ALTHOUGH IT IS THE SEASON OF GIVING, THE PATRIOTS WILL NEED TO EARN THEIR VICTORY AGAINST THE JETS

If you just looked at both teams' records you might assume that today's game between the New England Patriots and New York Jets was going to be an easy victory for Bill Belichick and his team.  Knowing the recent history of both teams it has potential to be a tight game.

The fact that the Patriots will be without Julian Edelman and LeGarrette Blount does make this game more difficult for the Patriots' offense.  Hopefully Brady doesn't try to force the ball to Rob Gronkowski and instead shows some faith in guys like LaFell and Wright.  As usual, it would benefit the team if Josh McDaniels would use an abundance of play action to keep the Jets' defense honest.  Although they give up just under 26 points per game and can't get off the field on third downs, the Jets don't give up a lot of yards on the ground.  They also are one of the better teams at getting to the quarterback.  

For as good as the Jets are at stopping the run, they are even better at running the ball.  Of course being the Jets, they may gain a lot of yards and have possession of the ball for an abundance of time, but they don't punch it into the endzone very often.  Assuming the Patriots don't give them a short field or have an untimely turnover, the usual bend but don't break defense will work just fine.

Without Edelman being on the field today, Danny Amendola will need to be the man on special teams.  Punting for the Jets is former Boston College Eagle, Ryan Quigley.  While Quigley is no Ryan Allen, he has been very consistent in his two years playing for the Jets.  In my opinion, Amendola should just be careful and consistent fielding punts today.  Trying to be a hero and making a mistake or getting injured is not what the Patriots need heading into the postseason.  

While everyone is expecting some trickery from Rex today, I wouldn't be shocked to see something out of the ordinary from the Patriots.  

The Patriot players I'm expecting big games from today are Vince Wilfork, Chandler Jones and Devin McCourty.     

If you just looked at both teams' records you might assume that today's game between the New England Patriots and New York Jets was going to be an easy victory for Bill Belichick and his team.  Knowing the recent history of both teams it has potential to be a tight game.