NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-3) at NEW YORK JETS (5-10)
Sunday, December 31, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Gillette Stadium (65,878)
PATRIOTS: Download Release | **Roster** | **Depth Chart** | **Watch Games**
JETS: Opponent Release| **Roster** | **Depth Chart**
The New England Patriots stayed on track for the top seed in the AFC playoff field after improving to 12-3 with a 37-16 victory over the visiting Buffalo Bills. The Patriots have now won 12 games for an NFL-record eight straight seasons, moving past the Indianapolis Colts, who won 12 games seven straight seasons from 2003 through 2009. The Patriots earned a first-round bye in the 2017 playoffs and lead the NFL with 13 first-round byes since the current format was instituted in 1990. The Patriots earned a first round bye for the eighth consecutive season. A win over the Jets on Sunday will give the Patriots the top seed and home-field advantage for the seventh time, the most since 1990.
SEEKING THE TOP SEED IN THE AFC
The Patriots have earned six number one seeds (2016, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2007 and 2003) in the postseason since 1990, the most in the NFL under that system. The NFL began playoff seeding in 1975 and the current playoff format was instituted in 1990.
SERIES HISTORY
The Patriots and Jets will meet for the 118th time, including three postseason games, since the series between the AFC East rivals began in 1960. It will be the final of two 2017 meetings. The Patriots defeated the Jets, 24-17, at MetLife Stadium on October 15. New England is seeking its 18th series sweep over the Jets.
The Patriots lead the series, 62-54-1 overall.
New England is 33-25-1 all-time against the Jets at home, including 1-1 at home in the postseason and 12-3 at Gillette Stadium in the regular season.
The Patriots are 29-29 all-time on the road against the Jets, including 5-3 at MetLife Stadium.
The teams have played in the postseason three times – a 1985 Wild Card game, a 2006 Wild Card game and an AFC Divisional game in 2010. New England beat the Jets, 26-14, in 1985 at the Meadowlands on their way to Super Bowl XX. In 2006, the Patriots defeated the Jets, 37-16, at Gillette Stadium and the Jets beat the Patriots, 28-21, in the 2010 Divisional playoff game.
New England is 33-16 against the Jets since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994.
New England's 62 overall victories over the Jets (including two playoff wins) are the second most over any single opponent, trailing only Buffalo with 71 alltime wins.
Tale of the Tape
| 2017 Regular Season | **New England** | **N.Y. Jets** |
| Record | 12-3 | 5-10 |
| Divisional Standings | 1st | 4th |
| Total Yards Gained | 5,977 | 4,637 |
| Total Offense (Rank) | 398.5 (1) | 309.1 (24) |
| Rush Offense | 116.1 (13t) | 110-.8 (17) |
| Pass Offense | 282.3 (1) | 198.3 (24) |
| Points Per Game | 28.8 (3) | 19.5 (22) |
| Touchdowns Scored | 46 | 32 |
| Third Down Conversion Pct. | 41.7 | 37.5 |
| Team Passer Rating | 104.3 | 87.1 |
| Total Yards Allowed | 5,609 | 5,306 |
| Total Defense (Rank) | 373.9 (29) | 353.7 (24) |
| Rush Defense | 119.7 (26) | 116.0 (19) |
| Pass Defense | 254.2 (29) | 237.7 (22) |
| Points Allowed/Game | 19.3 (7) | 23.7 (23) |
| Touchdowns Allowed | 33 | 43 |
| Third Down Defense (Pct.) | 41.8 | 37.9 |
| Field Goals Made/Attempted | 36/39 | 23/27 |
| Possession Avg. | 30:20 | 30:14 |
| Sacks Allowed/Yards Lost | 33/189 | 43/294 |
| Sacks Made/Yards | 38/274 | 26/143 |
| Passing TD/Int. (Off.) | 30/8 | 19/12 |
| Passing TD/Int. (Def.) | 24/12 | 28/11 |
| Penalties Against/Yards | 91/786 | 110/951 |
| Punts/Avg. | 50/43.5 | 87/46.6 |
| Takeaway/Giveaway Ratio | +6 (8t) | -4 (23) |
SERIES BREAKDOWN
NEW ENGLAND 62, NEW YORK 54, 1 Tie
(Including New England 2, New York 1 in Playoffs)
Home Record, 33-25-1 (incl. 1-1 in playoffs)
- Record in Foxborough, 29-19
- Gillette Stadium, 13-4 (incl. 1-1 playoffs)
- Foxboro Stadium, 16-15
- Record in Boston, 4-5-1
- Record in Birmingham, Ala., 0-1
Road Record, 29-29 (incl. 1-0 in playoffs)
- MetLife Stadium, 5-3
- Giants Stadium, 17-10 (incl. 1-0 playoffs)
- Shea Stadium, 5-14
- Polo Grounds, 2-2
Seasonal Sweeps, Patriots 17 (most recent '16), Jets 14 ('00),
Bill Belichick vs. N.Y. Jets, 27-13 (26-11 with New England)
BELICHICK AGAINST THE AFC EAST
Bill Belichick has a 82-29 (.739) all-time regular season record against the AFC East as head coach of the Patriots, including a 26-11 record against the Jets.
PASSING PERFORMANCES
Tom Brady owns a 24-6 record against the Jets as a starting quarterback in regular-season games.
BRADY GOOD VS. JETS
Tom Brady has 24 regular season wins against the New York Jets as a starter and joins Brett Favre as the only quarterbacks with at least 23 wins against two divisional opponents.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TELEVISION:This week's game will be broadcast by CBS and can be seen locally on WBZ-TV Channel 4 in Boston. Jim Nantzwill handle play-by-play duties with Tony Romo as the color analyst. Tracy Wolfson will work the sidelines. The game will be produced by Jim Rikhoff and directed by Mike Arnold.
RADIO: 98.5 FM, The Sports Hub, is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. A complete listing of the network's 40 stations can be found here. Play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci will call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis. The games are produced by Marc Cappello.
