And so the Matt Cassel era (hopefully lasting for just a single season) begins. While I still had trouble falling asleep last night, still sick over the countless pictures of Brady in agonizing pain on the turf of Foxboro, I woke up this morning solely focused on one thing: beating the New York Jets. Yes, I'm reverting to the Hoodied Mantra: One Game at a Time.
 
We don't know how good or bad the Pats will be with Cassel. Yes, the schedule's pretty easy and the defense and offensive weapons are still in place. It's impossible to know what we've got in Cassel until we see him on the road, in a hostile environment, and a game plan to suit his strengths, whatever they may be. That's what we'll see this weekend, and we'll learn a lot.
 
Forget what you knew about the New England Patriots heading into this season. Here's the new reality about the game this weekend: Both teams are 1-0 and fairly evenly matched, at least as far as Vegas is concerned where the Jets are 2.5 point favorites. Though I should point out home teams always get 3 points so technically the Pats are still .5 point favorites but I digress.
 
All the pressure is on the Jets. If they want a shot at the division crown they need to win this game. Cassel should (hopefully) only improve as the season progresses, making November's rematch in Foxboro a slightly taller order for Mangini's boys.
 
If the Jets are ever going to catch the Pats at the right time to be beaten, it's this weekend. It's their home opener, the Unretired One's debut and the Pats (might) still be reeling from the events of last weekend. If the Jets lose they're going to be left wondering if they can ever beat the Patriots no matter who's playing QB.
 
On to my 5 Keyz for this week…
 
1. Pats Secondary is Primary: Dom Capers, work your magic. The Pats secondary looked pretty good against the Chiefs. Yes, it was against the Chiefs but still, something about the defense just looked faster and better to me last weekend. This week they will be put to the test. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Pats open up in a nickel package, tempting the Jets to run the ball. The big front three looked great last week, if they can continue to control the line of scrimmage like that the focus becomes entirely on the secondary and shutting down the small, quick Jets receivers. Deltha O'Neal made a couple huge plays and we'll need more of them. Lewis Sanders and Brandon Meriweather need to step up. They cannot allow the Unretired One any easy completions. Ultimately, a low scoring affair will favor the Pats (wow, stop and read that one again), and they'll need to shut down the big play to keep the Jets from piling up points that a Matt Cassel-led offense can't overcome.
 
2. Please Cassel Don't Hurt Us: Cassel wasn't spectacular last week but he doesn't need to be. There is enough talent around him that he just needs to make the safe plays and keep drives going. Most of all he needs to protect the football. If he has fewer turnovers than Brett Favre, something that historically has never been that difficult, the Patriots should have a great chance to win the game. Get the ball in the hands of our playmakers, not the Jets cornerbacks and the battle will be half won.
 
3. Run Wild: One of the saving graces for the Pats is the diversity of their running backs. All five can do a variety of different things and that will take some pressure off of Cassel. If they can get the running game going they'll be able to control the clock and keep Favre off the field. Remember when that's what opposing teams tried to do to the Pats? Welcome to the demento 2008 Pats season.
 
4. Force Jets Offense to Adjust: What the Pats have seen on tape of Favre against the Dolphins is what is he most comfortable doing in the new offense. Most likely this is what they will continue to try to do this weekend (with a couple new twists I'm sure). Clearly, Favre is still learning the playbook and though he looked solid last weekend there is still probably quite a few things they can't do just yet. What the Pats have to do, and what they're usually great at doing, is take away the things that Favre is comfortable with. Throw a new defensive wrinkle at them. Force their offense out of their comfort zone, limit what they can do and let the Brett Favre carefree improvisation (which equals interceptions in bunches) begin!
 
5. Win: Yes, it's always my 5th Key, but these are the Patriots and winning is all that matters. A win at the Meadowlands will give the Pats an early jump on the division, and with the way things look now, every division win will be absolutely vital. Winning a road game against a bitter rival would also go a long way for Matt Cassel's confidence and the confidence that the team and fans have in him. One thing's for certain, it's going to be interesting, but winning cures all. Except torn ACLs…