Jets-Patriots round three. And this time (again), it's personal

I'm still very much on the fence when it comes to Rex Ryan. Half the time I hate the boneheaded 'smash them in the mouth' all talk approach, but then I appreciate you can't argue the fact that those who play for him love his style and enthusiasm.

Ryan has come out again ahead of the Divisional Round and said the clash with Bill Belichick on Sunday is 'personal' once more, as he did with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning last week.

But as Mike Carlson noted on the Inside the Huddle podcast, it's not. Ryan needs to distract attention away from his team, help alleviate the pressure from returning to the scene of their heavy beating in November, and protect his quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Sanchez failed to impress me and many viewers last weekend. This was underlined by an offensive series just before the interval, where Sanchez over-threw his receivers on consecutive downs, before throwing a poor interception on third down.

Ryan looked frustrated on the sidelines in the aftermath of the drive, and whilst he blamed poor offensive protection as the source of his anger at half-time, the second half saw the Jets change strategy dramatically.

Their first scoring drive of the half featured 8 runs and just two passes, and this imbalance continued throughout the second half. Sanchez was relegated to making more easy passes, and whilst it is true that he threw the key pass to Braylon Edwards in setting up the game-winning field goal, the completion had more to do with poor coverage by Jacob Lacey and an excellent effort by Edwards in securing the ball.

How the Jets will fare against the Patriots this time around is anyone's guess given events in Seattle last Saturday, but it's fair to say a closer scoreline is expected. With the Patriots having key interior defensive players injured, the Jets' heavy run diet may return.

My admiration for Belichick's ability to feed unheard of players into the system he creates had been demonstrated once again this year, with his 'no-name' defense that has stifled opponents and made stars of cornerback Devin McCourty and linebacker Brandon Spikes, and offensive acquisitions that have proved equally effective; notably Rob Gronkowski at tight end and the continuing emergence of running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

I always enjoy watching a Belichick team's gameplanning strategy; he favours attacking an opponent's weakness rather than focusing solely on managing a balanced attack.

My opinion of him was only slightly tainted by discovering comments from former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson during 'concussion-gate' earlier in the season, that Belichick demanded Johnson practice even in the aftermath of having suffered a concussion.

* Mike Carlson also noted that Pete Carroll's enthusiastic collegiate-style coaching attitude has suited the Seahawks' position entering the playoffs as complete underdogs. I'll admit I have enjoyed watching Carroll pacing the sidelines these past few game, but there is only so far such energy and motivation can take you against skill and consistency. To upset the Bears (although only an average offensive team in my opinion) at Soldier Field would be a huge feat for the visitors.