NEW YORK JETS AT NEW ENGLAND

* Kickoff: 5:15 p.m.

* TV: Channel 7.

* Records: Jets 2-3; Patriots 4-1.

* Story line: The teams are coming off opposite performances as Jet Coach Bill Parcells prepares for his third game against his former team. While the Jets were self-destructing in a 30-10 loss to the St. Louis Rams, the Patriots were destroying the Kansas City Chiefs, 40-10, in what was expected to be a close game. Perhaps fearing a letdown this week, Patriot Coach Pete Carroll welcomes the national stage of “Monday Night Football.” “We need another big hyped-up game,” he said. The Patriots out-gained Kansas City, which had the NFL’s top-ranked defense, 438 yards to 134, and handed the Chiefs their worst loss in four years. “To go out and beat a team like that really sets a standard for our team,” says Patriot wide receiver Terry Glenn. “It shows people around the league what kind of team we have.” Patriot rookie Robert Edwards rushed for a season-high 104 yards against the Chiefs and became only the third player in league history to rush for a touchdown in each of his first five games. The player he replaced, Curtis Martin, has scored one touchdown for the Jets. He sat out against the Rams because of a thigh injury, but is expected to play tonight. The Jets, who had five turnovers against the Rams in suffering their worst loss of the Parcells era, have turned again to Vinny Testaverde, who took over from starter Glenn Foley in the third quarter last week and led the Jets to their only touchdown.

* Line: Patriots by 6 1/2