New England Patriots @ New York Jets
The New York Jets (4-6, 0-2 AFC East) get back to action against their rivals from New England (6-4, 1-2) as they attempt to keep their fleeting playoff hopes alive.
In what could be a 2-game elimination series, the Jets and Patriots face off twice over the league's final 6-weeks. With Pittsburgh and Cincinnati both holding firm atop the AFC North, the AFC East's hopes for three playoff teams will require either New England or the Jets to sweep their games against each other while getting the help of a Bengals or Steelers collapse during the same timespan.
"We know the hopes are slim to none based on what you all are saying in the media," Todd Bowles said. "But we are all believers here in this locker room.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Bill Belichick to pull out all the stops. The Hall of Fame coach is in uncharted territory as his team is hoping for, at best, the AFC's 6th seed. Look for 4th down attempts, fake punts, and an aggressive approach in an effort to bury the Jets for the 2016 season.
PREDICTION: Patriots win 23-20
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Buffalo Bills
For the first half of the season, it looked as if this matchup may have decided the AFC's #1 seed. But after dropping 3-straight after a 6-1 start, the Jaguars will look to keep their division title hopes alive against the 9-1 Buffalo Bills.
Aaron Rodgers cooly led his team from the brink of only their second loss of 2016 without his backfield mate Todd Gurley in a rough road showdown last week against the Bengals.
"We can't look too far ahead," Rodgers said. "There is a lot of football left to be played and we have earned nothing yet."
There are some scenarios that could allow for the Bills to clinch a playoff spot this week, the primary goal of Rex Ryan's squad before the season began.
But, with their place atop the NFL standings, the team is hoping this early clinch will be just the beginning.
"Our playoffs start now," Geno Atkins said. "We know how few chances you get for greatness in this league. This is our time to go get it."
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Home-Cooking. Warm weather teams are typically at a disadvantage when traveling to more frigid areas. The weather forecast looks foreboding, which could spell doom for the Jacksonville-based Jaguars.
PREDICTION: Bills win 30-20
San Francisco 49ers @ Miami Dolphins
Despite their 9-1 record, the Miami Dolphins have been struggling of late. The untrained eye may miss it, but the heir of invincibility that once surrounded the reigning champions has vanished.
"We are 9-1, but honestly it feels as if we are 1-9 in the locker room," Chris Ivory said. "I can't explain it - and I'm not sure it's a good thing if we can't get our swagger back."
For the first half of the season the Miami defense was on a record-setting pace. They were sacking the quarterback, scoring on D, and dominating with fierce hits while causing multiple turnovers each game.
But the team has turned vanilla a bit of late and found themselves bending and breaking a bit more than they've been used to over the past 12 months.
"Look, we picked up four sacks and four takeaways last week," Adam Gase said. "But we did go through a rough patch before that. I like that our guys are upset - we have high expectations for ourselves."
Bobby Wagner, who has been playing at an All Pro level for the 'Fins, clarified the feeling inside the Miami locker room best.
"It will sound crazy and unattainable, but I want to be honest with you all," Wagner said. "We absolutely want to give up zero points and zero yards each week. We take every blade of grass on that field personally. We are insane like that."
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Call it a hunch, but look for the angry Dolphins to return this week against a cross-country trip-taking 49ers squad.
PREDICTION: Dolphins win 27-3