Last meeting
Patriots RB Laurence Maroney recorded a career-high 26 carries for a season-high 104 yards as the Patriots knocked off the Jets 20-10 in Week 15 last season.
Last week
Patriots backup QB Matt Cassel came in for an injured Tom Brady and led the Patriots on three scoring drives in a 17-10 win over Kansas City. ... Brett Favre began his Jets career with a bang, throwing two touchdowns in a 20-14 win over Miami.
Keep your eye on ...
Cassel's first NFL start: The career backup will be making his first start since 1999, when he played at Chatsworth High School in Southern California. With a knee injury sidelining Brady for the rest of the season, the Patriots will look to Cassel -- who has thrown just 57 passes in four NFL seasons -- to be their quarterback for the foreseeable future.
Patriots running backs: New England is likely to lean more on its ground game while Cassel gets his feet wet. The Patriots have a lot of players to choose from at running back, with Maroney and Sammy Morris their best options between the tackles. Kevin Faulk (returning from a one-game suspension) and former Jet LaMont Jordan provide depth and solid third-down options.
Jerricho Cotchery: The fifth-year receiver appeared to establish an early chemistry with Favre during the preseason and that trend continued in Week 1 as the two connected on a 56-yard touchdown on the first play of the Jets' second possession. Cotchery has recorded six receptions in four consecutive games vs. New England.
Did you know?
Jordan spent four seasons with the Jets (2001-04) and totaled 1,277 rushing yards on 262 attempts with 10 touchdowns. ... Patriots WR Wes Welker aims for his third consecutive game with six-plus receptions vs. the Jets. ... Including Super Bowl XXXI, Favre has completed 84 of 150 passes (56 percent) for 999 yards, with nine touchdowns, two interceptions and a 90.9 passer rating in five career meetings vs. New England.
