bostondave	36 years old DANVERS, MA
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New England Patriots vs New York Jets
4:15pm EST, CBS

The New England Patriots start a new era with Matt Cassel taking the snaps. No one can possibly know what will happen today. There are too many unknowns. Right now, we only saw what happened against the Chiefs. Adrenaline may have been a part of what helped Cassel. He had no time to think. This week, he's had a whole week to contemplate how he'll play. I do think he'll play alright. He just has to make sure he doesn't turnover the ball. He'll manage the game and make only a few deep passes to keep the Jets defense honest.

I expect to see Wes Welker to catch a lot of short passes. The running game will be thoroughly used too. Kevin Faulks return should help in protecting the QB too. I wouldn't mind seeing Maroney and Morris make some big runs.

The Pats defense will have to step it up today. They have to contain Farve and make sure he doesn't make too many big plays. You know he'll launch some deep passes. Just hope the corners will be able to pick them off. The Jets running game has improved as well and will have to be stopped. It will be interesting to see how the Pats defense does do. The front seven will have to force turnovers.

I do expect this game to be fairly close. It might come down to special teams plays.

There are still too many questions on the Pats offense though. It could become a very ugly game or the Patriots could be just fine. This will be the first real test.

However, if Cassel does stink, I do expect him to continue as the QB. He'll have at least the bye-week to either keep or lose his job. It's a little late to be bringing in a veteran QB as many people wanted. The guy wouldn't be able to play a game for a while while he learned the system. It's a show of faith that Bill has in his system to develop his own quarterbacks.

Also, lets hope no one else gets hurt.

I'd be lying if I thought the Patriots will win today but there is always a chance. I do have faith that the rest of the team will "just do their jobs". It does bring focus. The season won't be pretty but like I wrote earlier, the Pats just have to make the playoffs this season. It'll be a small victory of sorts...