# STORY LINE: Teams that finished with 4-12 records last season appear headed in opposite directions. The Jets have won two straight. The Raiders have lost their last three. Jets quarterback Brett Favre leads the league in completion percentage (71.3) and shows no signs of slowing down as he nears 40, while the Raiders' Russell, 23, is fresh from a game in which he completed only 13 of 35 passes. The Raiders' strength is their rushing attack: Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush comprise a formidable trio. The Jets have stymied Vikings backs Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. Does it get any tougher? The Jets defense is third in the league in average rushing yards allowed (69) and average per carry (2.9). The Raiders need to neutralize nose tackle Kris Jenkins — hello, center Jake Grove! — if they are to have any success against New York's 3-4 alignment. The Jets' weakness is their pass defense, so don't be surprised if Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp lets Russell air it out for a second straight game. Favre is much like Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, last Sunday's opponent, in that he doesn't need much time to scour the landscape. He finds the open man with uncanny ease and likes to spread around his throws. That's not comforting news for a Raidersdefense that allowed Brees a 26-of-30, 320-yard, three-touchdown # day. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan likely will attempt to pressure Favre into making some of his trademark ill-advised heaves. Otherwise, the Raiders risk a fate comparable to last Sunday's 34-3 lambasting. The Raiders likely will be without front-line rush-end Derrick Burgess (triceps) for a second straight game.
# WHAT'S WORTH WATCHING
Jets QB Brett Favre — One of his best overall performances came in a Monday night game against the Raiders (Dec. 22, 2003) in his only visit to the Coliseum, as a member of the Green Bay Packers. He always seems to play well against the Raiders.
