Every AFC East crew picked up a win in Week 16, and the Miami Dolphins are just one extra victory away from securing their first division title since 2008. Nevertheless, with a matchup in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens on the horizon, the AFC East crown may very well be determined by a photograph end.
Listed here are our predictions for the AFC East in Week 17.
New York Jets (6-9) at Cleveland Browns (10-5): The Jets practically suffered one other humiliating loss final week, blowing a 20-point third-quarter result in the dismal Commanders earlier than kicker Greg Zuerlein hit a 54-yard go-ahead area objective with 5 seconds remaining to safe a 30-28 win. Whereas it was a constructive signal to see the offense rack up its second-most complete yards of the season (381), Trevor Siemian and firm will not have related success in opposition to a Browns protection permitting the fewest yards per recreation (260.3).
Regardless of rating among the many prime items within the NFL, the Jets protection has not too long ago skilled a stoop, permitting an uncharacteristic 58 factors during the last two video games, the sixth-most amongst groups in that span. This could bode effectively for outdated good friend Joe Flacco, who has been on a roll since signing with the Browns in mid-November, averaging essentially the most passing yards over the previous 4 video games (326.8). Count on the Browns to clinch their first postseason berth since 2020 whereas the Jets enhance their 2024 draft place thanks to a different classic efficiency from the Tremendous Bowl XLVII MVP.
PREDICTION: Browns, 21-7
Miami Dolphins (11-4) at Baltimore Ravens (12-3): Each groups earned assertion wins final week, with Miami incomes its first victory over a profitable squad this season whereas Baltimore knocked off San Francisco in a recreation which may’ve secured QB Lamar Jackson his second MVP Award. The Dolphins overcame a 35-14 third-quarter deficit to stun the Ravens 42-38 once they met in Week 2 final season, and with each groups clicking, we may very well be in retailer for one more thriller.
Miami’s explosive offense may need problem placing up factors in opposition to a Baltimore protection that permits the fewest factors (16.3) and the sixth-fewest yards per recreation this season (297.3). Nevertheless, the Dolphins protection might preserve the top-ranked Ravens speeding assault in examine, because the unit offers up the fifth-fewest speeding yards per recreation (90.8). Even so, contemplating Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle is coping with an ankle damage that might stop him from enjoying, Baltimore ought to handle to increase its profitable streak to 6 video games.
PREDICTION: Ravens, 24-21
New England Patriots (4-11) at Buffalo Payments (9-6):
New England pulled off a stunning victory final week, knocking off the Broncos behind a 56-yard Chad Ryland area objective, which successfully ended the Russell Wilson period in Denver. In the meantime, the Payments, winners of their final three video games, averted a scare from the Easton Stick-led Chargers for a good 24-22 street win because of QB Josh Allen’s 252-yard, three-touchdown outing.
The Patriots have hit their stride underneath QB Bailey Zappe in current weeks, offering some optimism for Sunday’s matchup, particularly since they took care of Buffalo in Week 7 with Mac Jones at quarterback. Nonetheless, New England’s 21.3 factors per recreation during the last three contests is effectively beneath the league common, and the offense might return to its dreadful methods within the hostile setting of Highmark Stadium. Buffalo solely permits 15.3 factors at residence this season, the second-fewest within the NFL.
Nonetheless, Buffalo’s newest loss to New England, coupled with final week’s slender escape, ought to function a reminder that it might’t take this matchup calmly. Search for an all-round efficiency from the Payments just like their convincing 31-10 Week 15 win over the Cowboys to arrange a decisive conflict with Miami for the division crown within the regular-season finale.
PREDICTION: Payments, 28-10