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Week 12 in the AFC East: All four teams above .500 in race for division

By Brian Miller

Nov 27, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mike White (5) pitches the ball to New York Jets running back Zonovan Knight (27) against the Chicago Bears during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mike White (5) pitches the ball to New York Jets running back Zonovan Knight (27) against the Chicago Bears during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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The AFC East is still one of only two divisions in the NFL with all four teams being above .500, the other is the NFC East.

This past week the AFC East teams played two out-of-conference games and two out-of-division games but all four teams are headed towards games against each other setting up a race to the finish over the last six games.

The New York Jets got a win on Sunday that keeps them in the AFC East division chase and the NFL’s playoff picture.

AFC East
AFC East: Mike White #5 of the New York Jets celebrates after beating the Chicago Bears 31-10 at MetLife Stadium on November 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

New York Jets

  • Record – 7-4

Last game – Chicago Bears

The New York Jets benched Zach Wilson in favor of Mike White heading into their week 12 game against the Bears. Wilson took no accountability for the horrendous play in week 11 that saw the Jets lose to the Patriots, putting only three points on the board.

With Wilson not only benched but inactive, the Jets took their chances with Mike White against a Bears team that was running with their backup quarterback as well. The Jets’ defense proved way too much for the inept Bears offense and White had a nearly perfect outing throwing for three touchdown passes.

White finished the game 22/28 for 315 yards and three scores. More importantly, he led his team on and off the field. Moving forward, it is quite easy to see White play out the rest of the year. Robert Saleh said that Wilson’s future is with the Jets and implied that at some point, he would return but after Sunday, that might be a little harder to do, and if White continues to play at this level, Saleh is going to have a big decision to make that really shouldn’t be all that hard.

Next game – at Vikings

The Jets are headed to Minnesota in a game that will test their new starting quarterback. Chicago is not a good football team but the Vikings are the 2nd seed in the NFC and have only two losses so far. Defensively, the Jets are playing great but their offense will need to do the same.

What’s on the line:

In the AFC East, every loss for any of the four teams could mean an end to their division title chances. The Vikings are going to be a tough opponent and we will find out how legitimate the Jets are. A loss won’t hurt the Jets too much as this is an out-of-conference game.

Remaining schedule:

  • @ Buffalo
  • Detroit
  • Jacksonville
  • @ Seattle
  • @ Miami
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