In one way, the Jets and New England are alike as they head into their regular-season finale on Sunday — both AFC East teams have lost two of their last three games.
But that's where the similarity ends. The Jets are 4-11 and heading home after this game while the Patriots are 10-5 and are heading for the postseason.
Jets head coach Todd Bowles gave his typical hard edge to the prospects of trying pay back the Pats after losing to them at home five weeks ago, 27-13.
"We're just trying to win a game, same as every week," he said "Same approach, same feeling."
And Bowles is not one to bemoan the inequity of the Jets every year since 2002 looking up at the Patriots in the standings at this time of year.
"We're just trying to unseat the Patriots on Sunday," he said, "and we'll worry about the coming years in the coming years."
The Jets at least have gotten over their midseason doldrums. They're scoring again and making their games competitive. They've lost six one-score games this season and 13 in the last two seasons, their most in back-to-back seasons in franchise history.
They'll need to take that competitive nature, and rookie QB Sam Darnold's maturation, and S Jamal Adams' ascendance, and a hoped-for close game at Gillette Stadium into the offseason to gird themselves for a run for loftier heights in 2019.
Here are seven more points of interest for Sunday's Jets-Patriots affair (1 p.m. ET kickoff):
1. Rivalry's Tough Road
It's been nine miles of hard road for the Jets in the rivalry. They're 54-64-1 in the overall series, 25-34-1 at the Patriots, and 0-7 at "The Razor" since their 28-21 conquest in the 2010 playoffs. It's only fair to note they're not the only team to struggle in the Massachusetts countryside. New England has won its last 14 at home, including last year's two playoff games, during which span they've outscored opponents by an average of about 30-16. Another one of those 14 wins was by 26-6 over the Green & White in last year's regular-season finale. If the 2018 Jets have one more big game in them, this is the time.
Take a Look Through Top Photos from the AFC East Rivalry
New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes makes a touchdown catch in front of New England Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington during the second half of an NFL divisional football playoff game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Jets Larry Grantham (60) during a game against the Boston Patriots on October 26,1969 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The New York Jets beat the Boston Patriots 23-17. Larry Grantham played for 13 season all with the New York Jets and was a 5-time Pro Bowler.(David Durochik via AP)
New England Patriots linebacker Roman Phifer, center, and Lawyer Milloy (36) bring down New York Jets' Curtis Martin (28) in the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 23, 2001, in Foxboro, Mass. The Jets won 10-3. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New York Jets safety Jim Leonhard celebrates beating the New England Patriots during a NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday September 20, 2009 (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Jets Emerson Boozer (32) during a game against the Boston Patriots on October 26,1969 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The New York Jets beat the Boston Patriots 23-17. Emerson Boozer played for 10 season all with the Jets and was a 2-time Pro BowlerNew York Jets Emerson Boozer (32) and Boston Patriots John Charles (25) during a game against the Boston Patriots on October 26,1969 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The New York Jets beat the Boston Patriots 23-17. Emerson Boozer played for 10 season all with the Jets and was a 2-time Pro Bowler.(David Durochik via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan is dropped behind the line of scrimmage by New York Jets Lawrence Pillers, right, in the fourth quarter of their game at Shea Stadium in New York, Dec. 10, 1979. Jets quashed Pats playoff hopes, 27-16. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
New York Jets Joe Klecko has New England Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan on the run during first quarter action at Schaefer Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Nov. 15, 1981. (AP Photo/Paul Benoit)
New England Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson (52) assists in stopping New York Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet (80) during an NFL game at the Meadowland in East Rutherford, N.J., Sept. 11, 2000. The Jets defeated the Patriots 20-19. (AP Photo/NFL Photos/Evan Pinkus)
New York Jets Al Toon (88) gets a pass from teammate Ken O'Brien and turns things upside down for New England Patriots Steve Nelson (57) during the first half of the game at New Jersey's Giants Stadium, Nov. 24, 1985. The Jets stayed above the Pats to win 16-13. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)
Alabama All-American Joe Namath (12) pivots to handoff to former Princeton halfback Cosmo Iacavazzi (31) as the two New York Jets rookies make their pro debut against the Boston Patriots in Lowell, Mass., July 29, 1965. Namath, making his first start after knee surgery, led the Jets to a 23-6 victory by tossing two touchdown passes. (AP Photo/J. Walter Green)
FILE - In this Sept. 26, 1993, file photo, New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drew Bledsoe (11) gets sacked by New York Jets free safety Ronnie Lott (42), who stripped away the ball and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Jets, in the second quarter of an NFL game in East Rutherford, N.J. Bledsoe and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Rick Mirer were drafted back-to-back as No. 1 and 2. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
