Betting Overview: The NFL betting world is getting exactly what the NFL predictions said they would get out of the New England Patriots. The Patriots are one of the best teams in football and, with a 9-2 record, they are in line to get home field advantage throughout the playoffs. They are doing it with an undersized offense and an under-achieving defense. This is not the powerhouse Patriots team that has won three Super Bowls in the past. This is a patchwork team that seems to be working out just fine. The New York Jets told everyone that the NFL scores will prove the Jets to be the best team in football. So far, the Jets have been right. The Jets offense is unpredictable but, for the most part, effective. Quarterback Mark Sanchez is developing into a leader but he is still being kept as a game manager for now. The Jets defense is hard to run or throw against, and that makes the Jets one difficult team to play. Offense: The Patriots have the unlikeliest group of wide receivers and running backs anyone has ever seen. But quarterback Tom Brady is turning them all into all-pro players. Wes Welker is no higher than 5’9” tall, yet he remains one of the most prolific pass receivers in the league. Brady not only finds his favorite target on a regular basis, he finds him in a crowd of defenders that are much taller than Welker. The running back job has all but been given to 5’8” tall Danny Woodhead. He first gained fame as being part of the Jets HBO “Hard Knocks” show. But the Jets cut him, and now he stars as the main running back for the New England Patriots. The Jets cut Danny Woodhead because of Ladainian Tomlinson. LT has had a resurgence in New York, and he has helped to carry the load on the ground for the Jets. In the air, the Jets have Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes. It almost doesn’t seem fair, especially when you watch the accelerated development of quarterback Mark Sanchez into a leader. He is using all of his offensive pieces to perfection this year, and head coach Rex Ryan is even letting Sanchez throw the deep ball this season. Defense: If there is a weakness on this Patriots team it is the defensive secondary. The defensive backs are young and make a lot of mistakes. Up front, the Patriots defense is able to stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback. Jason Taylor is having an excellent season and has become one of the premier pass rushers for the New England defense. But that secondary has cost the Patriots points and even a game this season. They are getting better, but they are still young. The San Diego Chargers have the top-ranked defense in the league, but the New York Jets have the most intimidating defense in the league. The Jets front seven is able to stuff the run and disrupt the passing game of any team. This defense knows Tom Brady, and it was able to stop Brady in the first game these two teams played. With Darelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie in the secondary, Brady may have no place to go. The Bottom Line: This will be a good game, but the Jets just seem to have the Patriots number this season. This game will decide who takes the lead in the AFC East. If the Jets win, it will give the Jets the season sweep of the Patriots and the upper hand with the tie breakers at the end of the season. Pick: New York Jets
