The New England Patriots’ week took an surprising flip within the final 24 hours when criminal charges were brought against wide receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive tackle Christian Barmore.
We mentioned the Diggs scenario Tuesday night on Early Edition, however with each authorized conditions nonetheless ongoing, we’re focusing this week’s Mailbag in your football-related questions — and there have been a lot.
Let’s dive in:
Do you imagine the Patriots will play their starters for all the recreation Sunday? Associated to that, can we see Milton Williams and Will Campbell activated and enjoying some “warmup reps” forward of the playoffs? – @LosTalksPats
Mike Vrabel has made it fairly clear that the gamers who’re wholesome sufficient to play are going to be enjoying in opposition to Miami within the regular-season finale. He hasn’t stated how lengthy they will play, however they will play.
I believe there are a handful of parts at play that Vrabel should think about.
First, is the No. 1 seed really accessible to them? The Chargers are sitting Justin Herbert, which means Trey Lance is getting the beginning in opposition to the Broncos. Odds are, the Chargers will lose that recreation and the Broncos will secure the No. 1 seed… However you by no means know.
Denver did not too long ago have a troublesome time taking down Kansas Metropolis’s third-string quarterback. That recreation and the sport between Miami and New England are occurring on the identical time (4:25 p.m. ET), so if the Denver result’s doubtful, go forward and pursue the win in opposition to the Dolphins as if it has actual which means.
Second, I believe it will be sensible for the Patriots to go after the win in opposition to the Dolphins as if it has actual which means even when the Broncos are blowing out the Chargers. The explanation? That No. 2 seed might be vital. If the Patriots had been to get all of the strategy to the convention title recreation, it would assure the Patriots a house recreation if the Broncos had been to slide up within the Divisional Spherical. It additionally might assist from a matchup standpoint.
If the Chargers lose to the Broncos and the Payments beat the Jets, Los Angeles could be the No. 7 seed. With their offensive line banged up, they would be the cushiest matchup for New England.
If the Patriots had been to lose to Miami, and if the Jaguars had been to beat the Titans, then New England would find yourself because the No. 3 seed and doubtlessly in line to play the Payments. They’ll beat Buffalo, in fact. They’ve confirmed it. However additionally they may favor to keep away from Josh Allen and James Prepare dinner if given the choice.
I’d perceive the Patriots eager to handle gamers who’ve been banged up. Milton Williams and Will Campbell — in the event that they play — could not have to play a full complement of snaps with a view to beat the Dolphins. However attacking this recreation as significant — as a result of the No. 2 seed could be significant — makes probably the most sense to me.
What has been the distinction from now to prior years within the Josh McDaniels system so far as rookies with the ability to be impression gamers within the offense? Rookies like TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams have been in a position to make a direct impression, whereas previous rookies have failed. – @tellemteach12
My understanding is that the system hasn’t modified all that a lot by way of what it asks of its gamers. There are new wrinkles — just like the bootleg passes — which are most likely on the less complicated finish of the educational scale, which might assist youthful gamers assimilate shortly. (Efton Chism’s first profession landing, for instance, got here on that kind of idea.)
However I believe the larger distinction is the method of the quarterback.
Tom Brady was the best to ever play his place. He was additionally extremely demanding, and if you happen to struggled to choose issues up as a younger participant, he wasn’t all that heat to the concept of continuous to offer you alternatives.
Drake Maye, alternatively, continues to be younger. He is nonetheless open to the concept of throwing to the open receiver — seemingly no matter who it is.
I believe Kyle Williams is a superb instance of Maye’s method in that it did not at all times go nicely for his or her connection early. However Maye did not shut out the rookie wideout. He gave Williams possibilities, and Williams has answered late within the season.
Going again to your unit rankings on the staff preseason, do you assume the WR room or the offensive line room has been the larger shock this 12 months? Or, do each look so good merely due to an MVP QB shock? – @Patsfan19838268
For me, the larger shock could be the receivers. I did not see this sort of 12 months coming from Mack Hollins or Kayshon Boutte. I noticed Stefon Diggs being productive, however I did not see him being a 1,000-yard kind of participant.
Each items have been elevated by Maye, in my estimation, however I give the receiver room plenty of credit score — particularly for what they’ve executed in contested conditions — to have the ability to assist Maye.
Offseason query: What’s your feeling on what the Patriots plan to do at proper deal with in 2026? Run it again with Morgan Moses? Draft one excessive? Dip into free company? Moses has been stable and regular all 12 months, I simply marvel how a lot tread is left on the tires. – @ColtonDCarp
Honest query, Colton. The way in which I see it? Deliver Morgan Moses again. He is performed nicely, he is performed via damage. I believe he is been a tradition add for these linemen. And he is below contract for a assured sum of $4.5 million subsequent 12 months.
However that does not imply you’ll be able to’t proceed so as to add at that place. Might be in free company, however I would say the extra prudent strategy to do it will be within the draft.
Anybody you nab in free company who’s worthy of paying will probably be seeking to play. And with Moses right here already — if they bring about him again — it’d make extra sense to seize a younger participant who can develop and later fill in when vital.
What has contributed to the resurgence of Rhamondre Stevenson? He’s been superior the final (small) handful of video games. – @JamieRWhite
You are proper, Jamie. Rhamondre Stevenson has been considered one of their greatest gamers since coming back from a foot damage that saved him out.
To me, he seems to be like a extra assured participant. He is catching the ball easily out of the backfield. He is breaking tackles. And he is taking runs the place they should go to ensure that him to have a chance to do actual injury with the ball in his fingers — which typically means taking the ball the place the play was not designed.
That is precisely what occurred, it appears like, on his game-winning landing in opposition to the Ravens in Week 16. He knew there could be area away from the design of the play, took it there, and created an explosive run.
When he was coping with turnovers early within the season, he did not look or sound like a participant enjoying with the utmost confidence. It appears as if that has modified, and for the higher for the Patriots, within the final month or so.
I am to see the place everybody in Boston and past Sports activities Land thought the Patriots could be at this level within the season. – @JenGNBC
I assumed they had been a nine-win staff, Jennifer. That was not an unpopular take earlier than the 12 months started. Nevertheless it was clearly, um, lifeless unsuitable.
It’s no doubt one of the crucial gorgeous seasons any staff has put collectively in my 15 years masking professional soccer.
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