Pats Pulpit
The 2026 season has been wildly entertaining. For Patriots fans, the past five years have been a Bizarro-world existence. After the glorious Brady-Belichick era ended we were all given an “It’s a Wonderful Life” chance to see what life is like as Jets fans. Spoiler: It stinks.
Most of the experts have watched the Patriots’ rise and, after weeks of convincing, have been able to get over the easy-schedule hump that dismisses it. Diante Lee of The Ringer is a doubter. To be fair, I wouldn’t throw my grandson out on the thin, untested ice that is this new regime’s record, and bet on it not cracking under his weight. But I wouldn’t bet against it holding up either. It’s been that kind of year.
Heading into Week 18, New England sits with a playoff spot in hand, at the top of the AFC East and with the No. 2 seed in the AFC. One more game to go against the Dolphins and we can hopefully wrap up the regular season with an extravagant bow worthy of a 14-3 effort. Miami won’t be as easily steam-rolled as the Jets were. At 7-9, the Dolphins have won five of their last seven games, including a 20-17 win vs. the Buccaneers last week. One of the best things the league did was to put division games at the end of the schedule. Teams in the same division battle it out like brothers, even if they seemingly have nothing to play for. The Pats are listed as 11-point favorites, but just getting the win — and escaping without injury, is enough for me.
GO PATS!!
Around the AFC East:
New England Patriots (13-3) vs. Miami Dolphins (7-9)
Buffalo Bills (11-5) vs. New York Jets (3-13)
AFC Matchups:
Denver Broncos (13-3) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) vs. Tennessee Titans (3-13)
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) vs. Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
Houston Texans (11-5) vs. Indianapolis Colts (8-8)
Cincinnati Bengals (6-10) vs. Cleveland Browns (4-12)
Kansas City Chiefs (6-10) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-14)
2nd – Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News): The Patriots are rolling again with Drake Maye picking apart bad pass defenses with plenty more help from the running game. They’re tuning up in the right way for the playoffs to lean more on the experience of Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels. [nc]
2nd – Pete Prisco (CBS Sports): They won the AFC East and now have to hope the Broncos lose while they beat the Dolphins to be the AFC’s top seed. Drake Maye stated his MVP case loudly against the Jets. [nc]
2nd – NFL Nation (ESPN): *What we learned this season: Quarterback Drake Maye is “him.” Maye is second behind Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in MVP odds, according to DraftKings, and leads the NFL in completion percentage (71.7%) and QBR (76.5). Undrafted rookie wide receiver Efton Chism III was the recipient of Maye’s fifth touchdown pass Sunday and pointed at him in celebration. “I said, ‘You’re him!’ probably three or four...
