The countdown begins as the NFL calendar turns to December.
Among the teams seeking to strengthen their position in a tight AFC playoff race are the New York Jets (9-2), who are tied for the NFL's best record with the New England Patriots (9-2) and Atlanta Falcons (9-2). The Jets, who have the toughest remaining schedule of the contenders, facing teams with a combined 33-22 (.600) record, are preparing this week for an AFC East showdown against the Patriots on Monday Night Football. Jets head coach REX RYAN, who led his team to the AFC Championship Game a year ago, is cognizant of what awaits.
"Everything we do is about winning in December and January," says Ryan. "That's where we've got to be at our best. I have all the confidence in the world that we can do exactly that. We push our guys in the weight room. That's so we can be stronger in December and January. We actually make some gains in the season. It's not just about staying where we are. We actually try to make gains. We think that's an advantage to our football team later in the year."
Following is the remaining strength of schedule for the 12 AFC teams within one game of .500 or better :
AFC EAST
TEAM
NY JETS (9-2)
NEW ENGLAND (9-2)
MIAMI (6-5)
OPP. RECORD
33-22 (.600)
32-23 (.582)
26-29 (.473)
WEEK 13
at New England (9-2)
NY Jets (9-2)
Cleveland (4-7)
WEEK 14
Miami (6-5)
at Chicago (8-3)
at NY Jets (9-2)
WEEK 15
at Pittsburgh (8-3)
Green Bay (7-4)
Buffalo (2-9)
WEEK 16
at Chicago (8-3)
at Buffalo (2-9)
Detroit (2-9)
WEEK 17
Buffalo (2-9)
Miami (6-5)
at New England (9-2)
AFC NORTH
TEAM
BALTIMORE (8-3)
PITTSBURGH (8-3)
OPP. RECORD
27-28 (.491)
24-31 (.436)
WEEK 13
Pittsburgh (8-3)
at Baltimore (8-3)
WEEK 14
at Houston (5-6)
Cincinnati (2-9)
WEEK 15
New Orleans (8-3)
NY Jets (9-2)
WEEK 16
at Cleveland (4-7)
Carolina (1-10)
WEEK 17
Cincinnati (2-9)
at Cleveland (4-7)
AFC SOUTH
TEAM
JACKSONVILLE (6-5)
INDIANAPOLIS (6-5)
HOUSTON (5-6)
TENNESSEE (5-6)
OPP. RECORD
26-29 (.473)
24-31 (.436)
29-26 (.527)
30-25 (.545)
WEEK 13
at Tennessee (5-6)
Dallas (3-8)
at Philadelphia (7-4)
Jacksonville (6-5)
WEEK 14
Oakland (5-6)
at Tennessee (5-6)
Baltimore (8-3)
Indianapolis (6-5)
WEEK 15
at Indianapolis (6-5)
Jacksonville (6-5)
at Tennessee (5-6)
Houston (5-6)
WEEK 16
Washington (5-6)
at Oakland (5-6)
at Denver (3-8)
at Kansas City (7-4)
WEEK 17
at Houston (5-6)
Tennessee (5-6)
Jacksonville (6-5)
at Indianapolis (6-5)
AFC WEST
TEAM
KANSAS CITY (7-4)
SAN DIEGO (6-5)
OAKLAND (5-6)
OPP. RECORD
24-31 (.436)
21-34 (.382)
28-27 (.509)
WEEK 13
Denver (3-8)
Oakland (5-6)
at San Diego (6-5)
WEEK 14
at San Diego (6-5)
Kansas City (7-4)
at Jacksonville (6-5)
WEEK 15
at St. Louis (5-6)
San Francisco (4-7)
Denver (3-8)
WEEK 16
Tennessee (5-6)
at Cincinnati (2-9)
Indianapolis (6-5)
WEEK 17
Oakland (5-6)
at Denver (3-8)
at Kansas City (7-4)
