NFL Week 17: Trends which will decide each game

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 27: Frank Gore #21 of the New York Jets warms up prior to their game against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

New York Jets (2-13) at New England Patriots (6-9), 1:00 pm

Jets: The season began with 13 consecutive losses but now the Jets have won two straight games, defeating two teams (Rams and Browns) who could very well wind up in the playoffs this year. But defeating the Patriots has been a big issue. Dating back to 2011, New York is 2-17 in this series – including nine straight losses at Foxborough.

Patriots: The team is in the midst of its first losing season since Bill Belichick’s debut campaign in Foxborough in 2000. The Patriots have dropped their last three outings by a combined score of 84-24 and scored a total of one touchdown during this stretch. This all followed a 45-0 victory in Week 13 over the Chargers at Los Angeles.

Dallas Cowboys (6-9) at New York Giants (5-10), 1:00 pm

Cowboys: The club has score 30-plus points in each of its last three games and incredibly, have put themselves in position to actually capture the NFC East. Quarterback Andy Dalton has been hot since returning to the field in Week 11. He’s thrown 13 TD passes compared to four interceptions – two-plus scores in five of the six games.

Giants: Big Blue has been highly-improved when it comes to the defense but the other side of the ball has been a season-long issue for Joe Judge’s team regardless of who the starting quarterback is. The Giants are ranked 31st in the league in yards gained and the team has nearly as many offensive touchdowns (22) as turnovers (21).

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