Tedy Bruschi and Damien Woody agree that the Patriots will go into MetLife Stadium and defeat the Jets in Week 12. (0:55)

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- It's the wrong quarterback versus the best quarterback.

Despite having a miserable season, starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick still gives the New York Jets the best chance to win, according to coach Todd Bowles, who doesn't give a hoot about 2017. Clinging stubbornly to a win-now approach, it might be a good idea for Bowles to, um, win now -- beat the New England Patriots (8-2) on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Guess what? The Jets, flexed out of the night game, can. The Not Good Enough for Prime-Time Players (apologies to "Saturday Night Live") are capable of upsetting the AFC's top team.

No, I'm not suffering from an overdose of tryptophan. Consider:

The Jets (3-7) are well rested after the bye week; that's important with so many older players. The Patriots are coming off a West Coast trip, their defense doesn't scare anybody, Tom Brady (knee) is banged up and they probably won't have star tight end Rob Gronkowski (chest).

Ryan Fitzpatrick is the lowest-rated passer in the league, while Tom Brady is No. 1. Icon Sportswire, USA TODAY Sports

The last blowout in this rivalry was the "Butt Fumble" game in 2012. The ensuing six games have been decided by seven points or fewer.

"We haven't played anybody quite like the Jets," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "The players they have that we'll have to block are very, very difficult. They're well coached, they have good schemes. They have a lot of experienced players in the secondary. They do a great job of disguising coverages and disguising their pressures, and then dropping out of them, things like that. This will be a very challenging week for us."

Five thoughts on the game:

1. Mismatch at quarterback: On the stat sheet, this might be the most lopsided matchup of the year. Brady is the No. 1-rated passer in the league (123.3) and Fitzpatrick (67.6) is the lowest. Heck, it might be one of the biggest mismatches in league history based on passer rating. Belichick is looking at a different statistic, telling anybody willing to listen (no doubt, his players) the Jets have averaged 26 points in Fitzpatrick's past three games.

Personally, I think Fitzpatrick will play well. He will face a defense that has gone 15 quarters without a takeaway -- his kind of defense.

Meanwhile, Mr. Brady is looking for his 200th career win, which would tie Peyton Manning for most combined wins (regular season and postseason) for a quarterback. In other words, Brady is chasing history while Fitzpatrick is fighting to avoid becoming it.

2. Will boobirds fly?: The fan base has turned quickly on Bowles, in part, because of his decision to stick with Fitzpatrick, leaving Bryce Petty on the bench. The crowd won't have much patience -- the boos will start early if Fitzpatrick gets off to a slow start. The over/under on the first "We Want Bryce!" chant is the first three-and-out series. Fitzpatrick is handling the situation well, as he appeared relaxed during the run-up to the game. He will get the old Geno Smith treatment if he doesn't give them something to cheer about -- quickly. The Jets are 1-3 at home, so there haven't been many feel-good moments.

3. Sweet 16: Cheating scandals notwithstanding, the Patriots have become the model franchise. Get this: A win by New England would clinch their 16th straight winning season, tying the San Francisco 49ers (1983-1998) for the longest streak since the merger in 1970. That is a staggering run of consistency, the likes of which we may never see again.

In contrast, the Jets have recorded only 16 winning seasons -- total! -- since the merger. A loss, of course, would mean their fifth non-winning season in the past six years. Dark times, indeed.

4. Paging Brandon Marshall: He's on pace for 69 receptions and 962 yards, a major decline from last season's numbers -- 109 and 1,502, both franchise records. He has gone five straight games without a touchdown and five straight under 71 yards, his least productive stretch since his 2010 season with the Miami Dolphins. He has caught only 48.9 percent of his targets, the worst among receivers whose average target is less than 14 yards downfield, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Obviously, the quarterback play has contributed to his struggles, but there's more to it than that. It'll be fascinating to see how he closes the season; he could be playing for a 2017 roster spot.

5. Baby steps: The Jets' pass defense, an embarrassment in September and October, is showing signs of improvement. Since Week 8, it ranks second in completion percentage (55.5) and yards per attempt (6.0). The Jets haven't been tested by an elite quarterback; that changes Sunday. At the same time, their run defense has developed leaks -- two straight games with at least 100 yards. They haven't allowed 100 in three straight since 2013.