Patriots vs. Jets 2015 picks and predictions: New England slightly favored in critical AFC East game

A lot more than bragging rights are on the line when the New York Jets host their bitter rivals, the New England Patriots, in Week 16. New England can clinch homefield advantage in the AFC with a win here.

Despite being 9-5 and winning four games in a row, the Jets are on the outside looking in with the Pittsburgh Steelers jumping them in the AFC Wild Card picture last week. Winning their final two games is imperative, but it’s a bumpy ride with the Patriots this week and the Buffalo Bills in Week 17. New York and New England last met in Week 7, with the Patriots pulling off a 30-23 win.

Fortunately for the Jets, they’ve been playing their best football of the year thanks to Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker being a formidable trio on offense. However, they hit a significant speed bump against the Dallas Cowboys last Saturday. Despite escaping with the 19-16 win, the Jets looked incredibly vulnerable in that game.

New England did what it always does against inferior competition, which was grind down the Tennessee Titans with a 33-16 victory. Despite losing LeGarrette Blount for the year with a hip injury, they got by just fine with James White, Brandon Bolden and somebody named Joey Iosefa. Rob Gronkowski is close to full health, although they’re still missing Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola got re-injured in Week 15. But is anyone going to count out Touchdown Tom Brady at this point?

NFL experts mostly side with the Patriots on this game, with seven of eight writers at CBS Sports picking them. Things are a lot closer here at SB Nation, where there is an even 4-4 split between the Patriots and Jets.