Divisional Playoffs, Game Four: Patriots-Jets, Round Two, Part Two

Brace yourselves, America: the most epic, ground-shattering, gravity-defying, and mind-blowing playoff rivalry matchup of all time is about to take place on Sunday night.

At least, according to Rex Ryan and the Jets.

Should the Jets end up recreating the scenario that took place last time these two teams met, though, it will be anything but epic. The Jets were thoroughly embarrassed on December 6th, as the Patriots stockpiled a grand total of 45 points, to New York's 3. Tom Brady and his crew dominated the Jets in every category that day, outgaining the Jets' offense by a total of 405-301, and forcing three turnovers, courtesy of NY quarterback Mark Sanchez.

For obvious reasons, the Jets would like to avoid another embarrassing rout; one, because it would eliminate them from Super Bowl contention, and two, because it would just look that much more embarrassing after all the talking that both coach Rex Ryan and several members of the team have done this season. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie was heard referring to Brady in less-than-savory terms, and Ryan has repeatedly referred to the game as a personal duel between himself and opposing coach Bill Belichick, building on the sentiment he created last season when he stated that he had not come to NY to kiss Belichick's rings.

So what can the Jets do to improve?

Key number one is certainly to focus on getting LaDainian Tomlinson, Shonn Greene, and Joe McKnight to be more effective on the ground. In the Dec. 06 game, the three running backs combined for a total of 130 yards rushing. Not the kind of production a team looks for in their running game. Sure, it was enough to outgain the Patriots on the ground, but that hardly did any good in terms of keeping Tom Brady off of the field, which will be another key to defeating their longtime nemesis. The less time Brady has the ball in his hands, the less damage he can do. With the MVP-caliber season he's having (only 100 yards shy of 4,000 with 36 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions), and Jets safety Jim Leonhard out since the weeks prior to that December game, it will be that much more difficult for the defense to limit Brady's time on the field. Which makes it absolutely imperative that the trio of running backs executes more efficiently this time around. Not only that, but the more successful they are at running the ball, the more resources New England will have to devote to containing them, opening up more chances for Mark Sanchez to find Braylon Edwards or Santonio Holmes through the air downfield. Though it won't be a cakewalk, it's certainly not impossible against a defense that allowed 108 yards rushing and allowed the second-most passing yards per game (258).

New England, despite Brady's success, will have to focus on essentially the same area mentioned above. Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis has been effective for them this season after replacing Laurence Maroney, but he will have to be more than simply 'effective', or the team risks allowing the Jets to drop more defenders back to help Pro Bowl corners Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie in coverage. Brady's proven in the past that he's up to the challenge, but any sane NFL coach or coordinator will agree that they'd rather not have to face that sort of situation in the first place.

Sam's Prediction: Despite a valiant effort, and a big push from LaDainian Tomlinson in his quest for his first Super Bowl ring, the Jets are forced to eat crow as they falter once more against Bill Belichick's juggernaut. Final score: 38-21.