suffer. Aside from the snow, another factor, and possibly more important, is the heavy winds. As seen 2 weeks ago†in Baltimore, the wind took Tom Brady’s passes off target or kept them in the air for too long. If the Patriots are hell-bent on throwing, look for more short passes and screens, similar to the game last week against Pittsburgh. This time, however, it will be to combat Mother Nature’s blitz, not that of the Jets.
For the Patriots to win on Sunday, they basically have to not beat themselves. The Jets cannot matchup man-for-man with the Patriots’ offense or defense. If the wind blows their way, the Jets may be able to get some turnover opportunities, which they will have to turn into touchdowns to be competitive. Getting turnovers off the Patriot offense is no easy task, as they are first in the league in turnover difference, with only 10 giveaways. For a more detailed gameplan on how the Jets can win, check out Joe Caporoso’s article over at MVN’s The Cockpit. Randy Moss dominated Jets rookie CB Darelle Revis in Week One and shouldn’t have too much trouble once again, weather conditions notwithstanding. We may see more from the running game, but an actual 20-30†carry game from the stable of backs is not in the forcast. The Patriots were able to practice in snowy conditions on Thursday and should be ready to go with the passing attack Sunday.
Besides the obvious “Spygate” business, there are other subplots ton Sunday’s game. Tom Brady is†four touchdown passes away from passing Dan Marino and tying Peyton Manning’s single season record, and five away from breaking the record. It would take an amazing effort to break or tie the record this week due to the weather, but I do expect 2-3 TD passes as he inches closer to the mark. Look for Brady to break the record next week at home against the winless Dolphins, a game I will be lucky enough to be in attendance for. Also, Randy Moss is 3 TD catches away from tying Jerry Rice’s single season record of 22, and 4 away from breaking it. Again, I’m expecting the record to be broken next week (maybe more so hoping so I can be there to witness it).
It will take a perfect and complete game from the Jets to win Sunday, something I feel they are just not capable of doing. Rookie QB Kellen Clemens will not be able to overcome the Pats’ defense or the weather. Thomas Jones has a chance to do some damage on the ground, but that is the Jets’ best hope, and he has been a disappointment thus far. Snow, rain, or sunshine, Pats win 27-3.