Matthew Slater played college football at UCLA, so there was no greater rival for him than Southern Cal. With the Patriots getting ready to host the New York Jets, their AFC East archrivals, in an important division showdown Sunday at Gillette Stadium, Slater said there is an unmistakable atmosphere of a college rivalry weekend.

“You almost get the feeling like you’re in college and you’re playing your rival school,’’ Slater said. “So I feel like I’m playing USC, for me personally.’’