AFC EAST STANDINGS   W L T Pct. PF PA Miami 8 3 0 .727 235 222 NY Jets 7 4 0 .636 224 199 NEW ENGLAND 7 5 0 .583 274 228 Indianapolis 4 7 0 .364 292 337 Buffalo 1 9 0 .100 180 273

SCHEDULE 12/9 vs Browns, 1 p.m. 12/16 at Bills, 1 p.m. 12/22 vs Miami, 1 p.m. 1/26 at Carolina, 1 p.m. Patriots schedule Patriots statistics

Chances are ...
Patriots coach Bill Belichick doesn't smile so often, but Sunday's win over the Jets has him beaming yesterday. (Globe Staff Photo / Matthew J. Lee)				Hot Pats climbing playoff charts If the Patriots continue to play well, they could do the unthinkable by making the playoffs in a year that was supposed to be spent rebuilding. It would set the area on its head. DAN SHAUGHNESSY I'm ready to punch their Bowl ticket Super Bowl Patriots. There. I said it. None of this fraidy-cat, maybe-playoff talk for me. The 2001 Patriots are a team of destiny.

PATRIOTS MAILBAG Nick has the answers How can the Pats get rid of Terry Glenn? Will they beat the Jets on Sunday? The Globe's Nick Cafardo has the answers!

Latest news San Francisco ready for biggest test in St. Louis Armstead vows to lead Giants in final five games Jets want to ignore their December history NFL Briefs Beat-up unit shuts down Falcons Packers 28, Jaguars 21		E-mail newsletter Join today
DECEMBER 4 Chances are ... Packers finally fight off Jaguars Shaughnessy: I'm ready to punch their ticket Patriots notebook: His ribs weren't tickled NFL notebook: Kennison signs with Chiefs DECEMBER 3 Tightening up Playoffs would hit payoff Buckley saves best for last Martin finds that his effectiveness is gone On Football: Weis has 'em well-adjusted Ryan: His emotions in motion Patriots notebook: WR Coleman adds something X-tra Key matchup: It becomes game of keep away SporTView: Jones proving detail-oriented Patriots next foe: Titans toughen up on Browns NFL report: Nothing to shout about NFL report: Rocky horror in Miami NFL report: Chicago avoids grisly setback NFL report: For Gramaticas, all's fair in family and field goals NFL roundup: Cowboys leave Redskins hogtied DECEMBER 2 New sheriff post rewards As spotlight shifts, focus is key for Patriots Pro football notes: Fortunate .500 Club for Schottenheimer DECEMBER 1 Glenn not at the end Bledsoe can expect a visit from Lewis Patriots notebook: Only time will tell with Cox, Johnson NOVEMBER 30 Glenn and Patriots dig in He says injury still bothersome Eagles keep rolling on road On Football: He's a team player all the way Patriots notebook: Two for the road to NY? Sunday's key matchup: Light vs. Abraham Playing football: The prevent is hard to defend Pro picks: Rising Redskins? I'm not won over NFL notebook: Bills' Johnson is sidelined for season NOVEMBER 29 There's still no verdict Piles of yard work Patriots notebook: Probable cause for optimism NOVEMBER 28 On Football: Ground game is up and running