AFC East Update

In tiebreakers for division games, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head. The Pats split their head to head with the Jets and Dolphins, and the Jets have the tiebreaker over the Dolphins right now, but the Jets and Dolphins still have to play each other once more.

The next tiebreaker is division games. Right now, the Jets are 3-1 with two games left (BUF and MIA) and the Pats and Dolphins are 3-2 with one game left.

Next up are common games between opponents. Here is how that breaks down:

MIA vs. NYJ common opp - 8-2, w/ 2 gms left (SF, @kc)
MIA vs. NE common opp - 7-2, w/ all 3 gms left
NE vs. MIA common opp - 7-2, w/ all 3 gms left
NE vs. NYJ common opp - 7-2, w/ all 3 gms left
NYJ vs. NE common opp - 5-4, w/ all 3 gms left
NYJ vs. MIA common opp - 5-5, w/ 2 gms left (BUF, @sea)

In other words, if the jets lose either of their two remaining division games, they are going to be in trouble. If the patriots don't win out, they are going to be in trouble. But, if the patriots win out, they will do no worse than a tie for the division lead, and then it will be decided by the tiebreakers above. They will do no worse than that tie because the Jets and Dolphins are guaranteed one loss between the two of them in that final game of the regular season.

Now you know - and knowing is half the battle.