{"id":64178,"date":"2026-01-04T05:00:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T10:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=64178"},"modified":"2026-01-03T08:47:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T13:47:15","slug":"patriots-news-01-04-players-to-watch-against-the-dolphins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/01\/04\/patriots-news-01-04-players-to-watch-against-the-dolphins\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots News 01-04, Players To Watch Against The Dolphins"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning. Here is your Patriots news, 01-04, and NFL notes this week. We hope everyone had a great New Year\u2019s Eve. Barbequed boneless ribs on the smoker were the order of the day\/night.\u00a0 Let\u2019s all hope 2026 is a much better year than 2025. Stay safe and well folks. And thanks for all the support.<\/span><\/p>\n

After clinching the AFC East last week at 13-3, the Patriots still have a chance ( a long shot) of securing the #1 seed in the AFC and getting a bye for Wildcard Weekend. They\u2019ll have to beat Miami and have the Chargers, who are resting several starters, including QB Justin Herbert, beat the Broncos in Denver.<\/span><\/p>\n

They could use the bye week to heal up several key members of both the offense and the defense who are missing. Robert Spillane, Harold Landry, Mack Hollins,, Khyiris Tonga, and Jared Wilson will all miss today\u2019s game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news is that Milton Williams and Will Campbell may return today and knock the rust off after missing a month due to injuries. Today\u2019s game is about taking care of business and at least securing the #2 seed and seeing what happens in Denver.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the chances of the Bolts upsetting them are low.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick Hitters For the Patriots and NFL News:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Vederian Lowe: <\/b>The Patriots are expected to get Will Campbell back today, and they\u2019ll welcome their first-round pick back with open arms with the playoffs right around the corner. But Lowe has played really well in Campbell\u2019s absence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In four games since Campbell was injured, Lowe allowed just one sack, and his performance was light-years ahead of where he was a year ago. Lowe credited OL coach Doug Marrone with his strong play this year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And kudos to Mike Vrabel for allowing Lowe to address the media last week. It was a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but it was a big deal to Lowe, and don\u2019t think for a moment that it didn\u2019t resonate inside the locker room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Robert Kraft:<\/b> Although not Patriots-related, Kraft and the Kraft Sports Group have made a deal to build a $500 million stadium for the New England Revolution in the city of Everett.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUnder the agreements, we will undertake significant environmental remediation and demolition of the long\u2011vacant powerplant, invest in extensive traffic and transportation improvements, and deliver substantial community benefits, including millions of dollars towards infrastructure improvements,\u201d the Kraft Group\u2019s announcement said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stefon Diggs: <\/b>Diggs had 101 yards on six receptions and a touchdown on Sunday against the Jets in only one half of work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diggs needs just 30 yards in the final game today against Miami to reach 1,000 yards on the season. Diggs has been the Patriots\u2019 leading receiver and back in Week 2 against the Dolphins, Diggs was just getting his feel back for the game after his ACL injury and had four catches for 32 yards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dolphins\u2019 HC Mike McDaniel: <\/b>Asked about RB Jaylen Wright and his ability to answer the bell if De\u2019Von Achane can\u2019t play today, McDaniel spoke highly of Wright\u2019s ability to step up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, I think it’s just being prepared for your opportunity. I’ve made my opinions clear on Jaylen Wright since we drafted him and right now, it just so happens that I think he’s at the top of his game since I’ve been around him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s playing with a lot of confidence, a lot of conviction. He’s thinking less, reacting more. I think it speaks to this commonality in the National Football League that if your eyes are down, you have earmuffs on, you ignore this continued pattern \u2013 you have to be ready for your opportunity and not worry about when your opportunity is coming. If you focus on your game and being prepared and being capable, which is easier when you’re behind a Pro Bowl running back, I think they appreciate each other’s game, and he understands why De’Von gets all the touches he gets.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut in the process, building his game up from the preseason all the way through the year, I wasn’t surprised when he had a 100-yard game a couple weeks ago, and he’s ready against an opponent that has different players and a little different scheme, but he had a good outing last time he was in Gillette.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI feel very fortunate, and our team is fortunate to have multiple ball carriers that we trust. Yeah, you don’t replace directly if ‘Von’ can’t go, but instead you utilize all of your players, including your entire running back room, and give them opportunities that they probably otherwise wouldn’t have.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can’t say enough good things about Jaylen Wright because he’s always been talented, he’s always been a hard worker; but this was a different mental test with high ambitions going into the season and then being inactive and he’s come out of it being the best version of himself which I think is something that I’m hoping all the young players pay attention to because it’s real.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots No Huddle Podcast:<\/b> Mike, Derek, and I recorded our post-game podcast after the Jets game. Derek and I also did a Dolphins preview as Mike was beset with connectivity issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll have our Dolphins post-game podcast later tonight, and by then we\u2019ll know who the Patriots are facing and when.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please check it out. And be sure to like, share, and leave us a review.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Russ Francis\/Chuck Fairbanks:<\/b> The former Patriot tight end and head coach should be in the Patriots team Hall of Fame, and the fact that Francis isn\u2019t is an absolute travesty. Francis and the Raiders\u2019 Dave Casper changed how teams used the tight end position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This will be displayed in our Sunday posts until it happens. Casper is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Francis\u2019 numbers stand up well against Casper\u2019s, yet he isn\u2019t even in the team\u2019s HOF.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots Players To Watch Against The Dolphins<\/b><\/h3>\n

