Week 5 NFL Picks on CBS: NY Jets @ New England Patriots Odds and Predictions – Sunday Free NFL Picks 10/9/11

Week 5 Free NFL Picks: NY Jets @ New England Patriots NFL Week 5 Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on CBS 10/9/11: One of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL will be renewed this Sunday when the New York Jets (2-2) visit Foxboro to take on the New England Patriots (3-1). Last season, the Jets did more than their fair share of trash talking and backed it up by knocking the Patriots out of the playoffs, even though New England won the AFC East during the regular season. The two teams will likely be contenders for the division title once again, but the Patriots are 7 ½-point favorites in this weekend’s meeting.

Despite having Super Bowl aspirations entering the season, the Jets have a lot of question marks entering Sunday’s game. Rex Ryan has taken New York to back-to-back AFC Championship Games by running the ball on offense and stopping the run on defense. However, the Jets have been gashed by opposing running backs the last two weeks and haven’t been able to run the ball all season. On the heels of a Mark Sanchez turnover fest against Baltimore, Ryan has gone on the record saying New York will go back to pounding the ball. Whether or not the Jets are successful will likely determine their success the rest of the way.

The Jets won’t necessarily have to worry about stopping the run this weekend, but they will have to figure out how to slow down Ton Brady and the Patriots’ passing attack. Brady is on pace to shatter several receiving records, and receiver Wes Welker has already caught 40 passes for more than 600 yards. The Patriots also have the best tight end duo in the NFL with Aaron Hernandez is set to return from injury and join Rob Gronkowski. Throw in receiver Deion Branch, and Brady has enough weapons to spread out any defense.

Inside the battle between the Patriots’ passing attack and the Jets defense will be the matchup of Welker against cornerback Darrelle Revis. Revis is regarded as the top cover corner in the game, but he doesn’t typically line up against a team’s slot receiver. If Revis can somehow slow down Welker, it will be interesting to see of the Patriots’ offense suffers. At the very least, taking away Brady’s favorite target should give the Jets’ pass rush a chance to put some pressure on Brady as he looks for other options.

While New England has put plenty of points on the board this year, the defense hasn’t exactly been stout. The Jets will have to take advantage because it is hard to imagine knocking off Tom Brady and company with scoring in the 30-point range. Running back Shonn Greene will have his best chance to date to establish the New York ground game, which should open up the play-action passing game for Sanchez. The Jets have proven time and time again that they aren’t at their best when Sanchez is throwing the ball 40 times a game.

The Revis factor will be an interesting twist, but the Patriots offense has shown no signs of slowing down any time soon. Meanwhile, the Jets offensive line has shown no signs of putting it together despite having plenty of talent. Even though rivalry games tend to bring out the best in teams, the Jets just aren’t playing well enough right now to be considered serious threats. Throw in the fact that the Bill Belichick will be looking for a bit of revenge after the playoff loss last year, and Brady will likely be putting up points well into the fourth quarter as the Patriots pull away.

Prediction: New England Patriots (-7 ½) Cover the Spread

Free NFL Football Picks and Predictions: New England -7.5

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