Jets at Pats Monday Night Football

The Week 13 Monday Night Football matchup between the Jets and Patriots has so much underlying drama it could be nominated for a Primetime Emmy.

Of course, there’s first place in the AFC East on the line, the war of wits between Belichick and Ryan, and the sexy contrast at QB with Mark Sanchez and Tom Brady under center.

The most important and maybe forgotten angle in this matchup, however, is the collision at kicker. Sure, the kicker battle between the Jets’ Nick Folk and the Pats’ Shayne Graham doesn’t deserve such a title. But, with the spread sitting around a field goal, either one of these guys could be the difference Monday night.

It’s not just that these kickers will be called upon to boot the big balls, but the circumstances that they’re doing it under. Neither man is his team’s first choice, but the way the season has trickled down, New York and New England have no other option.

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Monday could be the last time Folk takes the field in a Jets uniform – and maybe on the NFL level. His job is hanging by a string after he’s failed to kick consistently, missing five of his past 10 field goal attempts and going just 22 for 30 on the year. Folk’s fragile foot is especially troubling for the Jets, who have had four of their games (9-2, 7-4 ATS) decided by four or fewer points.

Graham was signed by the Patriots (9-2, 6-3-1 ATS) back in November, filling in for injured kicked Stephen Gostkowski. In his three weeks of action, the Virginia Tech product is 17 for 18 on field goal attempts but has come up short on kickoffs. Graham has had only two touchbacks and is averaging just over 63 yards per kick. His leg will definitely come into play with Monday’s game most likely decided by field position as well as special teams. New York has a stellar returner in Brad Smith and ranks second in the NFL, averaging 26.9 yards per return.

Just two of the past 10 meetings between these divisional rivals have been decided by a field goal, with the most recent coming in a 34-31 Jets win in overtime back in Week 11 of the 2008 season. But with so much on the line Monday night, bettors can expect a back-and-forth game and at least one of these kickers to be called upon to put their team on top.

Pick: New York +3.5 at Bodog Sportsbook