ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- One of the biggest story lines of the week leading up to Sunday's Patriots-Jets showdown was the potential matchup between New York cornerback Darrelle Revis and New England wide receiver Wes Welker.

Here's a look at how it played out (charting from the press box, slight margin for error):

Welker vs. Revis
(Total of 11 drives, includes five penalty plays)
42 plays, 3 targets, 2 receptions, 77 yards
Patriots production: 17 runs, 62 yards, 2 TD; 15-of-18 passing, 234 yards, TD, 2 sacks (-16)

Notes: Welker finished with five catches for 126 yards... The one target that didn't connect with Revis defending him was a throw to the end zone in which Welker thought Revis and Antonio Cromartie hindered his path (the ball sailed high over them all)... Revis did a nice job limiting Welker to one 4-yard catch on 19 first-half 1-on-1 battles, but on the first play of the second half, New York's cornerback got caught cheating a bit and -- when safety Eric Smith couldn't help out -- Welker caught a 73-yard pass to highlight a four-play touchdown drive... The first and only target of the first half came on the final of 19 snaps the two were matched up against each other. Welker didn't create that much separation, but a nice lob from Brady was enough for a third-down conversion (it was wasted when Brady was intercepted on the final play of the half)... Welker had two other first-half catches for 43 yards, both when initially guarded by cornerback Donald Strickland, who then handed him off to safety Eric Smith in coverage... On 18 of the 20 plays he hasn't defended Welker, Revis has been matched up on Deion Branch.

Analysis: Beyond the long pass at the start of the second half, Revis did a solid job limiting Welker. Revis was physical for much of the game and managed to stay with him on his cuts. With Brady getting rid of the ball quickly on many of the first-half plays they were matched up on, it left Welker with few opportunities to be targeted. Revis will look back at the long play that led to a touchdown and kick himself over the miscommunication that allowed Welker to get behind the defense.

Much of the hype leading up this week's Patriots-Jets matchup is sure to center on how New York will defend wide receiver Wes Welker. Through four games, Welker leads the league in receptions (40), receiving yards (616), and yards from scrimmage (635).

The obvious answer is Darrelle Revis, the three-time Pro Bowler whose regarded as maybe the league's elite shutdown corner. The stats back it up. According to analytical stats site Pro Football Focus, Revis has only been thrown at 11 times this season (only five times since Week 1). Only three of those passes have been completed for 38 yards. Maybe the most eye-popping stat is that no pass in Revis' direction has been completed over the past three weeks.

Should the Jets move Revis into the slot to defend Welker in this Week 5 meeting? A look at the Welker vs. Revis matchups based on PFF numbers from meetings over the last three seasons:

Jan. 16, 2011 -- Jets 28, Patriots 21 -- 1 target, 1 reception, 10 yards, 6 YAC
Dec. 6, 2010 -- Patriots 45, Jets 3 -- 1 target, 1 reception, 11 yards, 13 YAC
Sept. 19, 2010 -- Jets 28, Patriots 14 -- 1 target, 0 receptions
Nov. 22, 2009 -- Patriots 31, Jets 14 -- 2 targets, 1 reception, 43 yards, 17 YAC
Sept. 20, 2009 -- Jets 16, Patriots 9 -- 0 targets (Welker DNP)
Nov. 13, 2008 -- Jets 34, Patriots 31 (OT) -- 1 target, 1 reception, 14 yards, 0 YAC
Sept. 14, 2008 -- Patriots 19, Jets 10 -- 2 targets, 2 receptions, 35 yard,s 38 YAC
Totals: 3 seasons, 6 games -- 8 targets, 6 receptions, 113 yards, 74 YAC

The numbers suggest the matchup has been a bit of a wash. While the Patriots have had success when Welker is targeted with Revis on him, it's still only six receptions over six games, and that's not exactly a number that will scare away the Jets. The matchup has yielded no touchdowns and no interceptions. Ultimately, the matchup would make for great theater, especially in this matchup of rivals. It will be interesting to see how the Jets decide to defend Welker and if the Patriots get creative to prevent New York from keying on him with one defender. It should be stressed that the two have rarely been matched because the Jets have kept Revis on outside receivers, but you have to wonder if that will change this time around.

