The New England Patriots are back in the playoff picture, and this time, it feels different. At 12-3, they’ve already punched their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2022, but they’re not just settling for a wild card. With two games left, the Patriots are chasing the AFC East crown-and maybe even the conference’s top seed.
Meanwhile, the New York Jets find themselves in a familiar spot: out of the playoff race and locked into last place in the AFC East. At 3-12, they’re just playing out the string, and with a banged-up roster, they’re limping toward the finish line.
For New England, the path to the division title is straightforward, if not exactly easy. They’re one game ahead of the Buffalo Bills, and if they can take care of business against the Jets this week and beat the Dolphins at home in Week 18, the AFC East is theirs. The Bills, on the other hand, have a tougher road-they host the high-powered Philadelphia Eagles before closing out their season against these same Jets.
But the Patriots have their eyes on more than just the division. They’re tied with the Denver Broncos at 12-3, and while Denver holds the tiebreaker for the No. 1 seed thanks to a tougher schedule, New England still has a shot-if they can finish with a better record.
That means they’ll need help, especially with the Broncos set to face the Chiefs in Week 17 and the Chargers in their regular-season finale. That AFC West race could come down to the wire.
What’s made New England so dangerous this season? It starts with second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who’s taken a massive leap forward.
Maye has been nothing short of electric, completing over 70% of his passes-321 of 453-for 3,947 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions. He’s not just dicing up defenses through the air, either; he’s added 387 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground, converting 33 of his carries into first downs.
That dual-threat ability has given defenses headaches all year.
Maye’s chemistry with Stefon Diggs has been a game-changer. The veteran wideout, who came over from Buffalo, has been the go-to guy in clutch moments. With 76 catches for 869 yards and 3 touchdowns, Diggs has moved the chains 45 times-proof that he’s not just piling up stats, he’s making them count.
Tight end Hunter Henry has been another reliable target, especially in the red zone and on third downs. His 52 receptions for 663 yards and 6 touchdowns include 37 first-down grabs, giving Maye a dependable option when it matters most.
Against a Jets defense that’s been reeling-losing their last three games by an average of 25 points-Maye could be in for another big day. If the Patriots jump out to an early lead, don’t be surprised to see backup Josh Dobbs take some snaps in the fourth quarter to keep Maye fresh for the stretch run.
The Patriots’ offensive balance has also been key, thanks to the one-two punch of rookie TreVeyon Henderson and veteran Rhamondre Stevenson in the backfield. Henderson has been the home-run hitter, averaging 5.2 yards per carry with 776 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns.
He’s broken off six runs of 20-plus yards, including a 69-yard sprint that showcased his burst. But he’s been limited in practice this week due to a concussion, so Stevenson may see the bulk of the carries.
Stevenson isn’t as flashy, but he’s steady. With 425 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 25 catches for 268 yards, he’s the kind of back who keeps the offense on schedule and gives Maye a reliable checkdown option when the pocket collapses.
On the other side, the Jets are scraping together what they can. Injuries have ravaged their offense, and with Justin Fields now on injured reserve due to a knee injury, they’ll turn to Brady Cook under center.
Cook has struggled in limited action, completing 58 of 98 passes for 527 yards, just 1 touchdown, and 6 interceptions. It’s been a tough ask for a young quarterback in a system that’s lacked rhythm all season.
Running back Breece Hall remains one of the few bright spots. He’s closing in on 1,000 yards with 954 on 229 carries, averaging 4.2 yards per rush. Hall’s speed can be a problem if he gets to the second level-he’s already ripped off seven runs of 20 yards or more-but with limited help from the passing game, defenses have been keying in on him all year.
The Jets’ receiving corps-featuring Adonai Mitchell, John Metchie, and Isaiah Williams-hasn’t been able to stretch the field or consistently create separation. That’s made life even tougher for Cook, who’s still trying to find his footing in the NFL.
Bottom line: This is a matchup between a team with everything to play for and a team just trying to get to the offseason. The Patriots are surging at the right time, and with the way Maye is playing, they have every reason to believe they can not only win the AFC East but make a deep playoff run. For the Jets, it’s about evaluating young talent and getting through the final weeks as healthy as possible.