Here we are for the second week of the NFL season. The Jets will be opening up at home against the Patriots for the third year in a row. The Patriots have gotten the better of the Jets the past two times. The Jets are hoping that the third time's a charm to get a win. That charm may have been Bernard Pollard, who, as you all know, knocked Tom Brady out for the season. I won't say this is a must win for either team because it is too early in the season (and both have very favorable schedules down the road), but it is a big game for the confidence of the players on both sides.
The Patriots are coming off an impressive victory against the Chiefs. Matt Cassel was very efficient coming in for the injured Brady, which included a 98-yard drive capped off with a touchdown to Randy Moss. The question now is, will there be any change in the offensive game plans now that Matt Cassel is running the show. I think that the Patriots will run the ball more since they are really deep at the running back position with Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan, and getting Kevin Faulk back from suspension. These guys have the ability to carry the offense and sustain drives, which will ease in Cassel in his first start since high school.
Players and coaches from the Jets have been saying that the Patriots are still the team to beat in the AFC East. They still might be, but one thing is for sure, the Jets have to be excited that there really is an opportunity for them to take over the division this year. The Jets defense was impressive last week holding the Dolphins to a total of 49 yards rushing. The defense also recorded four sacks and got plenty of pressure on Chad Pennington. With that being said, the Jets will have to get pressure on Cassel and force him to make bad throws.
The Jets haven't won the division since 2002, and this Sunday could be their real first step toward winning the division.
Prediction: Jets 23, Pats 17
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