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The Patriots will begin preparations for Sunday’s game today, with Wednesday being the first day of what Mike Vrabel talked about as the club’s normal work schedule.
With the team settling into the facilities at Stanford, he’s already been vocal when it comes to how pleased he’s been with the environment as his team gets set to take on Seattle on Sunday.
This week definitely has some big questions. While Drake Maye’s status for Sunday is likely not in doubt, the availability of one key name is certainly one everyone will be watching.
Linebacker Robert Spillane suffered an ankle injury just 13 snaps into the AFC Championship game, which saw him leave the field and it put Jack Gibbens into the spotlight. Gibbens stepped in for Spillane and played every snap the rest of the way during the club’s 10-7 win in Denver two weeks ago.
However, against an offense like Seattle’s, having a veteran like Spillane out there is definitely the preferred option, provided he can play at a high enough level.
Spillane said earlier this week the team has “a plan scheduled for me to return to play,” with the club likely being careful as they work him back into the line-up. We’ve seen a cautious approach with fellow linebacker Harold Landry, who has seen limited playing time as he’s come back from his knee injury. Landry was out there for 11 snaps against Houston and was inactive in the AFC Championship.
As a result, he also remains a question mark heading into this weekend.
Meanwhile, Maye said on Monday that he felt good heading into Sunday’s game.
“I think [I] turned a corner, went on the flight, felt good from the flight, and throwing out there today,” said Maye. “I think I’ve turned a corner. I really had no doubt in being 100% for the game. This is the Super Bowl. We get two weeks to prepare for it, do whatever it’s got to do to get it right. I’ve got confidence and feel good.”
Vrabel sounded upbeat about his quarterback’s progress on Tuesday.
“I think that he spoke for himself on how he feels,” he said of Maye. “I can’t determine how he feels. I know that practice yesterday was good for him and for everybody to get out there and get moving around. We appreciate everybody at Stanford for providing us the facility that we have. I think we got the week off to a great start.”
When discussing the Seahawks this week, Vrabel expressed how important it’s going to be for his defense to be good in trying to have success on first and second down.
Vrabel said that one of the things that makes Seattle so dangerous is the fact that they’ve been so good on early downs, which has led to a lot of favorable third downs. That’s ended up contributing to the fact that the Seahawks were in the top half of the league both in time of possession (30:00) and first downs per game (20) in 2025. They were also tied for 7th in yards per game (351.4) this season.
“Well, I think obviously third down in the red zone will be critical, our ability to extend drives,” explained Vrabel. “They’re really good on third down. Offensively, they’ve done a great job. They’re first in the league in third and two to five. So if we play the game in third and two to five, the numbers would say that they’re going to be pretty good, and they’re going to give us a bunch of fits. But our ability in the red zone is to score two touchdowns and make them kick field goals.”
The other key to this game will likely be trying to get pressure on Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. That will definitely be challenging, especially considering that Seattle’s offensive line has been tough this year. They’ve done a good job in keeping him upright, and they’ve been solid in the ground game with running back Kenneth Walker gaining 178 yards through two games and 4 touchdowns this postseason.
When it comes to pass protection, Darnold was in the bottom half of the league in sacks this season with 27. Teams took him down just 5 times this postseason, and it’s not due to a lack of pressure. Darnold faced his fair share as teams tried to disrupt him, but what has stood out to Vrabel is how good Darnold has been even when he’s been under pressure during this postseason.
“I think he’s handled it well,” said Vrabel. “I think that, again, there’s a willingness to stand in the pocket, and there’s a willingness to progress through. A lot of talent. I think his courage to stand in there… I mean, the Rams nailed him, and he completed an unbelievable pass to Cooper on the sideline. So he didn’t shy away, didn’t duck, didn’t fade back. He stood there and faced the fire, which is what you have to do in this league if you’re going to be an elite quarterback.”
One reporter pointed out that, looking at Seattle’s defense, they’ve given up the second-most yards after the catch, which could create an opportunity for New England this weekend. Still, Vrabel said the goal heading into this game will be trying to stay balanced, because having it turn into a game where they have to start dropping back on each play is something he doesn’t want to see unfold.
“Well, we’ll have to stay balanced,” said Vrabel. “Our best games, we’re able to provide some semblance of a run game, and we’re able to marry some of the play-action passes. I don’t think in this league you want to turn things into a drop-back passing game. That makes it really difficult.”
“They’re good up front. They play a lot of people. They’re disruptive. They work well together with games. They don’t give up many X plays. I think that those numbers, whichever you’re alluding to, isn’t because they’re not good tacklers. They’re really good tacklers. It’s just sometimes in the shell that they’re in, some of the underneath coverage is a little bit deeper. But I think they’re a very good tackling football team, and you can tell the fundamentals that they play with across the board.”
Vrabel was asked about Robert Kraft being kept out of the Hall of Fame on Tuesday. “I would just say that that’s unfortunate,” said Vrabel. “I would say that in my experiences with Robert, he’s more than deserving, and he’ll be in the Hall of Fame. I’m not in charge of deciding when that happens.” … He was also asked about the international fans this week, with many of them staying up until 3:00 am to watch the games. “I think it’s amazing the reach that our game has,” said Vrabel. “When I played or coached overseas, I was able to play in a preseason game in Ireland. My rookie year in Pittsburgh, was able to play in a preseason game in Mexico City, coached overseas, and just the excitement that the fans have in seeing us. I want to thank them for everything that they’ve done and will continue to do to support our football league.” … When asked about which role he’s enjoyed more, being a player or being a coach, he’s already given his players some advice. “I’ve always told our players, ‘play as long as you can, then you have to get a real job,’” he said. “So nothing beats playing in the National Football League, but this is pretty close.” … Sunday will see two rookies starting on the Patriots offensive line in Will Campbell and Jared Wilson. Vrabel views that as being less about experience and credited both for their maturity. “We never really looked at it as rookie players on the left side,” said Vrabel. “I don’t really get into that much. We talk about maturity. Maturity is based on experience, not age. They have a lot of experience here this entire year.” … Vrabel also talked about defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald recently revealed is cancer free, and Vrabel is glad that he’s out in California with the team. “He’s doing great,” said Vrabel. “He is cancer-free, and he was able to come in and be a part of things that we were doing late in the season based on how he was feeling. It was great to have him around, based on his health and what he felt. Certainly great to have him out here this week. I would say that he has a reach to all three phases in the players on our team and through our staff. So I’m glad that he can be out here to enjoy this and also help us prepare.”
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