The New England Patriots headed into Week 17 with the AFC East division title on the line, with Mike Vrabel’s squad needing a win over the New York Jets while also needing Josh Allen‘s Buffalo Bills to lose to the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Fortunately for the Patriots, both scenarios came to fruition, resulting in New England clinching the AFC East division title and securing a chance to grab the No. 1 seed in the conference. The Denver Broncos have a better chance of clinching the top seed in the AFC.
However, the Patriots are still in the running, which gives them an incentive heading into the regular-season finale against the division rival Miami Dolphins in Week 18.
Mack Hollins
GettyMack Hollins #13 of the New England Patriots
Although the Patriots will want to get a win against the Dolphins in Week 18, the primary concern for New England moving forward is getting this team healthy for a potentially long playoff run.
On Saturday, the Patriots placed veteran wide receiver Mack Hollins on injured reserve due to an abdominal injury. Vrabel was asked about Hollins, with the team fresh off the win over the Jets.
“Again, we won’t be able to see him for another three weeks,” Vrabel said of Hollins’ status during media availability. “So at that point in time, then we would have to make a decision, and I hope that’s one that we could make, but right now I don’t think I can predict anything.”
As Vrabel said, Hollins will be on injured reserve for three more weeks, so he won’t have a chance to get back on the field for New England until the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Hollins has had a solid season with the Patriots so far, catching 46 passes for 550 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Vrabel Lobbies for Drake Maye’s MVP Case
GettyDrake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots
In Week 17, Patriots rising star Drake Maye put on a show against the division rival Jets, as he was virtually unstoppable on the football field. The second-year quarterback threw for 256 yards and five touchdowns while completing 19 of his 21 passes.
Maye’s performance added to his strong case to win NFL MVP this season, as it has seemingly come down to the new face of the Patriots franchise and veteran gunslinger Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams.
If it were up to Vrabel, Maye would win the regular-season award.
“Oh, well, I certainly, they don’t give me a vote, but I would. There’s nobody else that we want as our quarterback or that I want as our quarterback,” Vrabel said of Maye. “And so to be able to do that, and as the plays go through to progression, somebody asked me this week about progression and different things, I said, ‘Just throw to the guy that’s open as soon as you work through your progression,’ and I think he did that. Some really good designs, but also some great execution.”
After his incredible performance against the Jets, Maye has now passed for 4,203 yards (3rd in the NFL), 30 touchdowns (tied for 3rd) and eight interceptions with a completion percentage of 71.7 and a passer rating of 112.9.
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