Patriot could clinch home advantage throughout AFC playoffs with win today
Foxborough, Mass. — Patriots coach Bill Belichick has long said he feels he isn't able to ascertain the identity of his team until after the Thanksgiving holiday.
After stumbling out of the gate to begin the season, his team has been among the NFL's most resilient groups in the second half.
Now, after a huge road win in Week 15 at Pittsburgh, New England (12-3) finds itself in an enviable position heading into today's finale against the Jets (5-10).
With a win or Steelers loss, the Patriots clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
"Always a tough game playing against the Jets, no matter when it is," safety and defensive captain Devin McCourty said.
Belichick said there was nothing brought up about the No. 1 seed this week. McCourty said it wouldn't have affected their preparation either way.
"Whatever comes with it, comes with it," McCourty said. "I think, for us, the biggest thing is playing well. It's that time of the year where you don't want to go out there and just not be prepared, not go and play a good game."
A New England win would also mark another milestone in Belichick's career.
With 249 career victories, he could tie Tom Landry (250) for third all-time among head coaches. Don Shula is first with 328 wins, followed by George Halas (318).
Jets coach Todd Bowles said he isn't worried about having to find ways to motivate his team this week, even with its postseason prospects long gone.
"We've got some prideful guys and we fight and we understand where we are, but that doesn't mean we don't try to go out and win every ballgame, and this week will be no different for us," he said.
Here are some other things JETS AT PATRIOTS 1 p.m., Gillette Stadium (Ch. 3)
to watch for in today's regular-season finale between the Jets and Patriots:
New addition: The Patriots' defense has battled injuries this season. It is now hoping to get a boost after acquiring former Steelers linebacker James Harrison . Harrison was released by Pittsburgh last week.
Keeping warm: Early during his career Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said he wore a scuba top underneath his jersey to keep warm in extremely cold weather games. It's a tip that's been utilized by other players around the league in recent seasons.
The game-time temperature for Foxborough is forecast to be 14 degrees Sunday. McCourty said that practicing outside in New England's frosty elements should help them.
"I think us being in that environment kind of prepares you mentally and physically for when it comes Sunday," he said. "Then you throw on top of it that it's a game and not practice, so your adrenaline is running even more. Honestly, dealing with the cold is easier on game day than it is day to day in practice."
Hack into game? Bryce Petty will make his third straight start for the Jets, but Bowles wouldn't rule out the possibility of Christian Hackenberg making his regular-season debut. "We'll see," Bowles said. The second-year quarterback has been active for only four games, including the last two, since being taken in the second round out of Penn State. Hackenberg took some first-team snaps this week for the first time, indicating that Bowles might have some intentions of seeing what the young QB can do in the season finale.
Mo's last stand: Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson was inactive last Sunday against the Chargers a week after getting benched for being late for a team meeting. It's possible he has played his last game with New York.
A first-round pick in 2011, Wilkerson is due to make $16.75 million next year — and the money would become fully guaranteed if he remains on the roster on the third day of the NFL's new year in March. But it is also guaranteed against injury, so the Jets could be on the hook if Wilkerson gets hurt in the season finale.
Bowles was noncommittal on whether Wilkerson, who practiced this week and last, will suit up for the game.
"We'll make that decision Sunday," Bowles said.
East Rutherford, N.J. — The Washington Redskins had better take one last look at the New York Giants because this is a team that is going to look a lot different next season.
There is going to be a new coach, possibly a quarterback other than Eli Manning, and definitely a ton of new faces on the roster after a wreck of a season when many felt the Giants would challenge for another Super Bowl.
Some of the change has already started. Former Panthers executive Dave Gettleman, who spent 15 seasons with the Giants, was hired as general manager on Thursday, replacing the fired Jerry Reese.
The Redskins (7-8) will try to finish their third straight campaign with a .500 record or better when they face the reeling Giants (2-13) today in the regular-season finale for both teams.
The only thing the teams have in common will be missing the playoffs. The Redskins have made it once (2015) under coach Jay Gruden, and three times since 2007. The Giants have gone to the postseason once (2016) since winning the NFL title after the 2011 season.
"First and foremost, we want to go out and win," said Giants punter Brad Wing, one of the many who had a subpar REDSKINS AT GIANTS 1 p.m., Metlife Stadium (Ch. 61)
season. "I also think guys are aware it is going to be very different next year and there will be a lot of changes made."
After 14 seasons, Manning is facing an uncertain future for the first time, especially if the Giants use a high draft pick to take a quarterback. With the firing of second-year coach Ben McAdoo along with Reese on Dec. 4, there will be a new coaching staff.
"We're chasing the feeling of what it feels like to be in the locker room after a win and all that goes into all that," said Giants interim coach Steve Spagnuolo, who is 0-3 since taking over. "That's what we are chasing. Hopefully we can get there."
The Redskins also disappointed. They just missed the playoffs in 2016, but never got close this year. Their goal eventually changed from the playoffs to a .500 or bust motto.
"Well, if we lose it, it ruins my next two weeks. I want to enjoy those two weeks," said quarterback Kirk Cousins, whose future also is uncertain. "I haven't been a part of a season yet where we won the last game.
“We made the playoffs (then) we lost. Then we went 3-13, 4-12 and last year lost in the last game. So I want to walk away from a season with a win."
The Giants fired Marc Ross on Saturday, the team's vice president of player evaluation for the last five seasons.
Gettleman announced the move, his first since rejoining the franchise.
Ross had been with the Giants since 2007, serving six years as director of college scouting. Ross had been in charge of the Giants' draft, along with previous GM Jerry Reese, who was let go this month.
Ross was one of four candidates to interview for the general manager position.