Why?

Because Buccaneers special teams coach Richard Bisaccia asked him for some tips two years ago at the NFL Combine.

"They're running my stuff. I gave it to them," Westhoff said. "I don't mean to sound like it's arrogant, [but] the guy came and asked me, 'What you're doing is the best. How can I do it?' I said, 'Here, sit down.' I gave it to him. I helped him."

The Buccaneers lead the NFL in both kickoff return average (28.4 yards) and in kickoff coverage (19.1 yards). Rookie Sammie Stroughter, who replaced the injured Clifton Smith, is averaging 29.5 yards per return and has taken one back 97 yards for a touchdown.

Westhoff said Bisaccia has done a good job, but he believes he can stop the Buccaneers' schemes.

"Yes, I do. I think I do," Westhoff said. "[Bisaccia] has put his own slant on it, so he's done a great job with it. He's a good coach. He said, 'I'm running this stuff. Can you help with a couple little things?' I did.

"That's not the reason why they're good, though. Trust me. He knows what he's doing.

*** He doesn't need me to help." ? The Jets enter today's game having beaten the Buccaneers in eight of the teams' nine meetings, including the last six. . . . Jets CB Darrelle Revis has five interceptions and an NFL-high 26 passes defended. His play has anchored a Jets' pass defense that ranks No. 1 in the NFL, allowing just 167 passing yards per game. The Jets also have allowed the fewest passing touchdown of any team this season (7).

*** The Jets defense has allowed 16 offensive touchdowns this season, and the Buccaneers have allowed 37. . . . The Jets own the No. 2-ranked defense in the league, while Tampa Bay has scored just 30 points in the last three games. . . . The Jets have held four of their 12 opponents to fewer than 10 points. In their six wins this season, the Jets have allowed 52 points.

*** The Jets have allowed 32 scoring drives (16 touchdowns and 16 field goals), which is the fewest in the NFL. . . . Their defense has produced the highest percentage of three-and-out series at 31.9 percent (44-of-138 opponents' drives).

LINE: Jets -3

OVER/UNDER: 36 1/2

AFC playoff picture

Jets schedule

TEAM RECORD

Division leaders

Colts 12-0

Bengals 9-3

Chargers 9-3

Patriots 7-5

Wild card leaders

Broncos 8-4

Jaguars 7-5

Contenders

Dolphins 6-6

Ravens 6-6

Jets 6-6

DATE OPP

Tomorrow at Bucs

Dec. 20 Falcons

Dec. 27 at Colts

Jan. 3 Bengals