Vince Wilfork Still Has Faith In New England Patriots Entering New York Jets Showdown

The New England Patriots have lost two straight games, but defensive lineman Vince Wilfork still has faith entering a Week 10 rivalry showdown against the New York Jets.

"I think we have a good team here, I really do," Wilfork said. "We just have to work a little harder, especially now [with] 10-11 teams in the AFC [.500 or better]. Nothing is decided now. It's like we're starting at 0-0 right now."

The Patriots are in a three-way tie atop the AFC East at 5-3, which is why coach Bill Belichick has stressed the importance of playing like the team is 0-0.

With that in mind, Wilfork said the Patriots just need to wipe the slate clean and move forward.

"It's not tough. We just have to continue to believe in what we're doing," he answered. "I believe the last time we played the Jets, they were coming in on a two-game losing streak, on the road, and they ended up losing the game. But ever since then, they've turned it around and started playing better football. Now the tide has turned.

"... It says a lot about your team if you stick together and play together, and play good football. I think we can do that. It's not [like] we're getting blown out. It's just small things that lead to big things. If we clean those things up ... what we have in this locker room is what we have. This is what we're going to ride with it and we're going to die with.

"It's not always perfect, but when it's not perfect, what are you going to do? Are you mentally tough and will you handle your situation? Or will you just fold and just give in to the critics and give in to everyone that says we can't do it?

"I have faith in this team. I really do. I believe all of us are going to come to work and we're going to grind, and grind for one another. It starts on the practice field. We had a good day yesterday and now we need a better day today, and a better day Friday, and Saturday into Sunday. That's where we're at as a team."

-- For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page, or our blog Pats Pulpit.