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Patriots host Jets in battle for first place in AFC East

Nov 11, 2008 - 3:16 PM NY Jets (6-3) at New England (6-3), Thursday, 8:15 pm EDT

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- Every matchup between the New England Patriots and New York Jets has always seemed to generate a substantial amount of heat.

However, the latest story line contains a bit more spice since the two division rivals duke it out for sole possession of first place in the AFC East on Thursday.

"It's a great position to be in, to be a division leader at this point," Jets coach Eric Mangini said. "To me, what I'm excited about is playing two games like we played where there was consistency, where there was complementary football, where we minimized turnovers, where we've been able to minimize mistakes, generate turnovers and run the ball effectively. Those things excite me.

"I understand the environment that we're going into. I understand the team that we're playing against. It's a good opportunity for us. Maximizing our prep is really my focus right now."

Since their 17-14 victory in New England on November 12, 2006, the Jets have lost four consecutive games to the Patriots.

When the teams met earlier this season, the Patriots cruised to a 19-10 win as quarterback Matt Cassel efficiently ran the offense in his first NFL start one week after Tom Brady suffered a season-ending injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week One.

Cassel completed 16-of-23 attempts for 165 yards and was not intercepted, but failed to throw a touchdown pass. Sammy Morris ran for a touchdown and Stephen Gostkowski kicked four field goals as New England won its 21st straight regular-season game, and beat the Jets for the eighth straight time at the Meadowlands.

Brett Favre went 18-of-26 for 181 yards and a touchdown for the Jets, but the Patriots took advantage of a big mistake by the veteran in his first home game with the team.

In a key spot, Favre ran out of the pocket to his left and flung a pass to Chansi Stuckey for 28 yards. Three plays later, though, Favre was picked off by Brandon Meriweather - his first interception with the Jets. That eventually led to Morris' score to make it 13-3 late in the third quarter.

Favre has been rather erratic this season, throwing 12 interceptions to nearly negate his 16 touchdown passes.

"I don't think (the Jets offense is) doing as much shifting and motioning," Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "I think (Favre) is just out there just playing and taking what the defense give him. They are running the football really well. He doesn't have to. You see one week where he throws it 40 times and one week it is 19 or 20. I think they are really balanced."

Favre did not have to do much in New York's 47-3 drubbing of the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. Thomas Jones ran for 149 yards and three touchdowns as the Jets rolled to the largest margin of victory in franchise history. Their previous biggest win was a 45-3 decision over Houston in 1988.

They also improved to 7-0 when Jones scores a touchdown, and his teams have won 14 straight games when he reaches the end zone.

"It's potent," Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs said of the Jets' offense. "Those guys have an explosive team. They have so many good skill players across the board on offense and defense. You don't necessarily have to design things for them. They are that good, as far as athletic skill and skill players, that they can make plays themselves."

The Jets have won three straight and five of six, with the only blemish a 16-13 overtime loss at Oakland three weeks ago.

A strong offensive effort was somewhat overshadowed by another impressive defensive showing. New York had two interceptions and three fumble recoveries, including Calvin Pace's 50-yard touchdown return.

New England also is coming off an impressive win, defeating the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills, 20-10, on Sunday. Rookie running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for 105 yards and a touchdown - his first career 100-yard rushing game - and was supported by a strong outing from Wes Welker.

Welker recorded 10 receptions, becoming the first player in NFL history to record at least six receptions in each of the first nine games to start a season.

Showing immense improvement from the second week of the season, Cassel completed 23-of-34 passes for 234 yards and helped the Patriots win for the third time in four tries.

Mangini, a former assistant coach with the Patriots, is not at all surprised of New England's success while learning to play without Brady.

"No, not at all," Mangini said. "I've been part of a lot of teams there where we've had multiple injures and a lot of different people go down, and other people step up and fill the role. Understanding what role you play and how you can maximize that role, it's all fundamentally part of that system. I didn't anticipate there being a significant drop-off because it is a very efficient system that has been proven over time, and it continues to be very efficient."

Despite the win, the Patriots lost a key contributor on defense. Linebacker Adalius Thomas reportedly suffered a broken left forearm in the first half and likely will miss the rest of the year.

The Jets, meanwhile, gained another asset this week by signing former Patriot cornerback Ty Law to a one-year contract.