FOXBORO — The Patriots’ objective has not modified as they enter Week 17 with a 12-3 report. They wish to win the AFC East.
Mike Vrabel’s squad controls its personal future to win the division. With wins over the Jets and Dolphins, they’ll win the division for the primary time since Tom Brady was at quarterback in 2019.
Quarterback Drake Maye was requested in regards to the crew’s imaginative and prescient during the last two weeks after clinching a playoff spot with Sunday evening’s win over the Ravens.
“It’s so simple as go win the division. That’s what the objective was. It wasn’t to make the playoffs. It was to win the division, and that’s what we’re going to attempt to do,” Maye mentioned.
That was the Patriots’ objective even earlier than they shocked the world by occurring a 10-game successful streak halfway by way of the season.
And it’s nonetheless the objective as they at the moment stand tied with the Broncos and Seahawks for the NFL’s finest report.
“Simply unfinished enterprise. I can’t give attention to the following two weeks. We’ve obtained to give attention to this week and occurring the street to an important setting, going to New York Metropolis, play the Jets and unfinished enterprise,” Vrabel mentioned. “We wish to be undefeated on the street. I believe that that’s one thing that’s distinctive. I’m positive you guys will inform me what number of instances it’s occurred earlier than, however there you go. So, that’s one thing that I believe is particular. Nonetheless wish to play for the division. We wish to win the division. Haven’t accomplished it in a very long time.”
The Jets and Dolphins will attempt to stand of their means and play spoiler with rookies at quarterback. The Jets are at the moment beginning undrafted rookie Brady Cook dinner at QB, whereas the Dolphins have turned to seventh-round choose Quinn Ewers.
Vrabel isn’t taking the Jets evenly.
“Whoever we put on the market and whoever we play with goes to should have that in thoughts and be ready to try this in opposition to a crew that’s enjoying some younger guys,” Vrabel mentioned. “They’ve obtained some good veterans. They’re enjoying effectively on third down defensively. I believe they’ve a extremely, actually good offensive line. I believe they transfer folks. I like the way in which they play. I like their play demeanor. They’ve obtained two actually good, younger, gifted tackles. Guards attempt to end you.
“So once more, they’ve obtained pace, Breece Corridor could make you miss. [Adonai] Mitchell’s getting extra comfy within the offense and all that. So, there’s some unfinished enterprise. The season isn’t over. This wasn’t our objective and I’m excited that we gained, however we’ve moved on.”
The Patriots already beat the Jets and Dolphins as soon as every. They cut up their season sequence with the Payments.
The Jets are 3-12 and led by first-year head coach Aaron Glenn. As Vrabel alluded to, they’ve spent excessive picks in back-to-back drafts on left deal with Olu Fashanu and proper deal with Armand Membou.
Whereas, on paper, the Patriots shouldn’t have a troublesome time in opposition to the Jets, they’re coping with an uncommon quantity of accidents.
Operating again TreVeyon Henderson (concussion), broad receivers Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and DeMario Douglas (hamstring), offensive linemen Morgan Moses (knee), Thayer Munford (knee) and Jared Wilson (concussion), cornerbacks Charles Woods (ankle) and Carlton Davis (not introduced) and defensive tackles Joshua Farmer (hamstring) and Khyiris Tonga (foot) all suffered accidents in Sunday’s win over the Ravens. Linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle) additionally didn’t play in Week 15.
The Patriots will nonetheless attempt to end robust.
“I believe it’s actually essential. Coach (Josh) McDaniels has talked to me about enhancing and getting higher in observe as you attain the tip of the season and attain the playoff time,” Maye mentioned. “You wish to really feel such as you’re enhancing in observe and guys are practising laborious. That interprets to the sport. You wish to observe effectively throughout the week, and also you all the time really feel such as you play the very best when you may have a very good week of observe. So, it’s actually huge on persevering with somewhat successful streak these final couple video games, heading into the playoffs feeling good about ourselves and feeling like we’ve nonetheless obtained some work to do.”
McDaniels would know. The veteran offensive coordinator was a part of six Tremendous Bowl-winning groups with the Patriots.
