PATRIOTS HAVE MUCH EASIER PATH TO DIVISION TITLE

By Chris Forsberg
ESPNBoston.com
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In dropping back-to-back games -- a rarity in these parts during the Belichick/Brady era -- the New England Patriots fumbled away an opportunity to open some breathing room atop the AFC East standings. And while they'll enter Week 10 with the same record as the Bills and Jets, make no mistake: New England remains the favorite to win the division.

Why? The Patriots have the easiest path to the finish line. As teams make the turn for the back nine of the NFL season, no squad in the league has an easier slate in the second half of the year than the Patriots. New England's remaining opponents own a mere .369 winning percentage. The Patriots can make up for stumbles against some of the league's brass by beating up on the weak sisters (we're looking at you, Indy, Miami and Denver).

True, the Jets (10th-easiest remaining schedule, .469 winning percentage) don't have a particularly daunting slate either, with a number of common opponents. But the pressure is on New York on Sunday because the Jets dropped the first meeting between the teams. A loss would essentially give New England a two-game cushion on New York given the head-to-head tiebreaker rules.

The Patriots have done little to inspire much confidence in recent weeks, their once unstoppable offense sputtering with alarming frequency, and quarterback Tom Brady has not been himself lately (10 interceptions already this season, this after throwing just four last year). But New England continues to chalk up its recent struggles to a simple lack of execution, and it's hard to imagine that focus will be an issue under the national spotlight on Sunday Night Football. This is the sort of matchup that typically brings out the best in the Patriots.

Even still, here are two keys for the Patriots moving forward that could ensure they clinch another division crown:

Value the ball: After setting an NFL record with a mere 10 giveaways last season and finishing plus-28 in turnover differential, the Patriots have given the ball away eight times in their three losses this season. Ball security and better decision-making by Brady will go a long way to aiding both the offense and defense.

Strides on defense: While they've survived off a bend-but-don't-break approach that's seen inspired red zone play, the Patriots still have to tighten up on defense -- they are on pace to allow the most passing yards in league history (and teams are throwing against them with complete disregard for offensive balance).

The Patriots and Jets might very well see each other a third time this season, but if New England makes a few tweaks and takes advantage of its schedule, it should be the one with division bragging rights.

Chris Forsberg covers the Patriots and Celtics for ESPNBoston.com.