The skinny: The Jets play a 3-4 defense rooted in Patriots coach Bill Belichick's scheme - Jets coach Eric Mangini was Belichick's defensive coordinator for one season and Belichick's defensive backs coach for five other seasons, including on two Super Bowl winners. The Jets have dominated the line of scrimmage for much of season with it. They're physical up front and have speed on the edge. To run, the Broncos are going to have to move nose tackle Kris Jenkins and keep linebacker Eric Barton from running free behind him.

It's a fact: The Jets have held five opponents to less than 50 yards rushing this season and have held seven opponents to 80 yards or less.

When the Broncos pass the ball: ADVANTAGE Broncos

The skinny: Teams have moved the ball in the air at times against the Jets, largely by necessity. The Jets simply force people to throw because they can't run it. Only Chicago - at 441 - has faced more pass attempts this season than the 395 times opposing offenses have thrown the ball against the Jets. Many offenses have tried to avoid cornerback Darrelle Revis, yet he still leads the Jets with four interceptions and is their only player with more than one. They have moved 34-year-old Ty Law into the lineup and they can get to the quarterback, with 35 sacks this season.

It's a fact: The Jets have had at least five sacks in a game three times this season and have had at least four sacks in a game six times.

When the Jets run the ball: ADVANTAGE Jets

The skinny: Offensive coaches love having the threat of a legitimate change of pace in the run game, and the Jets certainly have that. Thomas Jones is a tough, hard-nosed runner who can finish well enough to lead the AFC in rushing with 950 yards this season. The Jets can send in Leon Washington when they see an opportunity to turn a crease into a touchdown. Washington leads the NFL in combined yardage - return yards and yards from scrimmage. When they need a play they tend to run it over center Nick Mangold and right guard Brandon Moore; they are averaging more than 5 yards a carry in those spots.

It's a fact: Since the start of the 2005 season, only LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson have rushed for more yards than Jones' 4,614 over that span.

When the Jets pass the ball: ADVANTAGE Jets

The skinny: It's Brett Favre, just start there. After a couple of tentative steps early in the season, Favre is clearly comfortable in the Jets offense these days. He's had a six-touchdown game this year against Arizona and is coming off back-to-back road wins over New England and Tennessee. The Jets have playmakers on the outside in Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery, but the matchup that might be most difficult for the Broncos on Sunday is New York rookie tight end Dustin Keller. He has had at least six catches in each of the past three games. Keller is a former high jumper who once cleared 6-feet-10, and the Broncos have had their troubles this season with opposing tight ends.

It's a fact: Favre has thrown 10 interceptions, compared with eight touchdown passes, in his six career games against the Broncos.

Special teams: ADVANTAGE Jets

The skinny: Washington's presence in the return game gives the Jets a decided advantage here, especially when the Broncos allowed another return for a touchdown Sunday against the Raiders. Washington returned a kickoff 92 yards for a score against New England this season. Jay Feely has filled in nicely for the injured Mike Nugent in the kicking game for the Jets, hitting 20-of-24 field-goal attempts. The Broncos' Matt Prater has missed at least one kick in each of the past four games and Giants Stadium can be a difficult place to try to get your mojo back because of the wind conditions.

It's a fact: The Jets have a kickoff return for a touchdown, have blocked a field-goal attempt, forced a fumble and recovered an onside kick on special teams this season.

Intangibles: ADVANTAGE Broncos

The skinny: The percentages are certainly on the Jets side. They are confident, in a fierce playoff hunt and they are playing at home. They also are one of the highest-scoring teams in the league and have the No. 8 run game. Still, the Broncos will have their shot if they can force a mistake or two from Favre and arrive to find a Jets team already buying into the all-New York Super Bowl frenzy surrounding the Jets and Giants right now.

LEGWOLD'S PREDICTION: Jets 28, Broncos 20