Let’s not beat around the bush here – the Patriots’ most important game by far this week is its own home contest against the New York Jets.
Division games are always tricky, regardless of whether the playoffs are still an option for both squads. The Jets (4-11) haven’t sniffed the postseason in eight years, but they’d surely love nothing more than to end their season on a high note with a win over their archrivals.
Doing so would not only threaten the Patriots’ chances of obtaining a first-round bye; it could also be a fitting send-off for Jets head coach Todd Bowles, who is not expected to return to the team in 2019.