Patriots Pregame Thread Week 18: Dolphins at Patriots, 4:25 on Fox

[Uptown]

 

[Triumph]

Today--HC Mike Vrabel says rookie LT Will Campbell will practice this week which will trigger his 21-day practice window. Milton Williams also is in his 21-Day Practice window. This would be great to have both of them back soon!
Vrabel adds that he is unsure if WR Mack Hollins will be able to return this season and adds that they’ll know more in a few weeks.

 

[Triumph]

Diggs has been a Beast.

Bring on the Bills and wear the whites. Watch Diggs go off on Buffalo.

 

[obgod3]

Dont want to lose the last game at home, go into the playoffs with a loss, and want to keep the 2nd seed. 1st seed don’t happening since Herbert wont play against the broncos next week, they weren’t going to win regardless.

 

[Triumph]

Dont want to lose the last game at home, go into the playoffs with a loss, and want to keep the 2nd seed. 1st seed don’t happening since Herbert wont play against the broncos next week, they weren’t going to win regardless.

The Broncos are going to sleep walk into the BYE week.

Lance isnt a passing threat. He is a 50 - 60% passer and the more he throws the less receptions he has.

 

[DaBruinz]

@Zuma noted that the Pats waived Miles Battle and Brendan Jaimes. Jaimes is a tad surprising since Wilson is still in the Concussion Protocol.

Battle isn't surprising. Despite being a Gunner on STs and getting reps with the defense, his effort didnlt seem to be there. It will be interesting to see if the Pats re-sign him or look for someone else.

 

[DaBruinz]

Was this always a 4pm game or was it moved? I always prefer 1pm games. It was the time God intended for all games to start. I actually wanted the Bills to win so that this game would mean something. At any rate, the bye is still in play though the Chargers have nothing to gain and a lot to lose by playing THEIR starters. In other words, it's a long shot at best.

I forget which year it was, but one year they had a few teams playing the late games that basically didn't bother to play because they knew where they were seeded. By waiting until after week 17 to announce the week 18 times, this allows them to move games so that teams vying for play-off seeds have to go all out. It actually makes sense. Because you want games to be as competitive as possible.

 

[Zuma]

@Zuma noted that the Pats waived Miles Battle and Brendan Jaimes. Jaimes is a tad surprising since Wilson is still in the Concussion Protocol.

Battle isn't surprising. Despite being a Gunner on STs and getting reps with the defense, his effort didnlt seem to be there. It will be interesting to see if the Pats re-sign him or look for someone else.

I think they are comfortable with Brown stepping in but it's interesting Jaimes was just signed to the 53. Maybe Wallace is showing them something or had a minor injury at the time Jaimes was signed.

 

[Uptown]

 

[TommyD4207]

Kevin Wildes has been holding it down all year.

 

[Uptown]

Also, I wanna give a shoutout to Rham. He’s been very good lately; holding it down while Hendo was out, running, pass protection & catching out of the backfield. Salute..

 

[Real fan 02]

I think it is somewhat fitting that the Patriots will celebrate a highly successful 2025 regular season on the one-year anniversary of Jerod Mayo's firing.

Patriots are favored by ten, though to me predicting week 18 games is extremely difficult, if not futile.

Miami gave Tampa Bat a vicious gut punch on Sunday, but in my opinion that was as much due to the Bucs' inexplicapable ineptitude as it was to Quinn Ewers doing anything fantastic.

The Good, Bad & Ugly from the Miami Dolphins Week 17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dolphins rookies shine in 20-17 victory over Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

www.thephinsider.com

Miami loses two impact defenders to injury
The Dolphins got the victory over the Buccaneers on Sunday, but it wasn’t without a few casualties along the way.

EDGE defender Chop Robinson left the contest early with a concussion. It is the second time this season that Robinson has been ruled out of a game with a head injury — with Robinson also leaving Miami’s game against Baltimore in Week 9 for the same reason.

In addition to Robinson’s exit, the Dolphins also played most of the final half of action without star inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks. Brooks exited during the third quarter with a hamstring injury, but remained on the sideline. He would not return to the game after contributing five total tackles, with one tackle for loss and a pass defensed.

Miami Dolphins overreaction Monday: Quinn Ewers QB starter in 2026?

