New York Jets at New England Patriots Preview

A press release from the league previewing the game is below.

It will be a rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional Playoff – won 28-21 by New York – when the Patriots host the Jets. New York has won two of the past three overall meetings and the Jets are 4-2 in their past six against New England. New

York quarterback MARK SANCHEZ threw three touchdown passes in the Divisional victory and running back SHONN GREENE rushed for one score.

"This is the team we have to beat," says Jets head coach REX RYAN about the defending AFC East champions.

Led by quarterback TOM BRADY, the Patriots have the NFL’s top passing (384.8 yards per game) and overall (507.5) offense. Brady leads the league in passing yards (1,553; the second-most by a player in his team’s first four games in NFL history) and 13 touchdowns. Last week, he threw two TD passes in New England’s win at Oakland and tied PEYTON MANNING for the longest streak with multiple touchdown passes in NFL history (13 games). Brady’s two TD passes give him 274 in his career and he passed Pro Football Hall of Famer JOE MONTANA (273) to move into ninth-place all-time.

"Every one of those touchdowns was important (in Week 4)," says Brady, "so it was fun."

Brady connected with wide receiver WES WELKER nine times for 158 yards and a score against the Raiders. Welker ranks first in the NFL in receptions (40), receiving yards (616) and scrimmage yards (635).

"We came on the road into a hostile environment and got a win," says Welker. "It’s a big win for us."