If the New England Patriots beat the New York Jets on Sunday in the Meadowlands, they lock up the No. 1 AFC seed in the postseason, which means they wouldn’t need to travel anywhere until a possible trip to Santa Clara, Calif., in early February. Another aspect that made the Patriots’ interest attractive for Belichick was that a head coaching job in New England would ensure that he – for the first time since getting fired as coach of the Cleveland Browns in 1995 – would leave Parcells’ enormous shadow. The Patriots lead the National Football League with 11 first round-round byes since the current National Football League playoff format was instituted in 1990. They close out the year against the Indianapolis Colts, who can still win the subpar AFC South, and the New England Patriots, who may sit some starters if they clinch home-field throughout in NY this Sunday. New England has earned the number one seed five times (2014, 2011, 2010, 2007 and 2003). Full volume on the tv’s and the direct tv package. The game will be produced by Mark Wolff and directed by Bob Fishman.
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United players can’t handle pressure – Van Gaal
The game though was won by the time the second goal went in, and all the home side needed to do was weather a mild storm in order to secure three points.
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Carroll says Lynch won’t return to Seahawks practice this week
If we need him, we can go there…. “Overall, coming in cold in the first series; again, his effort, his energy is not the issue”. We’ll look back at it down the road here and be very appreciative”. “I don’t think we’re able to predict that yet”, Carroll said.
With Bledsoe on the mend, the Patriots called on second-year quarterback Tom Brady to guide the offense. Produced by Marc Cappello. New York DE Muhammad Wilkerson has collected seven sacks in his last five games to push his season total to a career-high 12.3. A win this week will secure the team’s sixth top slot. At one point in this season the Patriots were undefeated and had a nine game win streak. It will be the second meeting of the 2015 season. Powell best ability is that he can hurt defenses in multiple ways and the Jets don’t need him to put up huge numbers, just enough to make a handful of impact plays and command the the Patriots attention to open things up for his teammates.
“Cowboys”™ Bryant, Claiborne will not play against Bills
The Bills can be assured that Dallas will come out relaxed and ready to open up the playbook for the remainder of their season. They were out of contention – and without an injured Romo – when Garrett took over for the fired Wade Phillips at 1-7 in 2010.
That’s a big question heading into Sunday – and he’ll be tested right out of the gates against a Jets rush defense that gives up 82.8 rushing yards per game, second-lowest in the NFL.
The weekend’s first game with playoff implications kicks off tonight, as the Washington Redskins hope to clinch the NFC East crown with a win over division rival Philadelphia.
Dave D’Onofrio covers the Patriots for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News.
The Patriots are 27-28 all-time on the road against the Jets, including 3-2 at MetLife Stadium.
Brady seemed optimistic. Upon meeting his newest teammate – the 75th player to be on or off the team’s 53-man roster this season – Brady said: “It’s just what you’d expect”.
They’ll also have to do so against a Jets team fighting for their postseason lives. They are tied with Pittsburgh and Kansas City for the two wild-card spots but if all three teams win out, NY (9-5) would be home for the playoffs. The Patriots finished with ideal 6-0 records in the AFC East two times under Belichick (2007 and 2012). The Jets are going to have to contain Rob Gronkowski in this contest if they want to win, though.
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As always pressure Brady up the middle – The Patriots like to mix up their game plans so much every week and they do it better than anyone but there’s a reason why every opponent they play has to stick with a game plan that will allow them to pressure Tom Brady up the middle, it’s the only thing that ever works. With the Oakland Raiders headed to Arrowhead in Week 17, the Chiefs would have to feel confident about winning and having a shot at the AFC West.