In his conference call with New England reporters on Wednesday morning, Jets coach Rex Ryan was asked whether he expected the Patriots to try to avoid throwing the ball to anyone being covered by cornerback Darrelle Revis on Sunday.

“Well, when you go to Revis Island, the success rate going to that island probably isn’t that good, and Brady knows that,” Ryan said. “He can look at a different matchup that he probably likes better than that matchup. And that’s with any receiver in the league. This is a once-in-a-lifetime type corner and that’s a fact. He is, in my opinion, the best corner in football. It’s not even close. I don’t think it’s smart business to target him."

Ryan explained that one of the challenges the Patriots pose is the number of weapons they have in the passing game, something he got first-hand knowledge of in the teams’ last meeting, a 45-3 shellacking by the Patriots in which Brady completed passes to eight different receivers.

“They torched us last time they played us,” Ryan said. “It’s not like they just have Wes Welker or they just have [Deion] Branch or they just have one tight end. They’ve got a whole slew of weapons and Brady uses every one of them. He’s going to throw it to the open guy. That’s what you have to be concerned with.”

In the AFC East Huddle video clip above, ESPN NFL analyst John Clayton gives his hunch on how the Jets will utilize cornerback Darrell Revis against the Patriots on Monday night.

“The big thing to watch for in the game between New England and the Jets is how different the Patriots offense is and how the Jets are gong to cover it,” Clayton says. “I anticipate some surprises because what you can see is Darrelle Revis is going to match up against the best receiver. I think what you are going to see is he’s going to try to come inside, try to take Wes Welker away, and occasionally come over and try to take Aaron Hernandez away.

“It was a lot easier before because what he could do was focus on Randy Moss, take him out of the equation, and then all the other defensive backs deal with everybody else and then see if the Patriots could mount a running game.

“But now I think it’s going to be a little bit more select strategy as far as what Rex Ryan will do with Revis. Revis is a hired gun. He’ll shut down whoever he can shut down, but that’s something they have to decide. Do you take away Welker? Hernandez? You may have to take a way multiple guys. That’s going to be a tough decision.”

For the most part, outspoken New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis steered clear of saying anything too inflammatory in an interview during last night’s Monday Night Football telecast (video above), but he did make a prediction for next Monday night’s clash between the Jets and New England Patriots when asked.

“I gotta represent for the New York Jets. We’re going to win. I feel that,” Revis said. “We feel confident. We know its going to be a tough game. We’re just looking to try to be 10-2.”

Revis, who famously dubbed former Patriots receiver Randy Moss a slouch last offseason, steered clear of giving that designation to any current Patriots when asked last night.

“There are no slouches on the Patriots team,” Revis said with a laugh. “I do have a lot of respect for them. I like how they bring it every time we play them. You get nothing less than the A-plus game from those guys. ... I know what type of game this is going to be. It’s going to be lights, camera, action from both teams on Monday night.”

With a victory at Gillette Stadium on Monday night, Revis and the Jets would sweep the season series from the Patriots and have the inside track to the AFC East title and a first-round playoff bye.

“This would be a big relief, beating them twice in one year,” Revis said. “I don’t remember the last time we did it. Since we’ve been here we haven’t, so it would be a joy for me and my teammates too.”

ESPN football analyst Tedy Bruschi, who contributes his analysis weekly on ESPNBoston.com, shares his thoughts on the Patriots' 31-14 win over the Jets.

A few points that he highlights, which could be easy to overlook, include the role of running back Kevin Faulk providing blitz relief and the standout performance of linemen Vince Wilfork and Logan Mankins. Bruschi also tips his cap to Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis in his matchup against Randy Moss.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Capitalizing on erratic rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez (four interceptions), and sparked by receiver Wes Welker’s career-high 15 catches, the New England Patriots defeated the New York Jets 31-14 Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots jumped out to a 24-0 second-quarter lead and had a chance to bury the Jets early in the second half, but they didn’t deliver a decisive knockout punch until late in the fourth quarter.