New England Patriots quarterback Hugh Millen is sacked by Scott Mersereau (94) and Marvin Washington (97) of the New York Jets for a loss of nine yards during the second quarter of their NFL game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Oct. 5, 1992. The Jets got their first win of the season, beating the win-less Patriots, 30-21. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason (7) sets up to pass during an NFL game against the New England Patriots, Oct. 16, 1994. The Jets defeated the Patriots 24-17 at Giants Stadium. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
New York Jets safety Eric Smith (33) and linebacker David Harris (52) tackle New England Patriots' BenJarvus Green-Ellis during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards (17) is tackled by New England Patriots cornerback Darius Butler (28) after a catch during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Jets linebacker David Harris (52) returns an interception against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller celebrates with fans after the Jets' 28-21 win over the New England Patriots in an NFL divisional playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Jets Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath (12) turns to handoff to running back Emerson Boozer (32) during game against the New England Patriots, Oct. 15, 1972. The Jets defeated the Patriots 41-13 at Schaefer Stadium. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
New York Jets' Antonio Cromartie (31) makes an interception and is tackled by New England Patriots' Randy Moss (81) trails the play during the third quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis celebrates his team's 28-21 win over the New England Patriots in an NFL divisional playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (89) gets the ball into the end zone as he is hit by New England Patriots cornerback Deltha O'Neal during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of New England Patriots' Malcolm Butler (21) during the overtime period of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 26-20. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Tommy Funchess (73) of the Boston Patriots closes in on New York Jets' John Sample (24) after he recovered a fumble by Patriots R.C. Gamble in first half action in Birmingham on Sept. 22, 1968. The Jets managed a field goal as a result of the fumble. (AP Photo/Charles Kelly)
New England Patriots' Devin McCourty (32) and Pat Chung (25) chase New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson (21) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) intercepts the ball as New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss (81) attempts to catch the pass from teammate Tom Brady during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Jets running back Leon Washington (29) breaks a tackle by New England Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas (96) while rushing the ball during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New England Patriots' BenJarvus Green-Ellis (42) is tackled by New York Jets' David Harris (52) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets Al Toon, dark jersey, is tackled by New England Patriots Fred Marion, left, and Ernest Gibson during first quarter action at Sullivan Stadium, Foxboro, Mass., Oct. 12, 1986. (AP Photo/Jim MacMillan)
Ron Berger (88), Boston Patriots end, pushes aside a New York Jets blocker to get at Lee White, carrying ball, for a gain in third quarter of their game at Harvard Stadium, Sept. 27, 1970, Boston, Mass. Jets won 31-21. The rest of the players are unidentified. (AP Photo/LG)
New York Jets running back Kevan Barlow (32) gets by New England Patriots linebacker Rosevelt Colvin (59) as Barlow picks up a first down during fourth quarter action of their football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006. The Jets defeated the Patriots 17-14. Jets guard Brandon Moore (65) follows the play at left. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New York Jets safety Kerry Rhodes (25) celebrates a fourth quarter interception by teammate Eric Coleman (26) during the Jets 17-14 win over the New England Patriots in a NFL game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Jets running back Curtis Martin (28) stiff-arms and gets away from New England Patriots defender Chris Slade (53) as he gains yardage during first half NFL action at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 15, 2000. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New York Jets place kicker Jay Feely (3) is mobbed by teammates as Brad Smith (16) celebrates while New England Patriots Mike Vrabel, right, walks off the field after Feely's winning field goal in overtime won the game 34-31 in an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass. Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits on the ground as the New York Jets walk off the field after Brady was sacked on the last play of the football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006. The Jets defeated the Patriots 17-14 as the Pats lost their second straight home game. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New York Jets defensive end Joe Klecko (73) sheds the block of Patriots offensive tackle Dwight Wheeler in a 24 to 28 New England Patriots loss to the New York Jets on Oct. 11, 1981 at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Boston Patriot Sid Blanks (22) is tackled by New York Jet Mike Battle while running back the first period kickoff during game at Shea Stadium, Sunday Nov. 23, 1970, New York. Jets won a 17-3 victory. The rest of the players are unidentified. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles, right, catches a pass in the end zone behind New England Patriots cornerback Leonard Myers (25) and safety Victor Green (27) in the first quarter in Foxboro, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002. (AP Photo/Jim Rogash)