So, the Patriots are still a banged-up bunch heading into the final week of the regular season. Harold Landry, Robert Spillane, Khyiris Tonga, and Jared Wilson are all out today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately for the Dolphins, they are banged up too. Minkah Fitzpatrick won\u2019t play today, and TE Darren Waller was placed on IR. WR Jaylen Waddle is questionable with a rib injury.<\/span><\/p>\n

And Miami\u2019s do-everything back De\u2019Von Achane didn\u2019t practice this week because of a shoulder injury. He is doubtful to play today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With nothing to play for, he may sit it out, and if he does, it would be a significant loss for Miami. He accounts for 36 percent of Miami\u2019s offense. If he can\u2019t go, it will be Ollie Gordon and Jaylen Wright running the ball.<\/span><\/p>\n

With that in mind, here are (from a Patriots\u2019 perspective) the players to watch in today\u2019s game.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drake Maye: <\/b>Now, it is about taking care of business and preparing for the playoffs, and after his monster game against the Jets, Maye is probably the favorite now in the running for the MVP this season. He should be primed for another big game against a Dolphins secondary that is middle of the pack.<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019ll have to identify the creeper pressure and take advantage of the defensive lineman who drops into coverage, something he did last week against the Jets with Rhamondre Stevenson.<\/span><\/p>\n

Way back in Week 2, Maye carved up Miami\u2019s secondary, going 19-23 for 230 yards and a pair of touchdown passes along with a rushing score. Miami\u2019s secondary hasn\u2019t gotten any better since that game, so with Maye targeting Diggs, Hunter Henry, and getting Kayshon Boutte back this week, the Patriots\u2019 passing game should find plenty of room to work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keeping Maye protected is always a key factor. Miami has a couple of good edge rushers in Bradley Chubb and Chop Robinson, so that plays into our next player to watch today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Will Campbell\/Vederian Lowe:<\/b> The Patriots are expecting their starting left tackle back after a month on IR, and he\u2019ll be facing Chubb, who leads Miami with 8.5 sacks.<\/span><\/p>\n

The team will probably want to ease him back into action, given that he\u2019s been out for four games, and Lowe, who has played well, will see some action against Chubb.\u00a0 Miami has been better against the run the past five games, so we\u2019ll see if the run blocking is up to the task today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Milton Williams:<\/b> Another player who may be activated off IR is Williams. The Patriots’ run defense has suffered without Williams and Robert Spillane, and although Spillane is out again this week, getting Williams back would be a huge plus for the Patriots\u2019 front seven.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019ll be facing rookie LG Jonah Savaiinaea, who has struggled this year. It may be an opportunity for Williams to get back into the flow of the game this week and help out the Patriots\u2019 pass rush that could use a jolt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is unclear if Achane will play today (he\u2019s doubtful). But he\u2019s such a big part of the Dolphins\u2019 offense, and if he does play, he can single-handedly take over a game. In Week 2, the Patriots held him to just 30 yards rushing, but he gained 92 yards through the air. Holding him in check will fall on the front seven, especially in the running game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stefon Diggs: <\/b>The Patriots\u2019 leading receiver needs only 30 yards to break 1,000 yards for the seventh time in his career. In the past two games against Baltimore and the Jets, Diggs has gained 138 and 101 yards, respectively, so despite his off-field issues right now, he\u2019s been on a roll.<\/span><\/p>\n

Look for Maye to target Diggs early and often in this one. He could be looking at another big game to finish off the regular season. And although they publicly pooh-pooh individual stats, Maye and the coaching staff are well aware of what Diggs\u2019s numbers are.<\/span><\/p>\n

