Pats head to New York with AFC East, perfect road record within reach
The New England Patriots will look to continue their road dominance Sunday when they visit the New York Jets in Week 17.
New England clinched a playoff berth and improved its road record to 7-0 when it beat Baltimore 28-24 last Sunday night. The Patriots, who will play the Dolphins at home next weekend, have finished the regular season unbeaten in away games twice: 2007 (8-0) and 2016 (8-0).
"We've got to focus on this week and going on the road to a great environment, going to New York City, play the Jets and unfinished business," Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said. "We want to be undefeated on the road. I think that that's something that's unique. I'm sure you guys will tell me how many times it's happened before, but there you go. So, that's something that I think is special."
The Patriots (12-3) can clinch the AFC East title if they defeat the Jets and Buffalo either loses or ties Philadelphia on Sunday.
New England quarterback Drake Maye will enter Sunday's matchup with the best completion percentage (70.9%) of any NFL quarterback this season. He said the Patriots' final two games will be treated just like the first 15.
"It's as simple as go win the division," he said. "That's what the goal was. It wasn't to make the playoffs. It was to win the division, and that's what we're going to try to do."
The offseason can't arrive soon enough for the Jets (3-12), who will be trying to end a three-game losing streak. Jets coach Aaron Glenn said undrafted rookie Brady Cook will again be New York's starting quarterback Sunday. Cook has passed for 527 yards and one touchdown with six interceptions in three games this season. Starting QB Justin Fields (knee) was placed on injured reserve earlier this week, ending his season.
"I think as a young quarterback it's important to be critical of yourself," Cook said. "These are very important reps, moments and opportunities for me.
"We need to find ways to push the ball down the field, create explosives and score the football. This game is about scoring points."
The Jets are last in the NFL in passing yards per game (145.9) and will be facing a New England defense that ranks 11th in passing yards allowed per contest (202).
"Usually, and I know this as a (former) defensive coordinator myself, when you have a rookie quarterback in there, you're going to do everything you can to stop the run and force him to throw," Glenn said. "On the defensive side, we have to figure out a way to slow down this quarterback (Maye) because he's playing at a high level."
The Patriots beat the Jets 27-14 in the first meeting between the teams this season. After New York scored first, running back TreVeyon Henderson helped New England take a 21-7 lead with two touchdown runs and a TD catch.
Henderson played 14 snaps before leaving last Sunday's victory over Baltimore with a head injury. He was placed in concussion protocol and was a limited participant in practice Wednesday. New England had eight players who didn't participate in Wednesday's practice: wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (concussion protocol), cornerback Carlos Davis III (illness), tight end CJ Dippre (illness), wide receiver Mack Hollis (abdomen), linebackers Robert Spillane (ankle) and Harold Landry III (knee), defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga (foot) and guard Jared Wilson (concussion protocol).
In addition to Fields, the Jets had four players who did not practice Wednesday: linebacker Francisco Mauigoa (neck), edge rusher Will McDonald IV (knee), tight end Mason Taylor (neck) and defensive lineman Jay Tufele (foot).