The Patriots are banged up heading into their penultimate regular-season recreation, however their ultimate two video games stay must-wins.
To win the AFC East and stay in competition for the No. 1 seed within the AFC, the Patriots will probably have to win out towards the Jets and Dolphins.
The Patriots can win the division by successful their ultimate two video games. In the event that they have been to lose to the Jets or Dolphins, then the Payments would additionally have to lose towards the Eagles or Jets.
To realize the No. 1 seed within the AFC, the Patriots would probably have to win out plus hope for a loss from the Broncos, who already beat the Chiefs in Week 17 and face the Chargers in Week 18.
The No. 1 seed, and the first-round bye that comes with it, could be invaluable for the Patriots, who noticed nine players endure accidents in Week 16 on prime of present illnesses to gamers like linebacker Robert Spillane, outdoors linebacker Harold Landry and defensive deal with Milton Williams, who’s eligible to return off injured reserve this week.
Right here’s what we’re anticipating in Week 17 when the Patriots journey to New York to tackle the Jets:
• This recreation opened, again when the schedule got here out, because the Patriots being favored by 1.5 factors. Sixteen weeks into the season, the Patriots at the moment are favored by 13.5 factors. After shut video games towards the Payments and Ravens, a blowout win over the Jets could be a confidence enhance for the Patriots. We predict they’ll do it. This looks like a 38-14 win.
• Quarterback Drake Maye can enhance his MVP marketing campaign with some spectacular statlines towards the Jets and Dolphins. Are they as impactful as spectacular performances towards the NFL’s greatest groups? No, however Maye is 5 away from 30 landing passes, and two 275-yard passing days can nonetheless get him to 4,500 passing yards.
• Patriots defenders acknowledged final week that forcing turnovers was emphasised all through the week. They proved they might do it with two fumble recoveries. They should maintain that vitality going towards the Jets and hope that rookie quarterback Brady Prepare dinner can loft some passes in direction of the Patriots’ defensive backs for extra interceptions.
• The Patriots have confronted some very unhealthy Jets quarterbacks over time, however Prepare dinner, a 2025 undrafted free agent, ranks up there with Bryce Petty, Luke Falk and Zach Wilson. Prepare dinner is 0-2 as a starter with a 59.2% completion proportion, 527 yards, one landing and 6 interceptions. There’s no excuse to wrestle in move protection.
• The protection has to get proper towards the run regardless that they’ll stay with out Williams and Spillane. After rating among the many prime run defenses within the league by means of 10 weeks, issues went haywire from Week 11 and past after Williams suffered an ankle harm towards this Jets workforce at house. The run protection gained’t be at full power once more till Spillane, Williams and defensive deal with Khyiris Tonga return, however the present unit must show they’ll load up the field and truly halt the opposing workforce.
• Is that this the week that Patriots undrafted rookie Efton Chism lastly makes his first NFL catch? It may be. Chism needs to be concerned within the offense with Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and large receiver Mack Hollins (stomach) each out. We’ll see if Chism can steal some slot snaps from DeMario Douglas, who’s coping with a hamstring harm.
• Fellow rookie large receiver Kyle Williams began the season gradual, however he now has 5 catches for 169 yards with three touchdowns within the Patriots’ final six video games. No, these aren’t precisely otherworldly numbers, however he’s proven the power to stretch the protection and make some spotlight grabs deep down the sphere. Is that this Williams’ true breakout week? The depth chart signifies it may very well be.
• Left guard Ben Brown has an opportunity to reward the Patriots instantly for giving him a two-year contract extension. Brown has supplied invaluable depth during the last two seasons, and now he’ll be again beginning at left guard rather than Jared Wilson (concussion). Wilson supplies extra upside to the offense, however Brown has truly earned a better PFF grade (68.5) than Wilson (49.9) this season.
• Let’s see if Vederian Lowe can proceed to carry up at left deal with rather than Will Campbell, who’s eligible to return subsequent week from a knee harm. In three begins this season, Lowe has a 66.4 PFF grade and has let up one sack, two QB hits and 5 hurries.
• Head coach Mike Vrabel praised the Jets’ offensive line this week. They’ve two younger beginning offensive tackles in Ola Fashanu and Armand Membou who might proceed to halt the Patriots’ move rush. It might be good to see rookies Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson get some alternatives towards them, and they need to get the prospect with veteran Harold Landry out.
