After securing a playoff berth with a win in Baltimore, the New England Patriots are set to play their final regular-season road game against the New York Jets at the Meadowlands this Sunday. While the Jets have only three wins this season, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel emphasized that special teams could play a significant role.
“Special teams have been a very, very strong point for these guys,” Vrabel said. “Great scheme, excellent players, very good returners. We’ll have to cover with a purpose this week. Obviously, they have a running back that really runs through arm tackles, and has done a great job of doing that. So, as much as they kick away from Kene [Nwangwu], now [Isaiah] Williams is getting a lot of those. So, we’ll have to make sure that we’re good, that the space is limited, and again, one guy’s probably not going to be able to get him down. So, making sure that we’re matching everything that they do from a special teams standpoint. Critical phase.”
The Patriots are still competing for the AFC East title and potential seeding advantages in the playoffs. Victories over both the Jets and Dolphins would secure them the division crown. Depending on other results—such as if Buffalo loses to Philadelphia—the Patriots could clinch even sooner.
Quarterback Drake Maye had an efficient performance against the Jets earlier in Week 11, completing 25-of-34 passes for 281 yards and one touchdown while excelling against zone coverage schemes. The Jets’ defense has undergone changes since then; Chris Harris is now serving as interim defensive coordinator after Steve Wilks’ departure under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn.
On offense for New York, rookie quarterback Brady Cook has taken over starting duties following Justin Fields’ benching. Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand continues to call plays but has struggled to find consistency due in part to injuries and personnel changes—most notably star receiver Garrett Wilson being out and recent trades involving CB Sauce Gardner and DT Quinnen Williams.
The Jets’ most productive area remains their run game behind running back Breece Hall and an offensive line featuring two first-round tackles: Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou. As Vrabel noted: “They move people. I like the way they play. I like their play demeanor. They’ve got two really good, young, talented tackles. Guards try to finish you. So again, they’ve got speed, Breece Hall can make you miss.”
Injuries continue to affect both squads heading into Sunday’s matchup; several Patriots remain questionable or in concussion protocol while defensive tackle Milton Williams may return after missing four games.
Key individual matchups include left tackle Vederian Lowe versus Jets edge rusher Will McDonald IV—who leads his team in sacks—and cornerback Christian Gonzalez facing wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
As both teams approach Sunday’s game with different objectives—the Patriots aiming for postseason readiness and improved seeding while the Jets look toward rebuilding—the outcome will impact divisional standings heading into Week 18.
