Normally when a team prepares for an opponent, the film study is concentrated on the previous five games because things change so much during the course of the season.
The Patriots were likely no exception when they studied for the Jets in anticipation for tonight’s megasized “Monday Night Football’’ game at Gillette Stadium.
But the Patriots went a little outside the norm when they concentrated on the Jets’ loss to the Packers (five games ago) and a close victory over the Broncos (six).
“Quite a bit,’’ quarterback Tom Brady said, when asked how much of the Green Bay game he studied. “Quite a bit.’’
“And we watched a lot of Broncos,’’ receiver Deion Branch said.
The reason?
The Packers and Broncos most closely resemble the Patriots on both sides of the ball than any other Jets opponents.
It didn’t hurt that both gave New York fits on offense and defense.
The Jets needed two touchdowns in the final eight minutes to beat former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and the Broncos, 24-20, at Invesco Field Oct. 17.
The Packers went into New Meadowlands Stadium Oct. 31 — after the Jets’ bye week — and posted an impressive 9-0 victory. It was the last time New York tasted defeat.
The biggest lesson learned?
Hold Jets running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene to fewer than 100 yards combined and make quarterback Mark Sanchez beat you.
“I thought it started with stopping the run,’’ Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. “I think Sanchez is still a young quarterback and I think they’ve got a very good offensive line and two very good running backs. They have another guy in Brad Smith that really gives them versatility in their offense. Their receivers have the ability to make plays and probably the underrated guy is [Dustin] Keller, the tight end, because he can make vertical plays and becomes a little bit of a matchup problem for you.
“But I think you have to stop the run because when they can run the ball and run their play-action pass game, then it makes them doubly tough to stop. Sanchez, I think, is still better with the play-action passing game where he can get out and move on the perimeter to use his athletic ability and that type of thing, than if he just has to sit in the pocket and throw it.’’
In their Week 2 loss to the Jets, the Patriots did a great job limiting the Jets’ backs to 28 yards on eight carries (3.5 average) in the first half, and led, 14-10, at intermission.
Tomlinson and Greene had 18 carries for 100 yards (5.6) in the second half. The Jets outscored the Patriots, 18-0.
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