Sheldon Richardson: Jets will beat Pats if 'we do what we're supposed to do'

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Unlike in past years, the New York Jets -- under new coach Todd Bowles -- are staying quiet and businesslike as they prepare for Sunday's showdown with the New England Patriots.

Well, except for defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson.

"This is going to be another win for us," Richardson told Metro New York. "We'll let you all write the columns about validating wins and stuff like that. This is going to be another win in the win column if we got out there and execute and do what we're supposed to do."

It's hardly a guarantee, and Richardson qualified his comments by saying "if" the Jets play well. But it's still an eyebrow-raising remark because of the opponent. The Patriots are 5-0, with an average margin of victory of 16 points.

And, oh, yes, they've won seven of the past eight meetings against the Jets (4-1).

"We're going to be up in the division. That's how we're going to look at it," Richardson added. "We're going to be the front-runners. That's how we look at it."

This is the same Richardson who made headlines after last week's win over the Washington Redskins, saying the Jets are "licking our chops" at the prospect of facing the first-place Patriots. It was his first game after a four-game suspension for marijuana.

Richardson's latest bulletin-board quote came to light on the same day in which the Patriots, on their official Twitter account, trolled the Jets by posting a picture of the infamous 2012 Butt Fumble. The tweet was later deleted.