After a solid start to 2011, the Patriots have a well-deserved bye today.
That doesn’t mean you should tune out the NFL entirely. Here’s three games that matter to New England fans:
Chargers at Jets (1 p.m., CBS): Two of the Pats’ greatest rivals are squaring off in the Meadowlands. Odd as it seems, New England fans are probably best served by rotting for New York here. If the Jets win, they’re still basically a .500 football team. But a San Diego victory would move them into a tie with the Pats for the best record in the AFC. Nobody wants that.
Indianapolis at New Orleans (8:20 p.m., NBC):
Baltimore at Jacksonville (8:30 p.m. Monday, ESPN): The Ravens are looking like the Pats’ top challenger in the AFC. Do you scouting on Monday night.