Week 18 AFC East predictions: Bills win division title, Jets snap 15-game skid against Patriots

The AFC East title is up for grabs in Week 18, thanks to the Buffalo Bills' improbable late-season run coupled with the Miami Dolphins' 2-2 stretch over the last four games. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots and New York Jets are going head-to-head for more than just draft position.

Here are our predictions for the AFC East in the final week of the regular season. 

New York Jets (6-10) at New England Patriots (4-12): Even with all of the playoff implications on the line this week, this matchup offers one of the most intriguing storylines on the slate since it could be Bill Belichick's final game as New England's head coach. According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, it's "highly unlikely" Belichick is fired, though there may be a mutual parting of ways, the 71-year-old getting traded or owner Robert Kraft proposing a plan involving front-office changes.

Nonetheless, considering New England went 2-2 over its last four games and fought hard in last week's 27-21 loss to Buffalo, MassLive's Chris Mason believes Kraft could get "cold feet" about firing Belichick. The Jets, coming off a 37-20 loss to the Cleveland Browns, will hope to make Kraft's decision a bit easier by snapping their 15-game skid against their division rival. 

While New England has turned the corner offensively over the last month, scoring nearly one more touchdown per game than its season average (21.3), QB Bailey Zappe's inconsistent play continues to be a concern. Last week, Zappe threw three interceptions and was picked off on his first pass attempt for the second straight game. Such carelessness with the ball won't bode well against a motivated Jets defense that has forced the 10th-most turnovers among teams this season (25) and allowed the third-fewest yards over the last four games (1,098). 

However, given that the Patriots defense has allowed the sixth-fewest yards in that same span (1,147), Sunday's game should prove to be a low-scoring affair. And since both teams are playing for pride, we'll give the edge to the Jets, mainly because linebacker Quincy Williams told reporters on Monday that their "goal is breaking the losing streak, honestly.”

PREDICTION: Jets 20, Patriots 14

Buffalo Bills (10-6) at Miami Dolphins (11-5): Despite all odds, the Bills have ridden a four-game winning streak to put themselves in position for the AFC East crown. It hasn't been pretty, especially considering their last two wins have been decided by one score against teams with fewer than six wins. Even so, Buffalo has shown it is capable of dominating the Dolphins, as it did in Week 4, and while it may not score as many points, it could have an easier time in the rematch. 

The Dolphins had a taste of what the Denver Broncos must have felt in Week 3, getting trounced by the Baltimore Ravens, 56-19. Yet, losing in humiliating fashion wasn't the most unfortunate part of Miami's Sunday afternoon, as the team suffered a slew of injuries to key contributors, the most significant being edge-rusher Bradley Chubb's season-ending ACL tear. QB Tua Tagovailoa also got banged up with a shoulder injury and CB Xavien Howard sustained a foot injury that is expected to keep him out this week. 

Unlike the last time these teams met, Buffalo's game plan should emphasize running the ball frequently and effectively, an identity it has created under OC Joe Brady. The Bills' 153.2 rushing yards per game since Brady assumed the coordinator role are the fourth-most in the NFL, and the normally solid Dolphins run defense just allowed its second-most yards on the ground last week (160). 

Miami still stacks up well with Buffalo scoring-wise over the last six games (29.5 ppg to 28 ppg), and it has plenty of talent to make this a competitive game. But seeing that it is more undermanned than it was during its 48-20 October loss, expect the Bills to capture their fourth straight division title. 

PREDICTION: Bills 27, Dolphins 17