Biggest Game of Second Quarter 2012 for the New York Jets

June 14, 2012; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) throws a pass during minicamp at the Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

Friday, we took a look at the biggest game in the first quarter of 2012 for the Jets here.

Today, we take a look at the biggest game for the Jets in the second quarter of the season, and we didn’t have to look very hard to make our choice.

Week 7 at the New England Patriots

There are a lot of reasons to choose this one, first and foremost, it’s the Patriots. They have been like the Jets kryptonite to many a Jets season. We have come up against them many times in big spots and come up empty during the regular season. Does 45-3 resound in anyone else’s head? It does mine. Simply for the fact that we have had trouble with these guys during the regular season on the road makes it a big game.

As much as Rex has changed, you know that there will be talk prior to this game. If not from the coach, you will hear from some of the players. It’s in their blood, they can’t just top. This one is always a big one for the rivalry, as this rivalry has almost topped Red Sox vs Yankees, in my opinion.

This may also be a spot that serves as a crossroads for the Jets season.

The Jets have games against the Steelers, Texans and 49ers in the first 6 weeks of the season. Even being a cockeyed optimist, you can’t rule out the possibility that the Jets will come into this game at 3-3. The Jets come into a softer few weeks after that game, and 4-3 is a much better position to be in than 4-3. Yes it’s only one game, but that one game can make a big difference in an always tight AFC playoff race.

The game could loom quite large.

This one will be a major benchmark for Mark Sanchez as well. As much of a spark that Tim Tebow could be in weeks prior, he will not be a factor in this one. Even when he was on his run with the Denver Broncos, the New England Patriots made him look like the inferior quarterback he is. If he is any type of factor in this game I will be surprised.

So it will be on Mark Sanchez. The “Ground and Pound” will be in full swing, but as we have learned, Tony Sparano puts emphasis on the big play as well. This game will give us as good of a sense as we will get as to where Mark is with the offense, and with his receivers.

As usual, games against New England are huge. This one in week 7 may be bigger than most.

For the offense, for the season, it will be big. I can’t wait.