Lead writer Nick St. Denis and AFC East Daily contributors Dan Begnoche and Sean Donovan pick the Thanksgiving divisional slugfest between the New England Patriots and New York Jets.
Nick's take:
Ah... Thanksgiving dinner, beer and Jets vs. Patriots. Few things are better. Rex Ryan will have Gang Green ready, and the Jets will divide their rushing attempts evenly between Bilal Powell and Shonn Greene, which keeps the offensive backfield fresh and the Patriots' ridiculous offense off the field a little longer. New England's defense, however, will make its usual game-changing turnover in the fourth quarter to edge New York.
Prediction: Patriots 30, Jets 27
Sean's take:
The Jets are coming off their most complete performance in quite a while but will need much more to overcome the AFC East juggernaut Patriots. Mark Sanchez played well in a close game earlier this season in an overtime loss in New England but will struggle on Thanksgiving night. The Pats go up early and stick it to their rival in a lopsided victory.
Prediction: Patriots 45, Jets 10
Dan's take:
Though the Pats lose tight end Rob Gronkowski, they regain Aaron Hernandez, which is nearly as good for an offense that can do no wrong. While the passing game may not be as potent, the running game sure will be, and expect Stevan Ridley and New England's slew of backs to have a field day early against the Jets' porous rush defense. Turnovers, particularly from the New York side, will be the key here though, and New York could easily make this a game if Sanchez continues his success from last week and keeps the ball out of the hands of the takeaway-crazed Patriots defense.
Prediction: Patriots 34, Jets 20
