What to Watch For: Patriots vs. Jets
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
What to Watch For: Patriots vs. Jets
"They really do everything well as a team. They're a very good, physical team, run the ball, stop the run, play good defense, balanced on offense, throw the ball well, good in the kicking game, good situational team, very good in the red area, just play good situational football in general, not penalized much, don't make a lot of mistakes, turn the ball over a lot on defense, plus turnover ratio, so that has served them well this year," said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick earlier this week.
See the What to Watch For Slideshow Below
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For the Patriots it is pretty simple. If the Patriots win, they clinch the overall number one seed in the AFC.
New England has already clinched the AFC East and clinched a first round bye with the Steelers beating the Broncos last week, clinched a first round bye. All that is left is the number one seed.
Meanwhile for the Jets, they have to win this game or else their season is over.
"Just take every week as it comes. We can't do anything about it. We don't control our own destiny. We're just trying to get better each week, so we're just going to work on the Patriots this week and try to get better from there," said Jets head coach Todd Bowles.
Amazingly, the Jets could win out, meaning they would end the season on a six game winning streak, and still not make the playoffs.
The Jets along with winning, need the Steelers or Kansas City to lose one of the last two games.
The Patriots and Jets are set to kick off at 1 p.m.
See What to Watch For in the Slideshow Below
What to Watch For: Patriots vs. Jets
Steven Jackson
Earlier this week, the New England Patriots signed running back Steven Jackson to a one year contract.
Jackson has not played an NFL game since the end of last season when he finished averaging 2.7 yards per carry for the Atlanta Falcons.
How much action will Jackson see against the Jets and how much does Jackson have left in the tank overall?
Jamie Collins
Since returning to action in week 13 after being sick, Jamie Collins continues to get better every week.
In his three games back, Collins has 11 tackles and last week had an interception and return for 51 yards.
Collins is a critical part of the Patriots defense because he can do so much. Collins can go after the quarterback, contribute to the run defense but also can play in coverage.
Skeleton Roster
It appears Bill Belichick will have to dig deep into the depth chart for this game because as Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman, Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty have all been ruled OUT. Others like Hightower, Chandler and LaFell are listed as questionable.
The Patriots are in an interesting position of course because they have already clinched a first round bye so if players are borderline as to playing or not playing, the team will likely lean toward sitting players.
New England has to win on of the last two games to clinch the number one seed in the AFC and while that is important, health is more important.
Pressure on Fitzpatrick
Last week, the Patriots defensive line was dominant against a Titans team that failed to do anything on offense.
This week, the Patriots will look to follow up that performance with a big one against Ryan Fitzpatrick.
The last time the Patriots saw Fitzpatrick, he threw for 295 yards with two touchdowns and a QB rating of 98. Fitzpatrick does have four fumbles on the season so if guys like Chandler Jones, Jabaal Sheard and Rob Ninkovich can get to him, there may be a chance for turnovers.
Butler vs. Decker
The marquee matchup of this game will be Malcolm Butler against Jets receiver Eric Decker.
Decker is the Jets go to guy in crucial situations, like 3rd and 5's or similar situations. Decker averages 5.5 catches per game and 13 yards per catch.
Malcolm Butler was just selected to his first pro bowl and throughout this season has taken the other teams best receiver and held them in check for the most part.
If Butler can keep Decker in check in this game, the Patriots defense will be in good shape.
