Dolphins vs. Patriots previewing Week 18 with Pats Pulpit

The Miami Dolphins visit the New England Patriots on Sunday as part of the NFL’s Week 18 schedule as the 2025 regular season comes to a close. This will be the final game of the year for the Dolphins while the Patriots are preparing for the playoffs and have a chance to claim the top seed in the AFC playoff picture with a win in this game and some help elsewhere.

To get a closer look at the Patriots, who beat Miami back in Week 2, I turned to our friends and rivals over at Pats Pulpit to talk about the turnaround in New England, the legal issues that exploded this week, a surprisingly low number of Pro Bowl selections, and more. Taylor Kyles, as always, was kind enough to answer my Patriots questions.

You can check out the Dolphins side of our conversation over on Pats Pulpit.

How do you think the Patriots balance the chance to get the top seed in the AFC versus protecting players for a potential playoff game next week? I know Mike Vrabel has said the starters will play, but will we see them pulled if the Denver Broncos jump out to a big lead against the Los Angeles Chargers, who are expected to rest their starters?

Last week in New York, the Patriots benched as many starters as possible after seizing a sizable lead midway through the third quarter. I think their dream scenario would be a repeat of that performance, but starters will play as long as it takes to win.

Mike Vrabel is big on playing to an identity, and rolling over before the game is in hand one week before the playoffs would be very off-brand. Players battling injury may be on a snap count, but as Vrabel told reporters this week, everyone who’s healthy will play.

How much of a distraction has the Stefon Diggs and Christian Barmore legal issues been this week?

It’s come up with just about every player and coach interviewed this week, and all have insisted they are ignoring outside “noise” and focusing on the Dolphins. I think that’s impossible to do fully given the circumstances, but this team has shown impressive mental toughness throughout the season.

Stefon Diggs acknowledged the situation has had an effect on him, but he’s known for his focus on the field. I’d be mildly surprised if Diggs or Christian Barmore’s play is significantly impacted.

I was surprised that, as much of a great story the Patriots have been this year and being tied for the top spot in the AFC playoff picture, they only landed two Pro Bowl selections in quarterback Drake Maye and cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Who was snubbed? Is there a player who has flown under the radar but will have a big impact on this game or in the playoffs?

Hunter Henry was probably the most deserving player who wasn’t voted in. Many would be surprised to learn he’s never earned...