NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-2) at NEW YORK JETS (9-5)
Sunday Dec. 27, 2015 at 1:00 pm at MetLife Stadium
The New England Patriots improved to 12-2 with a 33-16 win against Tennessee last week, becoming the second team in NFL history with at least 12 regular-season wins in six consecutive seasons (2010-15), joining Indianapolis, who posted seven straight 12-win seasons (2003-09).
The win, coupled with Pittsburgh’s win over Denver, clinched New England a first-round playoff bye for an NFL-record sixth straight season. Dallas and San Francisco earned four straight first-round byes from 1992 through 1995. The Patriots lead the NFL with 11 first round-round byes since the current NFL playoff format was instituted in 1990.
With a win this Sunday, the Patriots can secure the number one seed in the AFC Playoff field for the second consecutive season. New England has earned the number one seed five times (2014, 2011, 2010, 2007 and 2003).
WHERE TO WATCH
- Tavern on Broadway turns the volume all the way up on their flat screens and has an amazing football munchies menu.
- Nikolas Pizza runs a great deal. A large one topping pizza, a dozen wings and 60oz pitcher of beer or sangria for $21.95. Full volume on the tv’s and the direct tv package.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TELEVISION: This week’s game will be broadcast by CBS and can be seen locally on WBZ-TV Channel 4 in Boston. Ian Eagle will handle play-by-play duties with Dan Fouts as the color analyst. Evan Washburn will work the sidelines. The game will be produced by Mark Wolff and directed by Bob Fishman.
NATIONAL RADIO: This week’s game will be broadcast to a national audience on ESPN Radio. Marc Kestecher and Bill Polian will call the game. Ian Fitzsimmons will work the sidelines.
LOCAL RADIO: 98.5 FM, The Sports Hub, is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. Play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci will call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis. Produced by Marc Cappello.
PATS AIM FOR SIXTH NO. 1 SEED
The Patriots have earned five number one seeds (2014, 2011, 2010, 2007 and 2003) in the postseason since 1990 the most in the NFL under that system. A win this week will secure the team’s sixth top slot.
SERIES HISTORY
The Patriots and Jets will meet for the 114th time, including three postseason games, since the series between the AFC East rivals began in 1960. It will be the second meeting of the 2015 season. The Patriots beat the Jets, 30-23, at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 25.
The Patriots will be looking for their 17th series sweep and second consecutive sweep, after winning both games against the Jets in 2014.
The Patriots earned their 16th series sweep last year with a 27-25 win on Thursday Night Football at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 16, 2014, and a 17-16 win at the New York Jets on Dec. 21, 2014.
The Patriots lead the series, 59-53-1 overall.
The Patriots are 32-25-1 all-time against the Jets at home, including 1-1 at home in the postseason.
The Patriots are 27-28 all-time on the road against the Jets, including 3-2 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 defeated the Patriots, 28-21, in the 2010 Divisional playoff game.
New England is 29-15 against the Jets since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994.
New England’s 59 overall victories over the Jets (including two playoff wins) are the second most over any single opponent, trailing only Buffalo with 69 all-time wins.
SERIES BREAKDOWN
NEW ENGLAND 59, NEW YORK 53, 1 Tie
(Including New England 2, New York 1 in Playoffs)
Home Record, 32-25-1 (incl. 1-1 in playoffs)
Record in Foxborough, 28-19
Gillette Stadium, 12-4 (incl. 1-1 playoffs)
Foxboro Stadium, 16-15
Record in Boston, 4-5-1
Record in Birmingham, Ala., 0-1
Road Record, 27-28 (incl. 1-0 in playoffs)
MetLife Stadium, 3-2
Giants Stadium, 17-10 (incl. 1-0 playoffs)
Shea Stadium, 5-14
Polo Grounds, 2-2
Seasonal Sweeps, Patriots 16 (most recent ‘14), Jets 14 (‘00)
Bill Belichick vs. N.Y. Jets, 24-11 (23-10 with New England)
BILL BELICHICK AGAINST THE AFC EAST
Bill Belichick has a 73-25 (.745) all-time regular season record against the AFC East as head coach of the Patriots, including a 22-9 record against the Jets. The Patriots are 4-0 against the AFC East in 2015. The Patriots finished with perfect 6-0 records in the AFC East two times under Belichick (2007 and 2012).
TOM BRADY AGAINST THE AFC EAST
As a starter against the AFC East, Tom Brady owns a 68-17 (.800) record. He is 25-3 against Buffalo, 22-6 against the New York Jets, 19-8 against Miami and was 2-0 against Indianapolis when they were in the AFC East (2001 season).
PASSING PERFORMANCES
Tom Brady owns a 21-5 record against the Jets as a starting quarterback in regular-season games.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
The Patriots have clinched the 2015 AFC East championship and a berth in the playoffs. Pittsburgh’s win over Denver clinched a first round bye. The Patriots have earned a first-round bye in an NFL-record six consecutive seasons (2010-2015). Dallas and San Francisco earned four straight byes from 1992 through 1995.The Patriots lead the NFL with 11 first-round byes since the current NFL playoff format was instituted in 1990.
MOST SEASONS EARNING A BYE SINCE 12-TEAM PLAYOFF FORMAT IN 1990
New England 11
Pittsburgh 8
San Francisco 8
Denver 7
