NFL GAME ODDS

New York Jets vs. New England Patriots

This week the NFL playoffs begin this week with one team that was supposed to be here and one that wasn't. The Patriots are in the playoffs again as everyone expected as tom Brady will be gunning for his 4th Super Bowl ring. The fact that the Jets are in the playoffs is a surprise as they took advantage of a weak second half schedule to sneak in. The interesting subplot of the game is the teacher against the pupil with Eric Mangini coaching against his mentor Bill Bellicheck. Both teams are pretty even in the major categories per game of total yards, passing yards, and rushing yards. This will be a game where the Jets will have to stop the run to have a chance. This could be a game that will be closer than many people think, especially if the Jets can stop the run, as the Patriots haven't played like their dominant selves and the Jets have overachieved.

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The Jets are led by quarterback Chad Pennington, 3352 yds 17 TD's as he had to win his job back in training camp with his surgically repaired shoulder. He has come back big this season playing very well. In order to protect Pennington the offensive line and especially rookie offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson has to play well. The Jets feature a rushing tandem of Leon Washington, 650 yds 4 TD's and Cedric Houston, 374 yds 5 TD's which has to gain some yards against the Patriots defense which is ranked 6th in the league with their opponents averaging under 100 rushing yards per game. If Pennington is given time he has two big time receivers with Laveranues Cole, 91 catches 1098 yds 6 TD's and Jericho Cotchery, 82 catches 961 yds 6 TD's even though Jets offense is only ranked 25th in the NFL. The Jets defense is ranked 20th in the league and will have to stop the rushing game of the Patriots to have a chance forcing Tom Brady and the Patriots sub-par receiving corps to beat them.

The Patriots are once again led by quarterback Tom Brady, 3529 yds 24 TD's, but this time around his receiving corps is not strong and they rely on the rushing game for their 11th ranked offense. If Cory Dillion 812 yds 13 TD's and Laurence Maroney, 745 yds 6 TD's can rush for many yards and pick up a lot of first downs it could be a long game for the Jets. The Patriots 6th rated defense has a good defensive line and has a tough secondary, ranked 11th in the League against the pass, as Asante Samuel is ended the year second in interceptions with 8. If the Patriots can stop the run and force Pennington to beat them with the deep ball they will win this game. The Patriots just hope it does not come down to a field goal as they do not have the playoff automatic Adam Vinatieri on the team as he bolted for Indianapolis. The Jets showed that they are a team to be reckoned with in the future but unfortunately for them the future is not this Sunday.

Game Pick New England -9