New England @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 31, 2017 ) N.Y. Jets 6, New England 26

The New England Patriots had two weeks off to reassess after suffering a 34-10 loss at the Tennessee Titans and they are ready to move on. The Patriots will try to get back to the business of dominating the AFC East when they visit the New York Jets on Sunday.

"We're playing the Jets here," New England coach Bill Belichick told reporters. "We're not playing Tennessee. So, we'll have to deal with what the Jets do, what their keys are and who their players are. Whatever else has happened this year has happened. We've corrected those, talked about those situations, corrected them, but we're focused on the Jets now." One thing that could be corrected is the injury situation, with tight end Rob Gronkowski (ankle) among those expected to return to the lineup on Sunday. The Jets went into the bye with a sour taste as well after getting crushed at home 41-10 by the Buffalo Bills to extend their losing streak to four straight. "It was good," New York coach Todd Bowles told reporters of the bye week. "We got some guys back that were banged up - it happened late in the week. But everybody in the AFC East had a bye so it came at a good time, and it’s always good to step back and study yourselves and then try to go from there."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Patriots -9.5. O/U: 46

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (7-3): New England is used to residing at or near the top of the NFL in most offensive categories but comes out of the bye seventh in the league in scoring (28 points) and 10th in yards per game (377.2). "I think we're definitely trying to find things that - this is the first really chance we've had to evaluate that," quarterback Tom Brady told reporters during the by week. "There's been a lot of moving parts this year for one reason or another with the receivers, tight ends, running backs, a little bit with the O-line, not so much with the quarterback position. But I think that's all part of what we're trying to do." Brady, 41, is 11th in yards (2,748) and tied for 15th in TD passes (17).

ABOUT THE JETS (3-7): Bowles is not offering any clue as to who his starting quarterback will be on Sunday, with rookie Sam Darnold (foot) questionable. "I think the idea of going up against (Tom Brady) and the Patriots, coach Belichick and all those guys, it's a cool thing, especially with me growing up in the era where they really controlled the whole NFL, for the most part," Darnold told reporters. "It would be really cool if I have the opportunity." If Darnold can't go, New York will again turn to veteran Josh McCown, who completed 17-of-34 passes for 135 yards and two interceptions in the loss to Buffalo.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Patriots OG Shaq Mason (calf) practiced Wednesday and could return after missing the last two games.

2. New York WR Robby Anderson (ankle) sat out the loss to Buffalo and is in danger of missing a second straight contest.

3. New England took the last four meetings and seven of eight in the series.

PREDICTION: Patriots 31, Jets 17