Here are quick-hit thoughts and notes surrounding the New England Patriots and the NFL as the team prepares for a massive showdown:
1. High stakes
The Patriots can clinch the AFC East title with a win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS), making it their most important game at Gillette Stadium in years.
The last time the stakes felt this high depends on how you look at it:
- Jan. 1, 2023: A 23-21 win over the Miami Dolphins pushed New England to 8-8 and kept faint playoff hopes alive. They lost the following week on the road and missed the postseason.
- Jan. 2, 2022: A dominant 50-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars improved the Patriots to 10-6 in Mac Jones’ rookie season and clinched a playoff berth. They later lost on the road in the wild-card round.
- Jan. 4, 2020: A 20-13 wild-card loss to the Tennessee Titans, coached by Mike Vrabel, ended the season at 12-5 — and marked Tom Brady’s final game with the franchise.
For many, Brady’s finale still stands as the biggest moment. But Sunday’s matchup feels just as compelling, especially with Vrabel now leading New England. Five years after that playoff loss, the Patriots’ 2025 resurgence under Vrabel has come full circle.
“This is a great stage that we’ve put ourselves on,” Vrabel said.
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Vrabel made winning the division a clear goal when he was introduced as Patriots coach on Jan. 13 — and he shared that message with the players right away.
“Coach said it at the beginning of the year: ‘Win the division,’” quarterback Drake Maye said. “Everybody probably says that in their first team meeting, but it’s pretty cool how that’s come to reality and we’re here with a chance to do it this week.”
Doing it against the defending division champions only adds to the moment.
“They’ve won the division for five years, so we’ve got something we need to go take,” Maye said. “We know it’s going to be hard, but we’re up for it.”
Veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs agreed.
“This game is a little different because you’re playing for something,” Diggs said. “A lot to play for. Every team in the league can’t say that this week.”
As players left the locker room after their final practice Friday, there was excitement — but also reminders not to change their routine or approach.
Outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings, tied with offensive lineman Mike Onwenu as the longest-tenured Patriot at six seasons, spoke about finding that balance.
“It feels good,” Jennings said. “It’s very important to us because we set goals at the beginning of the season — winning the division and hosting playoff games. This is another step. But you can’t make it too big. You just go out, execute, and do what we do.”
2. Landry and Watt
Patriots outside linebacker Harold Landry III spoke Friday via video conference with CBS analyst J.J. Watt, who will call Sunday’s game alongside Ian Eagle and Evan Washburn.
“It’s kind of surreal,” Landry said. “When I came into the league, he was still playing for Houston, and we were focused on making sure he didn’t wreck the game. To talk to him now as peers — a future Hall of Famer — was cool.”
Vrabel, who coached Watt with the Texans from 2014 to 2017, also reflected on their conversation.
“Hearing from former players about what we’re doing is always good perspective,” Vrabel said. “It helps confirm we’re heading in the right direction.”
3. Growth mindset
Diggs, now in his 11th NFL season, admitted the Patriots (11-2) came together faster than he expected.
“I’ve been on a lot of teams,” he said. “I’d wholeheartedly say yes.”
4. Quiet Diggs
Diggs has been held under 30 receiving yards in each of the last two games, matching the longest stretch of his career. It last happened with the Bills in December 2023.
That could set the stage for a breakout against his former team, much like Week 5, when he posted a season-high 10 catches for 146 yards. Still, Diggs stressed he’s focused on team success over stats.
“I’d never act like I don’t want the ball — everybody does,” he said. “But it’s like seven dogs and one bone. There are a lot of guys who can get open. It’s an unselfish group, and you’re pulling for your brother.”
5. Elliss’ emergence
Linebacker Christian Elliss’ hard hit on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart in Week 13 fired up the Patriots and highlighted his growth this season.
“I love his development right now,” linebackers coach and defensive playcaller Zak Kuhr said.
Elliss ranks third on the team with 54 tackles and leads the Patriots with 14 special-teams tackles.
“He’s gotten better every week,” Kuhr said. “Early on, he was tough on himself after mistakes. Nobody grades out perfect. Now he’s playing fast, free, aggressive, and within the scheme.”
6. Run defense concerns?
Through the first nine weeks, the Patriots allowed just 3.6 yards per rush, third-best in the NFL. Since Week 10, that number has jumped to 4.9 yards per attempt — 29th in the league over that stretch.
That raises concerns against Josh Allen, James Cook III, and the Bills, who lead the NFL at 5.1 yards per rush.
Part of the decline coincided with defensive tackle Milton Williams landing on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Rebuilding fundamentals — setting edges and swarming to the ball — has been a key focus.
Kuhr also credited Buffalo’s approach.
“They mix it up, but they also stick to what they do well,” he said. “They’ve got a cohesive offensive line, a talented running back, and a quarterback who can take it the distance at any time. That makes it tough.”
7. McDaniels sound bites
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels appeared on “The Schrager Hour” with ESPN’s Peter Schrager and shared quick takes on two former Bills receivers now with New England:
- Stefon Diggs: “Bulldog. Grinder. Competitive. An intensity that’s hard to describe.”
- Mack Hollins: “Chess piece. As unselfish a teammate as I’ve been around.”
8. Henderson and Dillon
Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson has rushed for at least 50 yards in six straight games. If he does it again Sunday, he’ll become the first Patriots player since Corey Dillon (2004–05) to reach that mark in seven consecutive games, according to ESPN Research.
McDaniels praised Henderson’s mindset after a slow start to the season.
“He’s got an incredible attitude,” McDaniels said. “Every rep is full speed. For a young player to approach it that way, it’s easy to see why he’s improving.”
9. Pats-Jets moved to Fox
The Patriots’ road game against the Jets on Sunday, Dec. 28 (1 p.m. ET), was switched from CBS to Fox due to scheduling logistics.
With the NFL selecting Texans-Chargers and Ravens-Packers for Saturday games, Giants-Raiders moved to Sunday at 4:05 p.m. on CBS. To ensure both New York teams aired locally, Patriots-Jets shifted to Fox.
A bonus: Fans in New York and Las Vegas will also get Eagles-Bills at 4:25 p.m. on Fox.
10. Did you know?
Teams coming off a bye week — like the Patriots this Sunday — are 87-68-1 over the past five seasons (.561). This year, those teams are 16-12 (.571).
All signs point to a massive moment in Foxborough — and a chance for the Patriots to take back the AFC East.
