New England Patriots 2017 second half preview and predictions

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FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: Tom Brady /

Week 17: Sunday, December 31st 1 PM vs New York Jets

The Patriots may not have the luxury of taking a breather in week 17 this season as it could matter for playoff seeding. New England played poorly in New York against the Jets earlier this season, and in week 17 they could look to send a message with a beat down on New Year’s Eve. This is a midday game, so they’ll have time for the beat down before their nights out or in with the family to welcome 2018 to the world. They’ll earn themselves a bye week and a top-2 seed with the win over the Jets.

Game Prediction: Patriots 41, Jets 13

Second Half Record: 7-1

Season Record: 13-3

New England will finish the season at 13-3 if they are able to go 7-1 down the stretch. The lone loss against Pittsburgh here will look bad at the time, but we all know New England is the better team in the playoffs. For fun, here are my AFC and NFC standings for the end of the season, and my quick picks for the playoffs.

Standings

AFC East: Patriots (13-3)
AFC North: Steelers (12-4)
AFC West: Chiefs (13-3)
AFC South: Titans (12-4)
AFC Wild Card: Jaguars (11-5)
AFC Wild Card: Ravens (11-5)
NFC East: Eagles (13-3)
NFC North: Vikings (12-4)
NFC West: Seahawks (11-5)
NFC South: Panthers (11-5)
NFC Wild Card: Lions (11-5)
NFC Wild Card: Falcons (10-6)

Wild Card Predictions

Steelers over Jaguars
Ravens over Titans
Lions over Panthers
Seahawks over Falcons

Divisional Round Predictions

Ravens over Chiefs

Patriots over Steelers

Eagles over Lions

Vikings over Seahawks

Next: Patriots 10 best regular season games of the last 10 years

Conference Championship and Super Bowl LII Predictions

Patriots over Ravens
Eagles over Vikings
Patriots over Eagles

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