Veteran QB Brett Favre has been asked to be more of a game manager in recent weeks. The Jets are trying to minimize some of the mistakes he has made through questionable decision-making. Favre has thrown 12 interceptions, and had at least one in seven consecutive games before playing a turnover-free game in the rout of the Rams.

PLAYER PERSONNEL NOTES

--LB David Harris (groin surgery) isn't expected to return until later in November at the earliest.

--CB Ty Law was signed to a one-year deal, and he could play at New England in extra DB situations.

--CB-KR Justin Miller was waived to make room for Ty Law. Miller was sidelined for several weeks because of a dislocated toe suffered in the third preseason game and appeared in only one regular-season game this year.

--SS Eric Smith, who was removed from the Kansas City game because of lingering effects from his second concussion in three weeks, hasn't played the last two games and won't play this week.

--K Mike Nugent (thigh), who was injured opening day and has missed eight straight games, practiced on a limited basis Tuesday and is getting closer to returning. In fact, he and Jay Feely have been competing for the job in practice. Feely answered with a 4-for-4 performance on field goals against St. Louis, including a 55-yarder.

GAME PLAN: The Jets rushed for 5.0 yards per carry in the first meeting, but still lost. The key sequence in that game occurred in the second quarter when three Thomas Jones runs after a first-and-goal at the 3 failed to produce a touchdown. A successful night for Jones would provide not only redemption for the offensive line, but a chance for Brett Favre to work some play-action. Favre, who was interception-free for the first time since opening day in the Jets' win over St. Louis on Sunday, must continue to avoid mistakes against the savvy and opportunistic New England defense. However, that defense has been depleted further by the loss of LB Adalius Thomas (forearm injury), so Favre should have time to throw. Now that the Jets have more of an idea of what Matt Cassel's tendencies are, they can't allow him to use the short passing game as effectively as he did in the first meeting. WR Wes Welker (seven) and RB Kevin Faulk totaled 11 receptions, and the Jets must find a way to stop those screen passes, which helped set up four field goals in New England's win.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Jets CB Darrelle Revis vs. Patriots WR Randy Moss. Revis helped limit Moss to two receptions for 22 yards in the first meeting, but he has 23 catches over his last four games as Matt Cassel has quickly discovered that Moss can make any quarterback look good. Moss is catching more intermediate balls than deep ones, however.

Jets WR Jerricho Cotchery vs. Patriots CB Ellis Hobbs. Cotchery was limited to one reception against St. Louis but the Jets would like to make him a more integral part of the offense against the Patriots. But while Cotchery totaled 12 receptions in the Jets' two losses to New England last season, he only had one reception for 20 yards in the first meeting this year.

Jets ILB David Bowens vs. RB Kevin Faulk. Bowens, a veteran who used to play outside, will start his third straight game in place of injured David Harris (groin surgery). Bowens is an excellent pass rusher, but not as good in space as Harris, so the Pats likely will try to exploit him on second and third downs.

INJURY IMPACT: LB David Harris (groin) will sit out again this week, which will hurt the Jets' intermediate pass coverage. He again will be replaced by savvy veteran David Bowens, an excellent pass rusher who isn't as good at playing in space as Harris. New England may be able to exploit that with screens to Kevin Faulk, or passes to tight end Benjamin Watson.

SS Eric Smith, who left the game against Kansas City on Oct. 26 with some apparent post-concussion problems, won't play again this week. But there's really no drop-off to Abram Elam, who has now started thrice in Smith's place and has demonstrated coverage skills to go along with his ability in run support. His first career interception went for a 92-yard touchdown in the win at Buffalo, and his strip sack led to Calvin Pace's 50-yard fumble return for a score against St. Louis.

Jay Feely likely will fill in again for Mike Nugent (thigh) on placekicks, although Nugent and Feely have been having a kicking competition in recent practices. It could come down to a game-time decision Thursday night.

Backup TE Bubba Franks (hip) didn't practice Tuesday and is expected to miss his third straight game. Without Franks, the Jets have been using 305-pound lineman Robert Turner as an extra tight end in running situations, because rookie Dustin Keller's blocking still is suspect, although he is improving.