New York Jets running back Curtis Martin rushes for 17 yards and a first down in the first quarter against the New England Patriots Sunday, Dec. 27, 1998 in East Rutherford, N.J. Martin rushed 29 times for 102 yards in the Jets 31-10 victory.(AP Photo/John Dunn)
New England Patriots' Richard Seymour (93) and Rosevelt Colvin, center, pursue New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington (10) as Pennington runs the ball in for a touchdown in the second quarter, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Foxboro, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New York Jets cornerback Ty Law (24) defends against Deion Branch during the first half of their NFL game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) celebrates with fans after catching a pass for a touchdown during the overtime period of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots unday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 26-20. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
2. Tom by the Numbers
This isn't one of Tom Brady's most dominant seasons. His TD rate (4.7% of his passes) is his lowest in five years, his INT rate (2.0%) his highest in seven years, his passer rating (95.4) his lowest in five years, his losses (5) the most since 2009, his drive metrics tamer. Add to that the loss of WR Josh Gordon to an NFL suspension and WR Cordarrelle Patterson's sore knee and that means the Patriots are vulnerable, right? Hardly. Their offense is fifth in the NFL in total yards and eighth in points. And in Tom's last 16 starts vs. the Jets at Gillette, he's thrown 25 TD passes to four INTs, has a 95.1 rating and the Pats are 14-2.
3. Rookie Wrap
Darnold was sidelined for the first Patriots meeting. But the Jets QB is wrapping his rookie campaign with starts against Aaron Rodgers and Brady, and he fared well in directing four TD drives and taking the Packers to OT last week. Even though receiving consistency has been hard to find, with current injuries to Quincy Enunwa and Jermaine Kearse, he found WR Robby Anderson and TE Chris Herndon for a combined 15 catches, 222 yards and two TDs vs. the Pack. Darnold reminded he's not fighting Brady in a steel cage — "Obviously we're looking at the defense" — but admitted that in playing two NFL greats, "There's a little something extra there."
4. The Turnover Test
The Jets began the season with a five-takeaway bang at Detroit, and they would enjoy doing something close to that to the Patriots in their finale. It doesn't seem likely, of course. In turnover margin, the Pats are plus-7 while the Jets are minus-7 this season. Then historically, in their last 17 games at Gillette, the Jets' margin is a minus-17. Maybe the Bills' three takeaways at New England last week served as inspiration for the Jets D this week. Adams and friends don't have to pick Brady five times like they did Matt Stafford, but the TO game plan in their last five visits to New England — minus-10 margin, zero takeaways, five losses — isn't working.
5. Hold That Line
DC Kacy Rodgers said the Patriots "whipped us at the point of attack" last game with 215 rush yards led by rookie Sony Michel's 133, so MLB Avery Williamson and the Jets have to be ready to stop the run in general and in short-yardage/goal-line in particular. They gave up four goal-to-go TDs to Green Bay, including two 1-yarders by Rodgers. Brady has been notoriously hard to stop when keeping on third-/fourth-and-1 — he's converted 17 of 17 times vs. the Jets. But why should Tom throw his body into the fray when he can hand off to FB James Develin, who vs. the Jets can become the first player since 1970 to score more than four TDs on fewer than 10 carries.
6. Happy Returns
The Jets' five TD returns — Andre Roberts' punt- and kickoff scores and pick-sixes by Darron Lee, Mo Claiborne and Trumaine Johnson — are second in the NFL this season and are as many as they had in the previous 5½ seasons. A return score seems unlikely Sunday, since the Patriots have given up no return TDs, tied for fewest in the league this year. But a mere 220 total kick return yards for Roberts (after racking up 215 vs. GB) would give him Bruce Harper's franchise season record. And with the Jets first in PR average and second in KR average while the Pats are 27th and 28th in defending punts and kicks, such a return bounty is at least thinkable.
7. Grand Finale?
These AFC East neighbors played in the final regular-season game only twice before 2017. In 1998, Vinny Testaverde led the Jets to a 31-10 Meadowlands victory and into the playoffs. And in 1966, the Jets came to Shea at 5-6-2 while the visiting Patriots were 8-4-2 and with a win or a Buffalo loss would've clinched the Eastern berth in the AFL title game. But Joe Namath threw three TDs and directed a 528-yard offense in the 38-28 upset and then both teams went home for the winter when the Bills won their game. Fifty-two years later, the Jets would love to present their fans and their division rivals with a somewhat similar season-ending holiday surprise.
