I’m not going to offer a pick or any specific analysis about tonight’s huge NFL game – that’s not what I do here. This is a very interesting game, though, so I do want to take a closer look at it. Here are five different elements to this game that I will be watching closely, and which have factored significantly into my handicapping of the game:

Schedule – I didn’t realize just how bad it was until I started looking closely at this game, but these two teams have got to where they are on the strength of very, very week schedules. The only team that the Patriots have played that are currently in a playoff spot are the Jets. New York has played the Pats and the Cardinals. Much is being made of the Jets’ last three games – all wins, and often impressive. Color me unconvinced, though. The last four games the Jets have played are against teams with a combined record of 11-34. Five of those 11 wins are thanks to the Bills. And remember, the Jets lost to Oakland before this three game winning streak. I don’t mean to suggest that either of those teams aren’t good because they haven’t played anyone. The point, though, is that we really have no idea how good either of these teams are because neither has really been tested – certainly not with any regularity.

Weather – The forecast for this game is bleak – cold, rain, and some wind. It’s tempting in such cases to assume that that will affect the total negatively. Indeed, the total has been moving down as the weather became more obvious. It will be interesting to see just how big of an impact the weather has.

Injuries – Now the Patriots have to live without Adalius Thomas for the rest of the year. They are obviously already used to playing without stars. Besides Brady, Rodney Harrison, and Laurence Maroney have already gone down, and key players like Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren, and Stephen Neal, and LaMont Jordan have missed time. We know that the team is god at dealing with losses, but you have to think that sooner or later they will reach their breaking point, and they will no longer be able to keep pulling off miracles. Or maybe not – after all, Bill Belichick is clearly adept at making deals with the devil.

Brett Favre – I grew very tired of all the Favre drama in the offseason, so I was predisposed to be unimpressed by him this year. That being said, it’s pretty clear that he isn’t at his best these days. The team is winning, but it is not because of huge performances by him. In fact, the team really seems to be wining despite him instead of because of him. It’s been a long time since we have seen a signature Brett Favre performance. This one has all the makings of one – huge conference game, national TV, unfriendly elements. If he doesn’t play well here then I will become more convinced that he is no longer capable of doing so like he once was.

Protection – Matt Cassel has looked pretty good in recent weeks. Part of that is confidence and support, but it also helps that Cassel doesn’t have to spend much time scrambling for his life. He gets well protected for the most part. The Jets are very good at pressuring a quarterback, though. The ability of the Pats to control the pass rush will have a significant impact on the outcome of the game.