Scouting the Jets

Sizing up the Jets at each position before Sunday's game with the Patriots.

QUARTERBACK

Mark Sanchez wasn't at his best against the Colts (18-of-31, 189 yards no touchdowns), but he did lead the team on that five-play, 40-yard game-winning drive. He's going to have to elevate his game and play much better than he has in his two prior appearances at Gillette Stadium so far.

RUNNING BACK

That 1-2 punch the Jets rode to last year's AFC Championship game showed up in a big way against the Colts in the wild-card round last week. LaDainian Tomlinson ran for 82 yards on 16 carries, and had two TDs, and Shonn Greene pounded out 70 yards. The Jets will need more of the same.

WIDE RECEIVER / TIGHT END

Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery all have come up with big plays this season. Edwards and Holmes combined for eight receptions for 108 yards vs. Indy, and were key on that final drive. Tight end Dustin Keller could be a big factor in helping get the ball quickly down the middle of the field.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Losing RT Damien Woody (torn left Achilles) is a blow. But Wayne Hunter started three games as Woody recovered from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, so he's not exactly stepping into an unknown. He must slide in seamlessly with D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Matt Slauson, Nick Mangold and Brandon Moore to pound away with the run game.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Shaun Ellis and Trevor Pryce, paired with the likes of Mike DeVito and Sione Pouha, are a big reason the Jets boast one of the league's top rushing defenses. They've yielded an average of 90.9 yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry, good enough to be ranked third in the NFL in both categories.

LINEBACKER

David Harris led the team in tackles with 119 and had three sacks during the regular season. Bart Scott recorded 94 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Jason Taylor, the active career sacks leader, has made a few impact plays as well. The Jets will need all three, plus Calvin Pace, to pressure Tom Brady.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Rex Ryan dressed 10 DBs for the Colts and will probably do the same thing Sunday. Having Darrelle Revis allows him to use special schemes that he wouldn't otherwise be able to do. Revis could be locked on Wes Welker, leaving Antonio Cromartie to be tested after his inflammatory comments about Brady this week.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Nick Folk drilled the winning kick against the Colts, and has his confidence back after a tough stretch in November. Punter Steve Weatherford will need to pin the Patriots as deep as possible to make them have to drive a long field. If returner Brad Smith (groin) can't go, then Cromartie is a capable backup.