Patriots vs Jets: 3 keys to victory for New York

For the Patriots vs Jets game, here are three keys for Gang Green to leave the final home game of the season victorious.

Oct 25, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Michael Williams (85) is tackled by New York Jets inside linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Tomorrow, the 9-5 Jets host their 12-2 divisional rival Patriots in a must-win game in terms of playoff hopes. If Gang Green loses this contest, they’re all but mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. The only chance the Jets would have with a loss would be if Denver drops their final two games at home to the Bengals and Chargers. That, of course, is very unlikely.

The good news for New York is that they’re red hot. Even though they barely took care of a weak Cowboys team last Saturday, they’ve won four straight games and look better than they have all year. The defense came up huge forcing four turnovers, while the offense found a way to score points despite failing to establish a run game. This week will be a much tougher task against the best team in the AFC, but you have to like what you see from the Jets as of late.

On the other hand, the Patriots have looked just as good if not better. After losing back to back close games to the Broncos and Eagles, Bill Belichick’s group has really turned a corner. The Pats handled a talented Texans team 27-6 on the road and followed that game up with a win over the Titans 33-16. Tom Brady and the offense simply continues to roll by feeding the unstoppable Rob Gronkowski week in and week out.

Looking at this game on paper, New England is still the favorite to win this game despite how banged up they are. They’ve won games without Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola in the past, so the very same can happen tomorrow. With Brady under center anything is possible and the Jets will always face an uphill battle.

Here are three things Gang Green can do to pull off an upset.

Next: 3. Pressure Tom Brady

Dec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass against the Tennessee Titans in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Titans 33-16. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

3. Pressure Tom Brady

The biggest key in taking down the Pats is putting pressure on ‘Tom Terrific.’ Given the fact that New England has an inept offensive line and ground game, all they’ll be doing is throwing the ball. Brady threw the ball 54 times in the Week 7 matchup completing 34 of those passes for 355 yards and two touchdowns. The Jets defense had no answer for Gronkowski who caught 11 balls for 104 yards and a touchdown to essentially put the game on ice.

Last week against Tennessee, the Pats had just 93 yards rushing on 26 carries. The combination of Brandon Bolden and Joey Iosefa underperformed against a Titans front-seven that is relatively below average with the exception of Jurrell Casey. With that being said, the loss of LeGarette Blount for the remainder of the season could end up being a crushing blow to the Pats offense that now needs Brady to carry the entire load.

As a result, you can expect the coach Todd Bowles to stack the box, but for blitzing purposes. Just because the run game is not existent doesn’t mean the Jets should drop everyone back in coverage. When you give a quarterback like Brady time, he will find a way to move the ball downfield. It doesn’t matter who he’s throwing to. If the Jets don’t continue to blitz like they have all season, Brady could light up them up yet again.

Next: 2. Contain James White

Dec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back James White (28) runs the ball against Tennessee Titans cornerback Coty Sensabaugh (24) in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Titans 33-16. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

2. Contain James White

While New York needs to heavily blitz Brady, they need to keep the threat of James White in mind. If the Jets happen to blitz and leave White open on a check down or screen, it will go for huge yardage every time. Even when they don’t blitz, wheel routes have proven to be Gang Green’s Achilles heel on the defensive side of the ball. The Jets’ linebackers and safeties have to have their heads up when White is on the field. He is way too similar to Shane Vereen.

When Vereen was a Patriot, he hurt New York often. In last year’s matchup on Thursday night in Week 7, he caught a 49-yard touchdown on the first drive. Of course, he was also the one who kickstarted the Jets’ meltdown on Thanksgiving in 2012 taking a pass in the flats 83 yards to the house. That play was followed by the infamous ‘butt-fumble’ and McKnight fumbled kickoff. In a Patriots uniform, Vereen had a total of nine catches for 184 yards and three touchdowns against the Jets.

With how talented White is, it’s a head-scratcher why the Pats don’t run the ball with him. Vereen was used a bit as a runner, why not use the same way? Regardless, wherever he is on the field, the Jets must have eyes on him at all times. With no Edelman and Amendola along with banged up Chandler and LaFell, he may be Brady’s top target other than Gronkowski. If New York happens to miss tackles and/or blow assignments, White should have no problem toasting them like Vereen did.

Next: 1. Lean on the 'Big 3'

Dec 19, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

1. Lean on the ‘Big 3’

With how good Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Chris Ivory have been all season, it’s tough to change the game plan offensively if you’re the Jets. Factor in Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s play over this four-game stretch and you have a high-powered offense. Marshall battled cramps throughout last week’s contest against Dallas and still managed to haul in four passes for 74 yards. He didn’t put up the same numbers he’s posted throughout the year, but he still gave the Jets needed production.

Assuming things go well, Decker will eclipse 1,000 yards for his first time as a Jet. As Marshall’s partner in crime, Decker’s had himself a great 2015 campaign racking up 930 yards on 72 catches with 10 touchdowns. Since Malcolm Butler will cover Marshall for most of the game, expect Decker to be targeted plenty. Marshall will still have himself a great game, but Butler has been solid all year. Nonetheless, look for Decker to get his usual 70+ yards and touchdown in Sunday’s action.

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Ivory is the guy who needs to step up and offensive coordinator Chan Gailey should not be shy in using him. He didn’t play well against the Pats in Week 7, but their front-seven will soften up the more Fitzpatrick airs it out. In the red-zone specifically, Gang Green has to be smarter in picking up first downs on 3rd and short using Ivory. Against a team like New England, you have to execute. Throw an extra tight end on the line and feed the beast in short yardage situations.