Let the Games Begin

Tom Brady and the Pats get another crack at the Jets
 when New York comes to town Dec. 6 for MNF. 

Now that the dust has settled on the Patriots 45-24 Thanksgiving Day shellacking of the lowly Detroit Lions, it's officially time for New England fans to start preparing for the real feast ahead. Mark your calendars. Begin the countdown. A week from tomorrow the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS come to town.

Outside of the playoffs and, of course, the Super Bowl, this marquee matchup is as good as it gets for football fans. Not only do two of the league's best teams collide (both the Pats and Jets boast a 9-2 record), but the game will also receive the spotlight it rightfully deserves, appearing in primetime on Monday Night Football for all the world to see. In preparation for the heavyweight battle between the two hated rivals, here's a few storylines to keep in mind while patiently awaiting the kick-off...

1. The History- Ever since the old days of the AFL, the Patriots and Jets have hated each other. Dating back to 1960, the division rivals have met a total of 102 times, with the Jets holding a slight all-time series lead at 51-50-1. However, while the Patriots had dominated New York during the 2000s, winning 14 of the 21 games in which they played, the Jets have had New England's number lately, winning three of the last four matchups between the two teams.

2. The Revenge Factor- Aside from a no-show loss to the Cleveland Browns nearly a month ago, the one opponent standing in the way of the Patriots having a perfect record this season is the Jets. As if anyone needed reminding, the Jets manhandled the Pats at the New Meadowlands in Week 2, securing a 28-14 victory. To make things worse, after being blown out by the Ravens in the first round of the playoffs last season, the Patriots had to watch as the Jets made it all the way to the AFC Championship, a stage the Pats usually reserve for themselves.

3. Spygate- While the whistle-blower known as Eric Mangini is no longer the Jets head coach, don't think Bill Belichick has forgotten which franchise cost him $500,000 out of his own pocket in addition to surrendering a first round pick.

4. The Woodhead Twist- Before the diminutive Danny Woodhead became a folk hero around these parts, he was a little known, undrafted, free agent running back on the Jets practice squad. In the dog days of training camp, Woodhead was featured along with his Jets teammates on HBO's behind the scenes program Hard Knocks. As humiliating and devastating as being released is, Woodhead had to endure being cut from the team not behind closed doors, but instead on national television for the whole world to see his moment of agony. Think Danny comes into this game with a chip on his shoulder?

5. Offense vs. Defense- While the old adage goes that defense wins championships and offense puts fans in the seats, the old saying will be put to the test when New England's vaunted offense meets the Jets juggernaut defense. Coming into the game, the Patriots lead the league in scoring, averaging 30.4 points per game, while the Jets 4th ranked defense has allowed an average of just 17 points per game. Something's gotta give.

6. Streaking- The Patriots have won an astounding 25 straight games at home with Tom Brady under center, while the Jets have won eight straight regular season road games.

7. Personality-While Rex Ryan is a media darling, talking trash and making headlines like they're going out of style, Bill Belichick has never been one to show his cards or incite bulletin board material for an opponent to rally around. Instead of dressing up in a wig to get under his opponent's skin like Rex did a few weeks ago (Ryan was poking fun at twin brother Rob, the Cleveland Browns' defensive coordinator), Belichick instead chooses to kill his opponents with kindness, a strategy that has worked exquisitely during his reign as the Patriots coach. Rex is cocky, loud and brash. Belichick is cold, calculated and humble.

My Prediction: 34-27 Patriots. You heard it here first.