PICK FOR 11/12

Not many people are expecting the Jets to beat the Patriots today. I am. My reasons today come in threes. Here are the reasons no one thinks the Jets can win - 1) Tom Brady had an awful game against the Colts last week (one of the worst of his career), and he doesn't have back-to-back bad games. 2) The Patriots don't lose back-to-back games. 3) The Pats have beaten the Jets seven straight times.

Here's why I think the Jets can win:
1) The Jets should have a sour taste in their mouths from the disappointing showing against Cleveland before their bye, and should use that as motivation today. 2) For the Jets to make the post-season, they will need to win the division - they are not getting a wild card. For the Jets to win the division, they need to win this game. 3) Their coaching staff should have been able to learn from the first loss to New England this season, and should be able to come in with a game plan to win.

Here's what the Jets need to do to win:
1) Score first. They can't afford to let the Patriots march right down the field and take an early lead - the Jets have been coming from behind too much this season. 2) Pressure Tom Brady. They need to get to the quarterback, something they haven't done all season, and make sure he's not beating them (that still leaves the ground game...which the Jets haven't been able to stop all year - make stopping the ground game reason 2-and-a-half). 3) Don't make mistakes. The Patriots are opportunistic. The Jets need to protect the ball, and take advantage of whatever opportunities come their way.

I look at number 1 as the most important today. If the Jets can't come right down and score first, the best they can do is prevent the Patriots from scoring early. If the Jets get out of the first quarter (which has been horrendous for them) still tied 0-0, they have a shot. I say Jets, 27-17, because a win over the Patriots is overdue.