Patriots missing key players as they seek top seed in AFC
The Patriots, trying to win the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC playoffs, are taking on the New York Jets without a few of their best playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Wide receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola are inactive for the game Sunday because of injuries. Edelman was limited at practice during the week while trying to come back from a broken foot suffered in mid-November. Amendola injured a knee during New England's 33-16 win over Tennessee last Sunday.
Safeties Devin McCourty (ankle) and Patrick Chung (foot) are also inactive. Duron Harmon and Tavon Wilson could get the starts.
Tight end Scott Chandler (knee), linebacker Dont'a Hightower (knee) and wide receiver Brandon LaFell (foot) were listed as questionable, but are active. Veteran running back Steven Jackson, signed earlier this week, is also active for the Patriots.
Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa is active after being listed as questionable for the game with a neck injury.
The Chiefs were missing their top two pass rushers against Cleveland as Justin Houston missed his fourth straight game with a hyperextended knee and Tamba Hali was inactive following surgery earlier in the week on a broken right thumb.
Brandon Weeden helped the Houston Texans grab sole possession of the AFC South coming off the bench a week ago. Now he starts as the Texans try to clinch a divisional title.
The Texans deactivated Brian Hoyer against the Tennessee Titans as he continues recovering from his second concussion within the past month.
Inactives:
---
NEW ENGLAND AT NEW YORK JETS:
Patriots: WR Julian Edelman, WR Danny Amendola, S Devin McCourty, S Patrick Chung, OL Josh Kline, LB Jonathan Freeny and CB Troy Hill.
Jets: QB Bryce Petty, CB Dee Milliner, OL Dakota Dozier, S Dion Bailey, LB Taiwan Jones, OL Ben Ijalana and LB Josh Martin.
---
DALLAS AT BUFFALO:
Cowboys: QB Jameill Showers, CB Morris Claiborne, LB Mark Nzeocha, OG Ronald Leary. OT Chaz Green, WR Dez Bryant and DE Jeremy Mincey.
Bills: QB Josh Johnson, RB LeSean McCoy, CB Ronald Darby, LB Nigel Bradham, LB Max Valles, TE Charles Clay, DE Lavar Edwards.
---
PITTSBURGH AT BALTIMORE:
Steelers: QB Mike Vick, WR Jacoby Jones, WR Sammie Coates, RB Jordan Todman, LB Anthony Chickillo, OT Byron Stingily, DE L.T. Walton.
Ravens: QB Jimmy Clausen, WR Marlon Brown, RB Terrence Magee, CB Jumal Rolle, DE Jermaine Whitehead, LB Albert McClellan, DE Kapron Lewis-Moore.
---
SAN FRANCISCO AT DETROIT
49ers: WR Jerome Simpson, RB Shaun Draughn, CB Chris Davis, LB Michael Wilhoite, OG Brandon Thomas, OG Marcus Martin, LB Corey Lemonier.
Lions: WR Corey Fuller, RB George Winn, CB Bill Bentley, C Gabe Ikard, OT Corey Robinson, DT Gabe Wright, DT Jermelle Cudjo.
---
INDIANAPOLIS at MIAMI
Colts: QB Andrew Luck, S Winston Guy, S Colt Anderson, CB Tay Glover-Wright, LB Josh McNary, G Lance Louis, DT Kelcy Quarles.
Dolphins: QB Logan Thomas, WR Rishard Matthews, CB Jamar Taylor, C Mike Pouncey, G Shelley Smith, RT Ja'Wuan James, DT Earl Mitchell.
---
CAROLINA AT ATLANTA
Panthers: RB Jonathan Stewart, RB Brandon Wegher, LB David Mayo, DT Kyle Love, WR Brentson Bersin, S Dean Marlowe, WR Kevin Norwood.
Falcons: RB Tevin Coleman, CB Akeen King, OLB Tyler Staff, OG Ben Garland, OT Bryce Harris, NT Joey Mbu, DT Grady Jarrett.
---
CHICAGO at TAMPA BAY
Bears: WR Alshon Jeffery, CB Bryce Callahan, CB Jacoby Glenn, LB Shea McClellin, G/T Nick Becton, T Tayo Fabuluje; DL Bruce Gaston.
Buccaneers: QB Ryan Griffin, S Chris Conte, RB Mike James, DE Kourtnei Brown, TE Brandon Myers, WR Vincent Jackson, WR Evan Spencer.
---
CLEVELAND AT KANSAS CITY
Browns: WR Terrelle Pryor, DB Justin Gilbert, RB Daryl Richardson, RB Glenn Winston, LB Jayson DiManche, WR Rannell Hall, LB Armonty Bryant.
Chiefs: QB Aaron Murray, WR De'Anthony Thomas, S Husain Abdullah, LB Justin Houston, LB Tamba Hali, DT David King, DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches.
---
HOUSTON AT TENNESSEE
Texans: QB Brian Hoyer, WR Cecil Shorts III, CB Dararyl Morris, S Rahim Moore, LB Justin Tuggle, G Oday Aboushi and TE Garrett Graham.
Titans: QB Marcus Mariota, OT Jeremiah Poutasi, CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, WR Andrew Turzilli, WR Damaris Johnson, S Josh Aubrey and DE Ropati Pitoitua.
---
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
