I'm hard pressed remembering a Divisional Round Weekend featuring so many great games. This year's NFL playoffs got off to a fantastic start last weekend, and at least on paper, this coming weekend promises to be even better. There's an argument to be made that the Steelers and Ravens constitute the best rivalry in the NFL today, but there's no question in my mind that Sunday's showdown between the Patriots and Jets is the most intriguing match up of the weekend.
Let's continue the preview coverage leading up to the big game with some information on the two rivals' long-standing history, game notes, and final regular season stats for both squads.
NEW YORK JETS-AFC EAST (12-5) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS-AFC EAST (14-2)
SERIES
|
|
JETS |
PATRIOTS |
|
LEADER (REG. SEASON) |
51-49-1 |
|
|
STREAKS (REG. SEASON) |
3 of past 5 |
|
|
COACHES VS. OPP. (REG. & POSTSEASON) |
Ryan: 2-2 |
Belichick: 16-9 |
|
COACHES PLAYOFF RECORD |
3-1 |
15-5 |
|
VS. COMMON OPP. (REG. SEASON) |
NYJ: 8-4 (Bal. 0-1, Buf. 2-0, Chi. 0-1, Cin. 1-0, Cle. 1-0, Det. 1-0, GB 0-1, Mia. 1-1, Min. 1-0, Pit. 1-0) NE: 11-1 (Bal. 1-0, Buf. 2-0, Chi. 1-0, Cin. 1-0, Cle. 0-1, Det. 1-0, GB 1-0, Mia. 2-0, Min. 1-0, Pit. 1-0) |
|
|
PLAYOFF RECORD |
11-12 |
21-14 |
|
LAST WEEK |
W 17-16 at Colts |
Bye (Wk. 17: W 38-7 vs. Dolphins) |
|
LAST GAME (REG. SEASON) |
12/6/10: Jets 3 at Patriots 45. New England QB Tom Brady passes for 326 yards & 4 TDs as Pats score 45 points in consecutive weeks. |
|
|
LAST GAME AT SITE (REG. SEASON) |
12/6/10 |
|
|
LAST PLAYOFF |
1/7/07: Jets 16 at Patriots 37. Brady throws 2 TDs & New England CB Asante Samuel has 36-yard INT-TD as Patriots beat New York in Wild Card round. |
|
|
BROADCAST |
CBS (4:30 PM ET): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms. Westwood One Radio: Kevin Harlan, Randy Cross, Kevin Kiley (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 124 (WW1), 125 (NYJ), 123 (NE). XM: 124 (WW1), 103 (NYJ), 102 (NE). |
|
REGULAR SEASON STAT LEADERS
|
PASSING |
Sanchez: 278-507-3,291-17-13-75.3 |
Brady: 324-492-3,900-36 (1L)-4-111.0 (1L) |
|
RUSHING |
Tomlinson: 219-914-4.2-6 |
Green-Ellis: 229-1,008-4.4-13 (T2L) |
|
RECEIVING |
Keller (TE): 55-687-12.5-5 |
Welker: 86 (T2C)-848-9.9-7 |
|
OFFENSE |
351.0 |
363.8 |
|
TAKE/GIVE |
+9 (T3C) |
+28 (1L) |
|
DEFENSE |
291.5 (3L) |
366.5 |
|
SACKS |
Thomas: 6 |
Wright: 5.5 |
|
INTs |
Cromartie, Lowery: 3 |
McCourty (R): 7 (T2L) |
|
PR |
Wilson: 7.4 |
Edelman: 15.3 (1C) |
|
KR |
B. Smith: 28.6 (2L) |
Tate: 25.8 (3C) |
|
PUNTING |
Weatherford: 42.6 |
Mesko (R): 43.2 |
|
KICKING |
Folk: 127 (3C) (37/37 PAT; 30/39 FG) |
Graham: 75 (39/41 PAT; 12/12 FG) |
For more Pats coverage and fan discussion, head on over to Pats Pulpit.