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Headline: Injury-Riddled Patriots Face Jets in Crucial AFC East Showdown

East Rutherford, NJ – The New England Patriots, plagued by injuries to key starters, will face the New York Jets this Sunday in a pivotal Week 17 matchup. A Patriots victory combined with a Buffalo Bills loss to Philadelphia would clinch the AFC East title for New England, their first in six years. Otherwise, the race continues into Week 18.

Despite the potential to clinch the division, the Patriots will be significantly shorthanded, missing at least seven starters on both sides of the ball. On offense, Drake Maye will need to elevate a receiving corps already thin due to injuries to Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins. The Patriots will likely lean heavily on running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who is coming off a strong performance against Baltimore. Stevenson’s success will depend on the offensive line’s ability to neutralize Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood, a top run defender. If New York focuses their defense on Stefon Diggs, Maye may have to rely on his running backs, tight ends and perhaps even undrafted rookie Efton Chism in the passing game.

Defensively, the Patriots will be without defensive tackles Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga, potentially opening the door for the Jets to establish their running game with Breece Hall. The Patriots’ run defense, once a strength, has slipped due to injuries. To counter this, they will need strong performances from inside linebackers Jack Gibbens and Christian Elliss to prevent explosive runs, as well as new edge defenders like K’Lavon Chaisson, Anfernee Jennings, and Elijah Ponder.

The Jets, led by quarterback Brady Cook, have struggled with turnovers this season. The Patriots’ secondary, now at full health, will look to capitalize on Cook’s mistakes. Even with injuries to key Jets receivers like Garrett Wilson and Mason Taylor, the Patriots will need to contain wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.

The Patriots defeated the Jets in their last meeting 23-13. The Patriots will need to improve upon their ground game and keep Hall and the Jets’ offensive line from dictating the line of scrimmage.

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