Comparing the New York Jets and the New England Patriots: Offense

Jun 17, 2014; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback

(7) talks to media during minicamp at Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

If the New York Jets are going to be able to get where we want them to go, there is one major key. The key is to win the AFC East. The Super Bowl can, and has been, obtained, but it is very difficult. So, winning the AFC East would be a major step in carving a path to the Super Bowl.

How do we do that? Well, we top the franchise that has won the AFC East since seemingly the beginning of time, the New England Patriots. So, let’s talk about how they stack up? Why not? They haven’t played a down yet, speculating about teams on paper makes the off-season go around, doesn’t it?

So, let’s compare the two teams on offense:

QUARTERBACK: TOM BRADY VS GENO SMITH/MICHAEL VICK: As much as I wish this was a topic worth debating, it isn’t. Michael Vick never was as good as Tom Brady. Geno Smith might get there, someday, but we all know that he isn’t there yet.

EDGE: PATRIOTS

RUNNING BACK: STEVAN RIDLEY/SHANE VEREEN/BRANDON BOLDEN VS CHRIS JOHNSON/CHRIS IVORY/BILAL POWELL: Both teams use the “Running Back by Committee” approach, so we are talking about the three main cogs of that group for each team. The Jets’ backs are better known, but the New England RB’s are quite talented as well, as all three averaged over four yards per carry in 2013. However, that is just as much a product of a good passing game as well as talented running backs. The Jets had a very inconsistent passing game but could run the ball with Ivory and Powell. Now adding Johnson to it, the Jets have taken over.

EDGE: JETS

WIDE RECEIVER: KENBRELL TOMPKINS/AARON DOBSON/JULIAN EDELMAN VS ERIC DECKER/JEREMY KERLEY/DAVID NELSON:

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Again to keep it even, we took three players at each position. The number one receiver position goes to the Jets with Eric Decker. The other players are fairly even, except for taking their quarterback into account. Dobson, Edelman, ..etc. are receivers that have become great based on their quarterback. Jeremy Kerley posts numbers, for example, despite the quarterback. For that reason, I bring a slight edge to the Gang Green, as odd as that might sound.

EDGE: JETS

TIGHT END: ROB GRONKOWSKI VS JACE AMARO: As of 2014, this isn’t close. Assuming Rob Gronkowski is healthy, which is a big assumption, we know he is all-world. Jace Amaro might be that good some day. He certainly has that potential. But going into to 2014, on paper, the position choice is obvious.

EDGE: PATRIOTS

We are going to skip discussion of the offensive line, since the Jets have several question marks amongst the group.

So, what do you think of the comparison? Agree? Disagree? Sound off below.