Patriots are looking at Jets game like a playoff game

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“It’s a one-game season,” said New England Patriots running back James White.

That’s the mentality that the team is bringing in this week’s regular-season finale against the New York Jets. New England needs to win this game to keep the No. 2 seed in the conference and to secure a first-round playoff bye - so they are not taking this game lightly.

“If you win, it’s essentially a playoff win, and I think those are hard to come by,” said Tom Brady. “So this particular week is essentially a playoff week for us. If we win, we keep advancing, and obviously we advance past the first round.”

Receiver Chris Hogan agrees. There’s no other way to treat this game than to think of it as part of the playoffs.

“There’s definitely a lot riding on this game,” said Hogan. “And I don’t think we’re looking forward to what happens in the future. I think all of our focus is on the Jets and what we have to do to come out and play a good football game against them.”

Postseason stakes are on the line for the Patriots, and it seems like they have the right mentality going into the game this Sunday.

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