FOXBOROUGH – This has been a remarkable season for the Patriots.
Led by a new head coach, Mike Vrabel’s team stands at 12-3 with two games left in the 2025 NFL season. The Patriots are currently the No. 2 seed in the AFC and have a chance at the top seed if they win their remaining two games and the Denver Broncos drop their season finale to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Before the Patriots can focus on the playoff bracket, they need to take care of business. Next on deck is the lowly New York Jets.
At 3-12, the Jets’ playoff hopes are long gone. If anything, New York is playing for a better draft pick in these final two games. For the Patriots, winning this week brings them closer to winning the AFC East and securing a top spot in the playoffs.
It’s been a remarkable run for Vrabel’s team, and on Sunday, they have a chance to add to their already impressive win total. Here are five things to watch in the matchup:
Seize the day
The Patriots ruled out six starters on Friday. Their team saw 10 players suffer injuries in Baltimore. Still, this matchup shouldn’t be close. An injured Patriots team is still better than this Jets team. The Patriots need to make sure they don’t slip up and suffer an upset. With important playoff seeding and the division title on the line, a loss would hurt in more ways than one.
The Jets have one of the worst offenses in the NFL, ranked 28th in scoring (18.8). The Patriots are tied for sixth (27.3). The Jets have the third-worst defense in the NFL, allowing 28.4 points per game. The Patriots rank seventh (20.0).
Vrabel’s team also has the massive advantage at quarterback with Drake Maye. They’re hurt, but there are no excuses in this one.
Stop the run
The Jets are starting rookie quarterback Brady Cook on Sunday and head into this matchup with the worst passing offense in the NFL. Cook has thrown one touchdown pass and six interceptions this season. That’s why the Jets will rely on the run game to move the ball.
Breece Hall leads the Jets with 954 rushing yards to go with three touchdowns. The Patriots defensive line is hurting. They placed Joshua Farmer on the injured reserve and ruled out Khyris Tonga. Milton Williams won’t be activated off the injured reserve, either. They’ll need others on the defensive line to step up and force the Jets to throw the ball.
Patriots receivers
The Patriots’ receiver position is also hurting. The team won’t have Kayshon Boutte (concussion) or Mack Hollins (abdomen) in Sunday’s matchup. Hollins is third on the Patriots in receiving yards (550) while Boutte is fourth (527). Who will step up?
Without two of their three starting receivers, the Patriots head into Sunday with four receivers on their active roster: Stefon Diggs (869 yards), DeMario Douglas (408 yards), Kyle Williams (189 yards), and Efton Chism III.
This will be a big game for Williams and Chism, who is searching for his first NFL catch. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if the Patriots call up someone from the practice squad, like John Jiles or Jeremiah Webb.
Special teams
The Patriots’ special teams unit struggled in kickoff coverage against the Buffalo Bills three weeks ago. Last weekend in Baltimore, they were better as they limited returns. On Sunday, the Patriots need to be mindful of the Jets’ kickoff return situation.
The Jets head into this weekend ranked first in the NFL in kickoff return average (30.1) and seventh in the NFL in punt return average (13.4).
Jets returner Isaiah Williams is very talented. He ranks second in the NFL in kickoff return average (30.2). He ranks fifth in punt return average (14.1) and is tied for the NFL lead with two punt return touchdowns. The Patriots need to keep him contained.
Team health
The Patriots have already clinched a playoff spot. The big thing to worry about right now is team injuries. Simply put, the Patriots need to stop the bleeding.
In Baltimore, Vrabel’s team had 10 players go down with injuries. This week, they ruled out six starters and had several more limited. The Patriots are hurting right now and really don’t need any more important players to go down with an injury. If they could escape New York healthy, it would be huge going into their last regular-season game.
Prediction: Patriots 33, Jets 19
