The Patriots’ season finale will not be meaningless. There are nonetheless stakes in play in Week 18.
With a win, the Patriots can clinch the No. 2 seed within the AFC, seemingly pitting them in opposition to the Chargers within the first spherical of the playoffs. If the Chargers can assist out the Patriots with a win over the Broncos, the Patriots will roll into the playoffs with the No. 1 seed.
That’s unlikely, nevertheless, because the Chargers are resting quarterback Justin Herbert and beginning Trey Lance.
With a loss, the Jaguars can leapfrog the Patriots for the No. 2 seed with a win over the Titans. If the Patriots drop to the No. 3 seed, their first-round matchup would seemingly come in opposition to the Payments.
Right here’s what we’re watching in Week 18, when the Patriots tackle the Dolphins on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. at residence at Gillette Stadium. The sport shall be broadcast on FOX.
• First, the elephant within the room: Head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned Wednesday that large receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive sort out Christian Barmore, each of whom are going through prison prices, are anticipated to play Sunday. The NFL launched an announcement on Wednesday, saying, “There is no such thing as a change to the standing of Diggs or Barmore. Each are eligible to play right now.” Diggs and Barmore won’t play the whole recreation, since it might make sense to relaxation starters in some unspecified time in the future Week 18 to maintain everybody contemporary for the playoffs, however anticipate them on the sphere.
• Left sort out Will Campbell and defensive sort out Milton Williams are each eligible to be activated off injured reserve. Assuming each starters play on Sunday, will probably be notable to see what number of snaps they’re on the sphere. It serves as a really perfect time to knock off rust for Campbell and Williams whereas additionally not forcing them to play the whole contest.
• The Patriots are nonetheless coping with accidents to key gamers. Linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle), defensive sort out Khyiris Tonga (foot), fullback Jack Westover (ankle), outdoors linebacker Harold Landry (knee) and left guard Jared Wilson (concussion protocol) missed follow this week, although Spillane and Westover returned Friday. If any of these accidents had been really long-term points, then the gamers would have been positioned on injured reserve weeks in the past. Count on the next gamers to tackle greater roles: defensive tackles Cory Durden and Eric Gregory, outdoors linebackers Anfernee Jennings, Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson, and left guard Ben Brown. With Mack Hollins on injured reserve, rookie wideouts Kyle Williams and Efton Chism will seemingly proceed to tackle greater roles on offense. Chism impressed the Patriots’ teaching employees together with his blocking skill.
• Tight finish Hunter Henry’s standing bears monitoring, as effectively. He missed follow Wednesday with a knee damage and was restricted Thursday. Austin Hooper and rookie CJ Dippre are subsequent in line for tight finish snaps.
• Diggs won’t play the complete recreation, however he’s simply 30 yards away from a 1,000-yard marketing campaign. If he can obtain it, that will be his seventh 1,000-yard season.
• Large receiver Kayshon Boutte is 63 yards away from a career-high. Operating again TreVeyon Henderson would want some massive runs, however he’s 142 dashing yards away from 1,000.
• The Patriots’ protection has begun to determine their challenge at producing turnovers. They compelled two fumbles in opposition to the Ravens and picked off Jets quarterback Brady Cook dinner. It might be encouraging to see that turnover streak proceed this week in opposition to Dolphins rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers. Ewers was picked off twice in his first begin in Week 16 however didn’t have any giveaways in Week 17. He fumbled as soon as, however the ball went out of bounds. The Texas product was picked off 12 instances final season in faculty.
• QB Drake Maye has an opportunity to solidify his MVP candidacy with one other sturdy efficiency. Can he throw 5 touchdowns in 2.5 quarters once more? Unlikely, however that is Maye’s final probability to beat out Matthew Stafford, who performs the Cardinals, for the postseason award.
• The Patriots’ run protection could possibly be challenged by operating again De’Von Achane and head coach Mike McDaniel. McDaniels is artistic together with his floor recreation, and Achane has had a monster season, dashing for 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns. Achane, who has residence run potential, is a game-time resolution, nevertheless. If there’s a world during which the Patriots lose, Achane would seemingly need to rush for a number of lengthy scores. The Patriots’ run protection was higher final week in opposition to the Jets, although Williams and Spillane had been nonetheless out. Let’s see if they’ll preserve it rolling for one more week.
• The Patriots are favored by 10.5 factors. This can be a powerful recreation to foretell, since we don’t understand how lengthy starters will stay within the recreation on both facet. Let’s nonetheless choose the Patriots to win 28-17.
