New York Jets: 5 Bold predictions for the 2018 regular season

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FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 31: Head coach Todd Bowles of the New York Jets shakes hands with head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots after the Patriots defeated the Jets 26-6 at Gillette Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

1. Fifth division title in team history

The New York Jets won division titles in each of the final two seasons of the AFL. Then, they didn’t win another one until 1998, and their fourth came in 2002. 2018 will be the fifth in franchise history.

The New England Patriots have been atop the AFC East for what feels like an eternity. Since Bill Belichick became the head coach of the Patriots in 2000, in 15 of the 18 seasons. The only three seasons they didn’t were his first in 2000, 2002, and 2008 when Tom Brady suffered a season-ending injury.

The Jets play the Patriots in Week 17 at Gillette Stadium. Gillette has been a house of horrors for the Jets since it opened in 2002. The Jets are 4-14 (including the playoffs) and have been outscored 464-292. Three of the four Jets wins, though, were one possession game — with the exception of their first trip.

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The Jets will head into Week 17 trailing the Patriots by one game in the standings, but with a win in hand, which means a second win will mean the Jets win gives them the division via the head-to-head tie-breaker. As mentioned in the previous slide, Darnold will lead the team on a game-winning drive which will culminate in a touchdown, ending the nine-year reign of the Patriots atop the AFC East.

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