play

Fernando Mendoza addresses NY Jets talk at Heisman Trophy festivities

Fernando Mendoza recalls his first visit to NYC and answers a question about the New York Jets as he focuses on winning a national title.

The New York Jets (3-12) host their final game of the 2025 season as they welcome in the New England Patriots (12-3) in Week 17 of the NFL season.

It was another letdown for the Jets, who didn’t find the end zone once in a 29-6 blowout loss against the New Orleans Saints in Week 16.

The Patriots rallied from a double-digit fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 28-24 last Sunday night.

Now comes the tough test of the Patriots, who are on the precipice of winning the AFC East for the first time in six years and posting their first 13+ win season since 2017.

These two divisional rivals last met on “Thursday Night Football,” where the Jets suffered a 27-14 loss in primetime back in Week 11 despite taking an early 7-0 lead in that game.

Our prognosticators throughout the 2025 season are: Art Stapleton (Giants/NFL writer, NorthJersey.com), Bert Bainbridge (sports trending reporter/columnist, NorthJersey.com), Brian Marron (digital producer, NorthJersey.com), Chris Iseman (Rutgers writer, NorthJersey.com), Bob Jordan (sports editor, Asbury Park Press/APP.com) and Dave Rivera (sports editor, USA TODAY Northeast/NorthJersey.com).

Jets vs Patriots Week 17 predictions, staff standings

Art Stapleton: 11-3

Bert Bainbridge: 11-3

Chris Iseman: 11-4

Brian Marron: 11-4

Bob Jordan: 11-4

Dave Rivera: 10-5

Here are our staff predictions for Jets vs. Patriots in Week 17:

Bert Bainbridge

The pick: Patriots 34, Jets 10

Here’s why: These are two teams on complete opposite ends in the NFL standings. The Jets are fighting for draft position next April while the Patriots are still battling for a division title and the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Brady Cook’s first home start goes as anticipated, as New England’s defense is dominant all game long and Patriots’ QB Drake Maye continues to prove why he’s one of the odds-on-favorite to win NFL MVP this season. Patriots take this one by three scores.

Bob Jordan

The pick: Patriots 42, Jets 0

Here’s why: The Jets in 2020 were well on their way to the No. 1 overall pick (Trevor Lawrence) with an 0-13 record when they shocked the 9-4 Rams. No need to worry about going off script this week.