FOXBORO — Want an example on how quickly a team’s outlook can change in the NFL? Consider the situation for the repeat match between the Patriots and Jets on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

When the teams met in Week Two, it was the Jets who won on their way to a 3-0 start, the Jets who seemed to be on the top of the NFL world. As they prepare to meet a second time, the picture is very different. The Jets are in disarray after losing five of their last six. The Patriots, even with a difficult loss last weekend in Indianapolis, are firmly in control of the AFC East. Again.

The cases of the Pats’ Wes Welker, and the Jets’ Kris Jenkins and Leon Washington provide a few of the reasons why so much has changed.

Welker was not healthy for the game in September. Rookie Julian Edelman replaced him and was solid with eight catches, but he had a key drop. Welker not only has returned, he is on the way to what could be his best season yet.

He has 64 receptions, tied for second in the NFL even though he has played in only seven games. He is averaging 9.1 receptions per game and has had seven straight games with at least six receptions. At his current pace, he would finish with 127 catches. Only one player in history has had more, Marvin Harrison with 143 in 2002.

“I don’t really pay too much attention to it. It is what it is,” Welker responded when asked about the numbers. “To me, it’s going out there and playing hard every play and doing my job to the best of my ability. At the end of the year, you let all that stuff will take care of itself.”

After missing the first chance to play against the Jets, Welker is primed and ready to go, especially because he often is the key receiver when opponents blitz.

“I’m definitely looking forward to this game, ready to get out there and get after it,” Welker said. “They blitz quite a bit. They run around and make plays. That’s kind of their philosophy and what they do really well.

“I know their blitz percentage is definitely higher than a lot of teams. Judging by what happened in our last game and the type of success they had blitzing us, I would not be surprised to see a lot of that again.”

* * *

The Jets go into the game without two of their key players. Defensive lineman Jenkins and versatile back Washington are both out for the season after knee injuries. Losing Jenkins changes the New York defensive front.

“It’s a lot different,” said Pats’ running back Laurence Maroney. “That’s a man-child, a person that it takes about 90 people to block. He’s definitely a great player, but he’s not the only great player on their line. … It’s not going to be easy to move these guys around. They do have one of the biggest defensive line and linebacker corps in the league.”

Washington injured his right leg in a victory over Oakland on his first carry of the game, breaking his fibula.

“Leon brought a dimension to the offense that was pretty,” Pats’ coach Bill Belichick said of Washington. “He’s a pretty special player.”

* * *

Belichick passed out more compliments Friday, with the members of the Patriots personnel department on the receiving end of the most praise.

The talk came when Belichick was asked about the depth on his team. He spoke about how pleased he was, from the practice squad on up.

“I would say it’s probably the best practice squad group we’ve had since I’ve been here, as a total group,” Belichick said. The personnel people, headed by Nick Caserio, the director of player personnel, “have done a great job,” the coach said. Belichick specifically mentioned bringing in quarterback Brian Hoyer, who went undrafted, and linebacker Rob Ninkovich.

One more fact: The Patriots selected 12 rookies in this year’s draft and all 12 are still with the team either on the active roster, practice squad or injured list.

* * *

Randy Moss needs 109 yards receiving to reach 1,000 for the season. It would be the 10th time in his career he has done that. Only one other player has accomplished that, Jerry Rice, who did it 14 times. … The Patriots have not been swept by a team from their division since 2000 — when the Jets did it. Since 2003, the Pats are 20-1 in regular-season games following a loss. … Tom Brady has won 20 straight regular-season home games. … The only Pats’ players who did not take part in at least some work at practice Friday were running back Fred Taylor, guard Stephen Neal and Ninkovich. Jarvis Green returned to practice for the first time since having knee surgery during the bye week.

pkenyon@projo.com