The Jets are set to wrap up the 2023 regular season with a trip to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots. With the Jets at 6-10 and the Patriots at 4-12, there’s not much on the line in this one other than draft positioning and a lengthy streak in this series.
Fans will certainly be on the fence about whether or not the Jets should win this game for several reasons. In this piece, we’ll discuss some of the pros and cons about the Jets winning this game versus losing this game. Let’s start with reasons to win this game.
Reason to win: End the streak and misery vs. New England
The Jets haven’t beaten the Patriots since the Obama Administration. December 27, 2015 to be exact. They haven’t won at Gillette since the Divisional Playoff victory on January 16, 2011. New England has had New York’s number for 15 straight games. The Jets certainly wouldn’t mind finally exercising their demons in this series and ending the season with quite the moral victory.
Reason to win: Build some momentum and positive thoughts heading into key offseason
The Jets aren’t going to the playoffs. But to be able to end the season with a win could at least give the Jets some momentum and increase their positive outlook heading into what is going to be one of the most important offseasons in quite some time for the Jets knowing they’ll get their star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, healthy again for next season. Given everything that happened this season, 7-10 certainly isn’t the greatest of records. But at least this time, it would come with a win in Week 18 as opposed to a loss as was the case last season against the Dolphins.
Reason to win: The Jets likely end up with a top-10 draft pick no matter what
At 6-10, the Jets currently hold the No. 8 pick in the draft, according to Tankathon. Even if the Jets win, chances are they would remain in the top ten, even if they drop a spot or two. There are four teams — Falcons, Bears, Raiders, Vikings — entering Week 18 with a 7-9 record. Those teams face the Saints, Packers, Broncos and Lions respectively. So while it’s possible the Jets can fall to No. 11 if they win, chances are they could end up somewhere around No. 9 or No. 10.
Reason to lose: Could improve draft position with an outside chance at reaching the top 5
While a win likely still keeps the Jets in the top ten, a loss would secure a top-eight position and perhaps move the Jets up on the board. They’d even have a small chance to get into the top five.
There are three teams — Giants, Chargers, Titans — with a 5-11 record entering the final week. The Jets currently have an easier strength of schedule than all three teams, so a loss would move the Jets up if any of those teams win Sunday. The Giants host the Eagles, the Chargers are home against the Chiefs (who are starting Blaine Gabbert at quarterback), and the Titans have Jacksonville (with a banged-up Trevor Lawrence) at home with a chance to prevent the Jaguars from winning the AFC South.
A higher position means a better chance at either Joe Alt or Olu Fashanu or whichever players the Jets want to target. Regardless, a higher position gives the Jets more control. And if the Jets somehow sneak into the top five, they have some history on their side. Their last top-five pick has worked out pretty well so far. Some fellow named Ahmad Gardner.
Reason to lose: Prevent New England from landing top-two pick, potential franchise quarterback
Not only would a loss potentially improve the Jets’ draft stock, it would also hurt the Patriots’ and this one would be significant.
The Patriots are tied with the Commanders and Cardinals at 4-12 and for the No. 2 pick in the draft. That pick would put a team in position to land either USC’s Caleb Williams or UNC’s Drake Maye. For New England, that could mean landing a franchise quarterback in what could be a new era in New England without head coach Bill Belichick. It would also mean getting a quarterback that could terrorize the Jets for years to come.
If the Jets lose to the Patriots, New England likely ends up with the No. 3 overall pick at best and would have to get creative if they want to draft a quarterback — or perhaps “settle” for LSU’s Jayden Daniels or Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. Major draft implications on this one.
