Burress, Jets can't wait to face Patriots

FOXBORO, Mass. -- Plaxico Burress hasn't visited Gillette Stadium in nearly a decade, hasn't gotten that personal view of the wrath Patriots fans love to unleash on the opposition.

Late Sunday afternoon, though, the Jets wide receiver again will play in a place that's been a house of horrors for visitors during the regular season, a venue that's helped devour the last 18 teams, sending each home with a defeat.

This also will be Burress' first foray into one of the NFL's most heated rivalries. The last time he saw the Patriots, they were walking off the field in Arizona hanging their heads. Burress had burned them for the game-winning catch in the Giants' victory in Super Bowl XLII, ending the Patriots' bid for a perfect season.

So to sum it all up in the catchphrase of teammate Bart Scott, Burress "can't wait" for the Jets (2-2) to square off against the Patriots (3-1).

"This is what it's all about," Burress said. "We haven't played up to our potential in the past two weeks. What other position would you be in -- to be playing against who they say is the best team in football right now, the best quarterback.

"It's a divisional game. Divisional games are always important. Being it's Patriots-Jets, my first one, I'm looking forward to it. I know the atmosphere is going to be incredible and it's a good test for us."

It's also the Jets' first trip here since their stunning triumph over Tom Brady & Co. in January, a victory that vaulted them into their second straight AFC Championship Game.

The Jets have a slight edge in their battles with New England in Rex Ryan's tenure, holding a 3-2 advantage. Ryan always seems to put more emphasis on these games against the Patriots, and he didn't pretend this is just another game.

"Of course, these games have a little extra, there's no doubt," Ryan said. "I think it's the fact you're going against a Hall of Fame coach, Hall of Fame quarterback and team that's won three Super Bowls and has dominated your division, won seven of eight, I think, division crowns. That's the one you want to have.

"This is your archrival and you want to get after them."

Brandon Moore, the Jets' ninth-year veteran right guard, knows how vital it is for the Jets to beat New England. The Jets repeatedly have said that getting a home playoff game is a top priority this season, and the only way to do that is to claim the AFC East crown, meaning they have to dethrone the Patriots.

"They are the standard-bearer in our division," Moore said. "They've owned our division for the past 10 years or more. We talked about the playoffs and all these other things. You want to win your division, and they've owned it. So it's definitely a big challenge for us."

The Jets' strong start in the first two weeks has been marred by ugly losses in Oakland and Baltimore the past two weeks, leading to a plethora of questions. They've taken shots from some of their former players, and people are beginning to wonder if this really is a championship-type team, considering all their recent problems.

"Shoot, we'll bounce back," defensive tackle and captain Sione Pouha said. "Man, this is a strong team."