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WHEN the Patriots won the first meeting with the Jets in October in Foxborough 3023, it was the first time since the Buttfumble Blowout of Thanksgiving 2012, that a JetsPats game had been decided by more than three points. In 2013, it was Pats 1310 and Jets 3027 in OT. In 2014, it was Pats 2725 and 1716. Even in this most recent matchup, the Jets had a 2016 lead in the fourth quarter.
The Patriots can clinch home field throughout the AFC playoffs with a win Sunday, but seeding doesn’t usually seem to be as much of an incentive in these lateseason games as survival, which is the Jets’ predicament. And rarely do teams with 95 records have winordone games in Week 16.
The pick: Jets +3.
VIKINGS (5 ¹/₂) over Giants: A lot depends on whether the Redskins win Saturday night. If the Giants have been eliminated, this one could get ugly, especially with Odell Beckham Jr. suspended. Even if the Giants are still alive, you wonder what Eli Manning would be able to do without OBJ.
RAIDERS (6) over Chargers (Thursday): Never mind the final score of 3729 in Week 7 — the Raiders led 376 after three quarters in that game. This could be the Raiders’ last game at the Black Hole, and it’s going to be all kinds of crazy.
Redskins (+3) over EAGLES (Saturday): Each team controls its own destiny — Redskins get in if they win, Eagles get in if they win two. But the Eagles have had three games in their last five in which they have lost 4517 (vs. Buccaneers), 4515 (at Lions) and 4017 (vs. Cardinals). Kirk Cousins’ edge over Sam Bradford looks clear at this point.
Bears (+3) over BUCCANEERS: The Bears haven’t played in Tampa since 2005, but they historically own the crowd when they go there. Figuring that will get them up when there’s not much motivation for either side.
FALCONS (+7) over Panthers: It was 380 Carolina just two weeks ago, but in the short time in between, Ron Rivera saw Cam Newton limp off the field and clutch his shoulder at Met-Life Stadium. He also has seen there’s no glory in going undefeated in the regular season if it doesn’t come with a Super Bowl ring.
Cowboys (+6) over BILLS: Rex Ryan’s Jets teams always played hard for him, even rallying to save his job in 2013. He doesn’t seem to have the same relationship with this Bills bunch. Cowboys at least will enjoy the post-Christmas 47degree Orchard Park air.
Jaguars (+3¹/₂) over SAINTS: Don’t like the sound of Drew Brees trying to play meaningless games with a torn plantar fascia in his right foot. Jags are 15 on the road, but five of those were decided by seven points or fewer.
LIONS (9 ¹/₂) over 49ers: Lions have won four of their last six, one loss on the Packers’ Hail Mary. The 49ers are 16 on the road, their losses by an average of 19.8 points per game.
CHIEFS (12) over Browns: Chiefs will be going fullbore, with a chance to catch the Broncos for the AFC West crown. They have won eight in a row by an average of 13.1 ppg, and the four home games in that span have been won by 16.8 ppg.
DOLPHINS (1 ¹/₂) over Colts: I know ... the Dolphins haven’t covered a game in the last five weeks. But the Colts have been outscored 11236 in losing their last three, and Matt Hasselbeck said, “I’ve got nothing left” after last week’s game.
Texans (2) over TITANS: This is backup/ thirdstring QB city, but the Texans still have the best player on the field when they’re on offense (DeAndre Hopkins) and defense (J.J. Watt).
Packers (+4) over CARDINALS: Both teams have clinched their respective divisions and have the same motivation (a firstround bye, which the Packers can still steal from the Cardinals). The spread going north of a field goal tilted this pick, but it’s the toughest one on the board.
Rams (+13) over SEAHAWKS: Don’t usually mind giving big points with Pete Carroll because he’s never hesitant to run up the score. But the ’Hawks are locked in to a wildcard spot, and that’s not conducive to laying this kind of number.
Steelers (10) over RAVENS: This is an unheardof spread for SteelersRavens, but no one is coming close to stopping the Steelers’ offense, and the Ravens have few healthy stars left to try.
MONDAY NIGHT
BRONCOS (3 ¹/₂) over Bengals: Prime time, at Mile High, against a desperate Denver team with the league’s No. 1 yardage defense — a tough spot for A.J. McCarron to make his second NFL start. BEST BETS: Lions, Falcons, Steelers
LOCK OF THE WEEK: Lions (Locks 59 in 2015) LAST WEEK: 79 overall, 12 Best Bets dblezow@nypost.com