NFL Power Rankings: Cardinals rise, Packers fall in Week 17

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Patriots 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

4. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-3)

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With no Julian Edelman, no Danny Amendola, no Dion Lewis and no LeGarrette Blount on offense, the New England Patriots are banged up. And they ran into a red hot Jets team on Sunday, in need of a victory to keep alive their playoff ambitions.

Tom Brady had to work hard for every yard all afternoon, and he was held to 231 yards in the air with a touchdown and one interception. Ryan Fitzpatrick put up 296 passing yards with three scores and no picks. Running the football on the Jets is always a tough ask, so they needed to be able to move it in the air.

The biggest talking point after the game was the Patriots’ decision to kick at the beginning of overtime. In reality, this shouldn’t matter. If the Pats got a stop, all they would have needed was a field goal to win the game. Instead, Fitzpatrick marched his Jets team down the field and didn’t allow Brady a single overtime possession to win the game.

The Patriots can wrap up the season with a 13th victory next week to go with a first-round bye. New England is still the team to beat in the AFC.

Next: No. 3