The Miami Dolphins are 7-9 headed into a season finale at New England. Is it an overreaction to pair Mike McDaniel and Quinn Ewers in 2026?

www.palmbeachpost.com

Dolphins are getting production from their young players, an encouraging sign for the future | FOX Sports

Mike McDaniel stood in the locker room after the Miami Dolphins’ 20-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and began calling out the names of the game’s most impactful players

www.foxsports.com

It doesn’t sound like Mike Vrabel will bench starters for Week 18 vs. Dolphins

The Patriots locked up the AFC East on Sunday ahead of their regular-season finale against the Dolphins. But if a player is healthy, it sounds like they will play.

www.masslive.com

“Probably everybody that’s healthy will play,” the coach said during his weekly appearance on WEEI on Monday. “That’s just where we’re at. I haven’t looked too far into it this morning here, but, I would anticipate everybody that’s healthy will play in the football game.”

Will Campbell is eligible to return from injured reserve this week, as is cornerback Alex Austin. Kayshon Boutte (concussion), left guard Jared Wilson (concussion), defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (foot), edge rusher Harold Landry (knee) and linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle) all missed Sunday’s blowout win over the New York Jets.

Milton Williams, who returned to practice last week, is also a candidate to return in Week 18.

Achane is the biggest threat Miami has on offense.. we need to come and bottle up Miami running game early and blow doors. Gonzo locks up Waddle & then Get Dobbs some work in the 3rd quarter and preserve guys.

I'd really like to see Spillane and milt out there even for a few series if they are ready to go.. they both need a ramp up game.

 

[Real fan 02]

Also, I wanna give a shoutout to Rham. He’s been very good lately; holding it down while Hendo was out, running, pass protection & catching out of the backfield. Salute..

No question, Rham has been clutch this season regardless of his flaws.. he and hendo make a great combination of speed and power.. props to Rham..

 

[Huckleberry1]

Last week of regular season all game times were TBD until after the results yesterday.

Well, that's one thing the NFL got right.

 

[Triumph]

The right mindset.

Were on to Miami and 1 game at a time.

238K views · 7.7K reactions | Drake Maye had to swoop in real quick. | Sunday Night Football on NBC

Drake Maye had to swoop in real quick.

www.facebook.com

 

[Rob0729]

I am not sure that Vrabel is going to sit the starters with several key players with bonus incentives within reach on Sunday. I think Vrabel is the type of coach who will allow them to try to get these incentives.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I am not sure that Vrabel is going to sit the starters with several key players with bonus incentives within reach on Sunday. I think Vrabel is the type of coach who will allow them to try to get these incentives.

I don't think he's resting starters because his message has been to never let up, and he wants to lock down home field advantage in the playoffs at least until the AFCCG, if not for the whole thing. He wants to win this game.

 

[Rob0729]

I don't think he's resting starters because his message has been to never let up, and he wants to lock down home field advantage in the playoffs at least until the AFCCG, if not for the whole thing. He wants to win this game.

I am not saying it would be the only reason that he will come to this decision. Just stating he won't bench starters who have realistic shots at incentives. Belichick did bench players with realistic shots at incentives at times. Other coaches would bench them too.

 

[Triumph]

Was this always a 4pm game or was it moved? I always prefer 1pm games. It was the time God intended for all games to start. I actually wanted the Bills to win so that this game would mean something. At any rate, the bye is still in play though the Chargers have nothing to gain and a lot to lose by playing THEIR starters. In other words, it's a long shot at best.

TBA

I bought the Youtube NFL Ticket this season and the 12:00 game schedule has been perfect.

I dont want the BYE. I do for injured players, additional player rest and more time to gameplan. But, I don't because this team hasn't looked as sharp coming off extended rest this season - Giants MNF and Bills post BYE.

 

[Real fan 02]

I am not sure that Vrabel is going to sit the starters with several key players with bonus incentives within reach on Sunday. I think Vrabel is the type of coach who will allow them to try to get these incentives.

Rob,

Spot on. Just another difference of the type of head coach Vrabel is.. I've mentioned that he's a former NFLPA rep from his time as a player he knows intimately how hard players work and rely on those incentives.

He just has the modern day approach a HC should have with players. If player in FA doesn't sign here it won't be because Vrabel low balled them.

I think anyone who's able to go Sunday will play this game is still important.

Gillette needs to become a home field advantage again. I wouldn't want to end the season on a loss at home like 2019..