Christian Gonzalez:<\/b> His matchup with Jaylen Waddle will be a key area to watch today. Miami\u2019s leading receiver, Waddle has outstanding speed, and Miami loves to use him on those quick slants and crossers where they freeze linebackers with their play action and create a void for him to work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gonzalez will be matched up with Waddle for the majority of the game, and Miami, with nothing to play for, knows Waddle needs 90 yards to break 1,000 yards this season. He\u2019ll see plenty of passes come his way.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NFL Week 18 Predictions:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The schedule this final week is a tough one as teams with nothing to play for may opt to sit players who are banged up, but might otherwise suit up and play.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Big games on Saturday (this was written on Friday evening) and on Sunday night will determine division winners and in the TB-Car and Pit-Bal games, who wins and who is eliminated from the playoffs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now we\u2019ll see how the rest of the schedule goes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Saturday Games:<\/b><\/p>\n

Tampa Bay over Carolina<\/span>
\n<\/span>San Francisco over Seattle\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday Day Games:<\/b>
\n<\/span>Atlanta over New Orleans<\/span>
\n<\/span>Cincinnati over Cleveland<\/span>
\n<\/span>Green Bay over Minnesota<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dallas over NYG<\/span>
\n<\/span>Jacksonville over Tennessee<\/span>
\n<\/span>Houston over Indianapolis<\/span>
\n<\/span>Buffalo over NYJ<\/span>
\n<\/span>Chicago over Detroit<\/span>
\n<\/span>Kansas City over Las Vegas<\/span>
\n<\/span>Denver over LA Chargers<\/span>
\n<\/span>LA Rams over Arizona<\/span>
\n<\/span>New England over Miami<\/span>
\n<\/span>Philadelphia over Washington<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday Night Football:<\/b><\/p>\n

Baltimore over Pittsburgh<\/span><\/p>\n

Last Week\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 9\u20147<\/b><\/p>\n

2025 Season\u00a0 \u00a0 173\u201482\u20141<\/b><\/p>\n

2024 Season<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>204\u201468\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

2023 Season\u00a0 \u00a0 178\u201494\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

2022 Season: \u00a0 178\u201492\u20142<\/b><\/p>\n

2021 Season: \u00a0 183\u201488\u20141<\/b><\/p>\n

2020 Season: \u00a0 169\u201486\u20141\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

2019 Season: \u00a0 162\u201493\u20141<\/b><\/p>\n

Mike Vrabel Quotes This Week:<\/b><\/h3>\n

“<\/span><\/i>I saw an energy at that Tampa Bay game. I saw youthful energy. A guy who’s trying to take advantage of his opportunity, and again, sometimes when you put younger players in there, especially quarterbacks, you see them getting up and celebrating.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cHe had a big scramble at the end of the game, and in five minutes there was a first down. It was a big play for him. A lot of energy. He seems to have good command of the operation. There’s a lot of moving parts with that offense, the shifts, the motions, the jet motions, the ball handling. It’s not just standard. He’s under center, he’s in the gun, he’s in the pistol, and then being able to execute the play action and the boot game. I think he’s gotten off to a good start.<\/span><\/i>“<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Mike Vrabel was asked about Miami rookie QB Quinn Ewer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat one’s been around since I played here. Anything that we can do to support the Foxborough High School football team, I am willing to do. Maybe next year we can tie in a scrimmage before our stadium scrimmage, or we’ll come up with something creative, I’m sure. Give me and Stretch [John Streicher] a year and we’ll come up with something.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Mike Vrabel was asked about playing the Foxborough High School Football team, a running joke since the earliest days of Bill Belichick\u2019s tenure.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would say that through Jeremy Springer and Tom Quinn’s efforts to explain to me their group of core guys, he kept coming up.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cHe had to play defense, but he was on every single special team, and was the wing. I think they described him as a selfless player who would do anything he could to help the football team and who played a lot of defense.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cSeemed like a veteran guy that we would want to have around. And then in the conversations that we had with me, Eliot [Wolf], [Ryan Cowden], and Stretch [John Streicher], were excited to be able to bring him back.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s earned everything that he has now with the production, the play time. Keeps working, it means a lot to him. He’s a fun guy to coach, and I’m happy that he’s having success.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Vrabel was asked how he feels about the season that Jaylinn Hawkins is having.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

_______________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Somebody asked me what success looks like, and I said, \u2018Yeah, you can judge it by wins and losses during the season, but success for me in the offseason is going to be that the players believe in what we\u2019re doing, and they believe in the message, they believe in the teaching, and they believe in the connections that we\u2019re making<\/span><\/i>.\u2019\u201d \u2014 Mike Vrabel<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at<\/span><\/i> stevebpatsfans@gmail.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to our<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 <\/span>PatsFans.com<\/span><\/a> Patriots No Huddle <\/span><\/i><\/a>podcasts on Apple and YouTube as Derek Havens, Mike D\u2019Abate, and I discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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