Patriots links 1/02/26: Pats-Dolphins matchups, keys to victory

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Dolphins updated Injury Report.
• Evan Lazar’s Patriots Gameplan: 3 Keys to a Patriots victory. Offense Key: Prepping for the Dolphins explosive run+play-action offensive scheme. Defense Key: Prepping for Dolphins split-safety coverages and creeper schemes; More!
• Mike Dussault’s Key matchups in Patriots vs. Dolphins Week 18 regular season finale.
• Roster Moves: DB Kobee Minor has been signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad; CB Miles Battle and OL Brenden Jaimes have been signed to the practice squad.
• Press Conferences: Josh McDaniels – Zak Kuhr – Jeremy Springer – Doug Marrone, Ashton Grant, Tony Dews, Todd Downing – Austin Hooper and Rhamondre Stevenson.
• Patriots Unfiltered on TV: Jets recap, Dolphins preview, One-on-one with Jahlani Tavai. (22 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Steve Balestrieri’s Patriots-Dolphins key matchups: The No. 1 seed is still a possibility. Pats RBs vs. Dolphins front seven — Edge New England; More.
• Thomas Murphy gives us the Monster Keys to squishing the Fish. 1. Ignore the noise. 2. Sling it. This week we are setting up the run with the pass. … More!
• Andrew Callahan’s Friday Five: The Patriots’ strong stance on Stefon Diggs and Christian Barmore; Chargers’ scouting report; Sunday plan; and more Week 18 thoughts.
• Danny Jaillet notes the Patriots are expected to play all of their healthy players Sunday per Mike Vrabel.
• Alex Barth notes that while the Patriots’ injury report remains long, the team got multiple players back at practice on Thursday.
• Doug Kyed explains how the Patriots have seemingly fixed a potential weakness ahead of the playoffs.
• Mark Daniels relays Josh McDaniels on what impresses him the most about Drake Maye.
• Karen Guregian notes Josh McDaniels praises rookie WR Efton Chism III for embodying Patriots identity with his play.
• Mark Daniels says it was special teams coach Jeremy Springer’s recommendation that led to the Patriots signing under-the-radar veteran Jaylin Hawkins.
• Alex Barth reports New England added CB Kobee Minor to their active roster on Thursday. Minor was ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ in the 2025 NFL Draft and has been competing against the Pats’ best receivers all season.
• Conor Ryan looks at the Patriots 2026 slate of opponents and sees a much more daunting schedule ahead.
• Pats Chat podcast: Doug Kyed and Michael Hurley discuss the Dolphins matchup, next steps for the Patriots amid this week’s legal troubles + Drake Maye’s MVP Case. (1 hour)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Brigid Kennedy (SI) Drake Maye fires back at criticism around Patriots’ strength of schedule.
• Nick Shook (NFL.com) NFL QB rankings, Week 18: Drake Maye eclipses Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen.
• Seth Walder, et al (ESPN) NFL Week 18 picks, predictions, schedule; More. Patriots: …Mike Vrabel would like to have DT Milton Williams…and LT Will Campbell…knock off some rust with game action before the playoffs; TreVeyon Henderson is 142 rushing yards shy of 1,000; More! 3 of 3 pick Pats to win.
• Matt Bowen (ESPN) [Keys for...