The victory, coming seven days after a heartbreaking loss in Indianapolis, improves the Patriots’ record to 7-3 and keeps them two games ahead of the Dolphins (5-5) in the AFC East.

Cornerback Leigh Bodden tied a Patriots record with three interceptions, while safety Brandon Meriweather had the team’s other pickoff. Sanchez also lost a fumble late in the fourth quarter. Sanchez was 8 of 20 for 136 yards, with one touchdown and the four interceptions.

Welker was the catalyst for the Patriots' offense, his 15 catches going for 192 yards. Quarterback Tom Brady finished 28 of 41 for 310 yards and one touchdown.

Randy Moss had five catches for 34 yards and one touchdown in his duel with Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, with Revis more than holding his own.

Reaction from both teams to come.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Analysis from the first half with the Patriots leading the Jets 24-7:

This has been as energized and hard hitting of a first half as the Patriots have played this season. It has helped that Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has been jittery and sporadic (2 INTs, one returned 53 yards by Leigh Bodden for a TD). Sanchez is 2 of 9 for 15 yards.

The Jets aren’t built to play from so far behind. They entered the game leading the NFL in rushing yards per game, but they’ll need to throw it to get back into this one. Sanchez doesn’t look capable of making it happen.

The individual matchup that was a top storyline entering the game -- Randy Moss vs. Darrelle Revis -- has been fun to watch. Revis is doing his part to help limit Moss (4 catches, 21 yards, TD) with physical play at the line and the ability to stay with him down the field. The Patriots have tried to go to Moss when it’s been a one-on-one matchup down the field, but Revis has answered the challenge more often than not.

At one juncture, the Patriots ran a bunch formation with Moss and Wes Welker as a way to help Moss shake free of Revis. On another play, three defenders broke toward Moss, opening a lane for Welker for a big gain. Welker (8 catches, 139 yards) has been terrific.

The Patriots are playing a base 3-4 defense, then going to a dime package (6 defensive backs) on obvious passing situations. The dime has swarmed, as that is the package in which Bodden has his two interceptions and the Patriots also have a sack.

The Patriots have brought a physical edge to this game, whether it has been left tackle Mark LeVoir crunching defensive back Donald Strickland on a receiver screen, or Laurence Maroney lowering his shoulder and steamrolling over a defender. Each time, the Patriots sideline has erupted as the hard hitting has helped the team build momentum.

On special teams, the Patriots had a punt blocked and recovered for a touchdown late in the second quarter. It looked like a case where the team might have missed special teams captain Sam Aiken as the personal protector, as Pat Chung blocked inside as pressure came to his left.

The Jets get the ball to start the second half.

FOXBOROUGH -- Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis' matchup with Randy Moss is naturally a top storyline this week. Revis covered Moss in the Sept. 20 meeting between the teams and Moss finished with four receptions for 24 yards.

After that game, Moss said that any cornerback would fare that well with safety help over the top.

Those remarks were contested by Revis on Wednesday, who said he viewed them somewhat as a lack of respect.

"Everybody saw the game, everybody knew I was in man coverage, and that was the case," Revis said. "He was supposed to say that, because that wasn't his day. He got shut out and frustrated about it, which is cool."

There seems to be a difference in opinion on the type of coverage against Moss, depending on which team is talking.

Earlier on Wednesday, coach Bill Belichick was asked about Revis' performance against Moss in that Sept. 20 game and said: "They played a lot of over-the-top coverage with Revis and [Kerry] Rhodes. Not always, but quite a bit."

Revis said he has nothing against Moss and still considers him one of the best receivers in the league. "When we go up against each other, it's great competition," he said.

Revis pointed out that the Patriots are doing different things with Moss than they were earlier in the season, such as playing him more in the slot, so it's harder to get a jam on him.