EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The eye-popping strength in Jay Cutler's right arm has earned him lots of flattering comparisons, as well as lofty expectations.

"He's very talented," Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "He has a great future. He has everything that you look for in a quarterback. He's just getting better every game."

Cutler also doesn't lack confidence. The third-year Broncos quarterback recently boasted he thinks he has a stronger arm than John Elway in his heyday, a borderline sacrilegious statement in Denver. In fact, Cutler said, he'd bet on his arm over anybody else's in the league.

Yes, even Brett Favre.

"Yeah I think so," Cutler said, laughing. "What is Brett? Is he 40 yet? Thirty-nine, soon to be 40? I think he may have given me a run back in his 20s, but I think I got him now."

Cutler's mix of swagger, playmaking arm strength and scrambling ability have some likening him to a young Favre.

"I can see the comparisons," said Favre, who shares the same agent with Cutler. "He's probably a little more advanced as far as being in a passing offense when he came into the league as I was. From a physical standpoint, I see us doing a lot of the same things at that age."

The two will square off today for the second time in their careers when the Broncos (6-5) visit the Jets (8-3) at the Meadowlands.

"I have a long way to go," Cutler said of the comparisons to Favre. "You're talking about Brett Favre, one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. He's accomplished a lot throughout his career. I'm just kind of getting started. We'll see."

Cutler has his career off to a nice beginning, and the comparisons to Favre aren't outrageous. Through their first 32 starts, their numbers are close, with Cutler actually better. Cutler is 624-of-1,010 for 7,534 yards, 48 touchdowns and 31 interceptions, while Favre was 667-of-1,072 for 6,995 yards, 39 TDs and 39 INTs.

"I grew up a Bears fan, so I watched a lot of Brett Favre growing up," said Cutler, who leads the AFC with 3,036 yards passing. "I still admire the way he plays and the things that he's able to do on the field."

Favre, then with Green Bay, beat Cutler and the Broncos in overtime last year in their only other meeting.

"The guy can be pretty darn good," Favre said. "Barring some injury, he'll have a great career."