WHO’LL BLINK? JETS GOOD ON ROAD, PATS GOOD AT HOME
The skinny: It’s a bit of a surprise that a head coach with a defensive background has been a thorn in Bill Belichick’s side, but the Jets’ Rex Ryan has certainly been that for the Patriots over the last two seasons.
The Jets are 2-1 against the Patriots in Ryan’s tenure, including New York’s 28-14 win earlier this season. Jets QB Mark Sanchez threw for three TD passes in that Sept. 19 game. The Jets also have won eight consecutive road games, dating to last season.
The Patriots, however, have won 14 consecutive home games in December.
The difference will be: If the Patriots’ defense, which has allowed piles of yardage all season — it’s 31st in yards allowed per game — can continue to limit teams in the red zone. New England is 22nd in scoring defense.
That’s been enough for Tom Brady to overcome most weeks, but Ryan’s defense isn’t most defenses. The varied fronts and the constant pressure have unsettled even Brady at times.
So it’s incumbent on the Patriots’ own defense to keep the Jets’ offense from pounding away.
The call: Jets 30-28
Jeff Legwold, The Denver Post
