Jets, Patriots play tonight for first place in AFC East

First place in the AFC East will be on the line tonight when the New York Jets visit the New England Patriots, and with rain in the forecast, the running game could be critical despite both defenses' strength in stopping it.

The Jets' Thomas Jones leads the AFC with 750 yards rushing after running for 149 yards and three touchdowns Sunday against the Rams. Patriots undrafted rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for 105 yards and a touchdown against the Bills as the replacement for three injured backs.

Both teams are 6-3. The Patriots lead the overall series 49-48-1 and have won 11 of the past 12 matchups.

Fourteen months after tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee, Buccaneers running back Carnell (Cadillac) Williams was activated from the reserved/physically unable to perform list.

Bucs coach Jon Gruden said he isn't sure if Williams will play against the Vikings on Sunday. Gruden said he's hopeful that running backs Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn will be healthy after the team's bye. Dunn missed the Nov. 9 game against Kansas City because of a pinched nerve in his back. Graham suffered a knee injury in the Chiefs game.

"[Williams] is just starting his comeback trail, and by no means are we guaranteeing that he's even going to be active on Sunday," Gruden said. "We're going to continue to work with Carnell on the practice field. His No. 1 role right now is to try to emulate Adrian Peterson on the practice field for our defense. If he continues to make progress, it's only a matter of time before he's active."

Former Vikings running back Michael Bennett, who had only 12 yards on seven carries this season, was released to make room on the roster. Hours later, Bennett was signed by the Chargers.

MARK CRAIG

A.J. Hawk, who has been Green Bay's starting weak-side linebacker since he was drafted in the first round in 2006, shifted to the middle of the Packers' base defense during the portion of Wednesday's practice that was open to the media. The Packers are working through a few different options to replace Nick Barnett, who suffered a season-ending injury against the Vikings.

• One day after Steelers coach Mike Tomlin hinted he needed his quarterback to practice more despite his right shoulder injury, Ben Roethlisberger took the snaps with the starters Wednesday.

• A Fresno (Calif.) County judge sentenced Bengals defensive lineman Jason Shirley to 30 days in a work program after a jury found him guilty of drunken driving and hit and run on Oct. 8, 2007. The verdict and sentence against Shirley were handed down Monday, Shirley's lawyer said. Shirley could face an NFL suspension for violating the league's player conduct policy.