Rex: Beating Patriots is a must

Patriots' place

In the midst of a two-game tailspin, the Jets venture into enemy territory Sunday against the Patriots. It's the Jets' first AFC East game, and a win would tie New England at 3-2 overall.

"It's huge," Rex Ryan said. "We're not going to deny that. This is a team that we have to beat. No offense to Buffalo. Buffalo's playing great. The simple fact is [the Patriots] have won it two years in a row since I've been in this division. We need to knock them off."

Familiar face

Shaun Ellis used to hate the Patriots. Now he's one of them, signing in August after he felt disrespected by the Jets' offer of one year for the veteran's minimum of roughly $910,000. Ellis had 72.5 sacks in 11 seasons as a Jet.

"You're going against your former team, you're going to try and put everything you've got into it,'' Ryan said. "We expect that from Shaun. He's been a great player for a number of years."

Return of Mangold?

All-Pro center Nick Mangold hasn't played the past two games because of a high ankle sprain. Ryan remains hopeful he'll have the leader of the offensive line back against the Patriots.

The Jets were forced to juggle the line against the Ravens, shuffling Matt Slauson from left guard to center and using Vladimir Ducasse at left guard for three series to let center Colin Baxter clear his head.

"Will he practice Wednesday? He'd probably be limited," Ryan said of Mangold. "They worked him pretty good before the game and he had no issues, so he's getting better."