Let’s be honest on Christmas: Did any New England Patriot fans realize it’s Jets Week?

The rivalry is one sided once again, as the Jets are just in horrific shape as the Patriots descend on the Meadowlands on Sunday.

Last year the teams split, two bad football teams. Two years ago, the Jets were the opposition in Bill Belichick’s final game as Patriots head coach, fittingly so.

But they’re just an afterthought, although Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has his team focused not so much on the opponent but the chance to clinch the AFC East.

What do the Jets have going for them? Good special teams.

“Special teams have been a very, very strong point for these guys,” Vrabel said this week. He’s right. But they don’t have much else to talk about.

The Patriots are heading into a tank job hear. Justin Fields is on IR, and he’s not good anyway. The Jets are starting Brady Cook over veteran backup Tyrod Taylor, who presumably is healthy. They want to get as close to that No. 1 pick that currently belongs to their East Rutherford Roomates, the Giants.

Maybe someday both teams can be good at the same time. They’ve been bad at the same time, but too often it’s like it is this week.

Hey, at least the Jets finally have a Brady.

With the NFL pushing to take over Christmas – whyyyy – we’ll give you the picks a little early this week with a key game tonight that impacts the Patriots:

PATRIOTS 40, JETS 3

Ugh. Many a season yours truly has seen the Jets go up against the Patriots with a quarterback who absolutely has no chance. And that is the case on Sunday in the Meadowlands. Just pathetic.

BRONCOS 27, CHIEFS 10

No Mahomes, no Minshew for the Chiefs as the NFL is starting to run out of quarterbacks. Who would have thought the Broncos would be 13 point favorites playing on the road in Kansas City? But that’s how things have unfolded for the Chiefs, and the Broncos need this win to get a stranglehold on the top seed in the AFC.

TEXANS 20, CHARGERS 17

Houston, you have one heckuva defense, one that Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh would drool over. But he has a pretty good one too, and this one’s a tough call. But the Texans are 10-2 after an 0-3 start. Trends for this Saturday night special.

NINERS 29, BEARS 17

Da Bears keep proving us wrong every week, as we’re seeing what a good coach can do for a quarterback. But we’re also seeing that in San Francisco as Brock Purdy has the 49er offense purring under Kyle Shanahan. Niners are looking like an NFC Conference Title game finalist.

LIONS 30, VIKINGS 16

Yes, it’s on the road but still indoors for the Lions who need the win. Wow what a strange year, but with the Vikings hurting at QB, Detroit has s decisive edge. Wow, lucky Lions, they get to play on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. They’ll win this one to go 1-1.

PACKERS 24, RAVENS 16

Who will the quarterbacks be in this one? Hey, here’s an idea, play Derrick Henry at QB, John Harbaugh – at least he’ll touch the ball. What a joke. Ravens won’t recover from that idiotic move, even if Malik Willis has to play or the Pack.

EAGLES 27, BILLS 21

Yes, we’re saying there’s more than a chance for Philly, which got back on track. You see, Buffalo’s defense just isn’t that great; the Bills aren’t great against the run and that means Saquon Barkley could have a field day. Pats clinch the AFC East.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

LAST WEEK: 3-4

SEASON: 72-40

Tom King may be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow King on X (@Telegraph_TomK).