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The Jets have blown one chance already to assert themselves superior in this Tom Brady-free environment in which both teams operate in 2008. But they enter this game brimming with confidence after two consecutive superior performances.

Vegas views these teams as even on a neutral field, as the Patriots are currently favored by just three points in this Thursday night showdown in Foxborough.

The Jets are healthier. Yes, linebacker David Harris (groin) didn't practice Tuesday and is likely out. But the Patriots are without linebacker/defensive end Adalius Thomas, who keys their meager pass rush. New England also is banged up at running back, but this is not a big deal given the way rookie BenJarvis Green-Ellis looked against the Bills (26 carries for 105 yards and a score).

The Jets run defense is better now. And their run offense is top shelf, too. Though my affinity for Leon Washington remains unchanged, I must admit that Thomas Jones is running very hard and showing quickness into and out of the hole that I did not think he still possessed. He's been aided greatly by the offensive line finally playing up to its price tag.

But the Jets are still lagging in my stat power rankings. One of the big problems is that the index is not designed for teams like the Jets that have achieved significant advantages in the running game. A way to correct this is to fold passing and running stats into one net YPP (yards per play) number. I caution that there's no evidence that net YPP is a better stat. But there's a logic to using it. If we bounce out net YPA (yards per attempt) and sub in net YPP, the Jets move up on the overall (four-category) rankings from tied for 19th (with Dallas) to 14th. In just net YPP, New York is eight-best. The Jets are 20th in net YPA. Note that the Patriots are 25th in both net YPA and YPP.

The Jets are third-best in red-zone possessions and now are plus-five in our net category (ninth-best). In the other two index categories, net interceptions and net third-down percentage, they are 25th and 17th.

New York leans more toward the run with the playcalling. It has 50 percent rushes on first down in the first half, slightly more conservative than average. Brett Favre teams historically have been more pass-happy.

Why is Brett Favre here? The differences between this team and the one led by, say, Chad Pennington are so subtle that they are undetectable.

Consider that Favre is averaging about 10 yards per completion, which is terrible. Just 18 percent of his attempts travel 11-to-20 yards from scrimmage, just marginally more than the 16 percent the Jets attempted with Pennington and well below the league average of about 22 percent. There is a more significant difference on deeper throws. Favre throws about 11 percent over 20 air yards from compared to 7 percent or so with the Jets under Pennington.

Favre, the game's all-time interceptions leader with an even 300, is not he game manager the Jets seem to desire, especially on the road, where he's struggled more with his 81 quarterback rating.

Comparing Favre to New England quarterback Matt Cassel, we see that 17 percent of the Patriots signal-caller's attempts travel 11-to-20 yards from scrimmage. But on these throws, his quarterback rating is a putrid 41. (Favre's is 91 on similar throws.) Just 5 percent of Cassel's throws travel more than 20 air yards. So why bother even defending the deep ball? Just press everything and stop that short stuff to Wes Welker, who averages 9.2 yards per catch. That average seems pitiful unless it's third-and-6.

Randy Moss is still a tough matchup, but you have to dare Cassel to beat you long because he hasn't proven adept at this. Cassel's comfortable making quick decisions, not waiting for longer routes to develop. And he doesn't go through his progressions quickly enough when that first read isn't there -- witness the 29 sacks.

New England likes to start out conservatively (55-45 run/pass split in the first quarter) before opening up things in the second (58 percent pass) and third (59 percent pass) quarters.

The Patriots have success running up the middle, as shown by their 88 plays for a 5.0 average. But deserving league defensive MVP candidate Kris Jenkins should put an end to that idea.

Defense is the bigger problem for New England: It is 26th in YPA allowed and 18th in defensive sack percentage. The run defense isn't there either -- 19th in yards allowed per rush. Also consider the Pats are 21st in third-down percentage allowed and 30th in red-zone efficiency. But they're sixth-best in giving up points, continuing to leverage performance better than most teams due to their excellent coaching.

Newest Jets cornerback Ty Law is a good edition given the lack of explosion in the Pats passing game. Savvy is more important against them than athleticism. You have to guess right and tackle, and I expect Law can still does those things pretty well.

Prediction time: I'm torn. The Patriots have better coaching and a winner's attitude. They expect to win and rightfully consider the Jets to be as much a threat as a little brother (or, perhaps, a weak sister). Favre threw the ball up for grabs again versus the Rams, who couldn't hold on. The Patriots will not let any gifts slip through their fingers. Net interceptions is the Jets main weakness. On paper, this is a good matchup for New York given the Pats' defensive troubles. But you can't pick the Jets to beat the Patriots given the recent history between these teams. So ... Patriots 24, Jets 19.