Patriots enter biggest game since perhaps Tom Brady’s finale

Foxboro, Massachusetts. – Quick thoughts and notes on New England Patriots and NFL:

1. High stakes: The Patriots will win the AFC East title if they beat Buffalo Bills on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS), making it the franchise's highest game at Gillette Stadium since…

• January 1, 2023, when a 23–21 victory over the Miami Dolphins evened their record at 8–8 and kept their playoff hopes alive (they lost the following week on the road and failed to qualify);

• on Jan. 2, 2022, when a 50-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars improved them to 10-6 at quarterback. Mac Jonesrookie season and they made the playoffs (they lost in the wild card round on the road);

• On January 4, 2020, a 20–13 loss to the Mike Vrabel-coached Tennessee Titans in the wild-card round of the playoffs ended the season at 12–5 and ultimately became Tom Brady's final game for the franchise.

The answer may vary depending on one's point of view, but for those who chose the Brady ending, there is no doubt that it is the most compelling choice. It's been a long five years for the Patriots since their 2025 resurgence was sparked by Vrabel, whose presence at the home line on Sunday brings the high-stakes game full circle.

“This is a great stage that we put ourselves on,” Vrabel said.

Vrabel, in his introductory press conference as coach of the Patriots on Jan. 13, called a division title the team's first goal. He also shared this with the players.

“Coach said it at the beginning of the year: 'Win the division.' Everyone probably says that in the league at their first team meeting,” quarterback. Drake Maye said. “It’s really exciting how it came to life and we have a chance to do it this week.”

That they were able to achieve this against the reigning champions adds to the atmosphere of a big game.

“They've won the division for five years, so we have a lot to take from,” May said. “We know it will be difficult to do. But we are ready for this.”

Veteran receiver Stefon Diggs added: “This game is a little different because you're playing for something. There is something to play for. Every team in the league can't say that this week.”

By the time the players left the locker room after the final practice of the week on Friday, there was both excitement and a reminder not to approach their preparation or performance any differently than they had in previous weeks.

Outside midfielder Anfernee Jenningswho joins the offensive lineman Mike Onwenu As the Patriots' longest-tenured player in six seasons, he touched on that balance while relishing the chance to play in such a big game.

“It's nice. This is very important for us because at the beginning of the season we set ourselves the goal of winning the division and making the playoffs. This would be another step in that direction,” Jennings said. “We've been trying to prepare all offseason, but right now we shouldn't make it too big of a point and just go out and do what we do and execute the game plan.”

2. Landry and Watt: Patriots outside linebacker Harold Landry III spoke with CBS football analyst JJ Watt on Friday via video conference. Watt will provide analysis of the Patriots-Bills game along with Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and Evan Washburn (secondary line), and Landry assessed the call as part of CBS' standard production meetings leading up to games.

“It's kind of surreal because when I came into the league he was still playing for Houston and I just remember we had to make sure he didn't ruin the game,” he said. “You're watching him from afar, a future Hall of Famer, so talking to him as peers was cool.”

Vrabel also touched on his conversation with Watt, whom he coached as an assistant with the Texans (2014-17), noting his respect for him: “Hearing from former players about what we're doing and what they see, I think that's always a good perspective. To think, 'Hey, we're moving in the right direction,' and they kind of see what we're trying to do.”

3. Growth Mindset: Diggs, in his 11th NFL season, acknowledged that the Patriots (11-2) came together faster than he expected.

“I've been on a lot of teams. I would wholeheartedly say yes,” he said.

4. Quiet Excavations: Diggs has less than 30 receiving yards in each of his last two games, the longest streak of his career. This has happened five more times, most recently with the December 2023 bills.

That could mean he faces a big game against his former team like he did in Week 5 when he had a season-high 10 catches for 146 yards. However, Diggs said he is not focused on individual statistics, but on the unselfish nature of the team's receiving corps.

“I would never sit here and act like a robot and act like I don’t need the ball. Everyone wants the ball and the opportunity to play at a high level, but it's like seven dogs and one bone,” he said. “You see guys playing at a high level and treating every game like it’s their last, you just don’t know when you’ll get it again. There are a lot of guys who can open up. It's selfless. [group]and you are reaching for your brother.”

5. Elliss Appears: Midfielder Christian Ellis' devastating blow to Giants defender Jackson Dart in Week 13 gave the Patriots some energy as Elliss ran to the sideline before making the right punt. The first quarter play underscored some of the growth that coaches have seen in the 26-year-old Elliss.

“I like his development right now,” linebackers coach and defensive tackle Zach Coore said.

Elliss ranks third on the team with 54 tackles and also leads the club with 14 special teams tackles.

“He’s really getting better every week,” Coore said. “The fact that he cares so much can lead to growth, but sometimes you need to be there for him and [say]“Hey man, it’s okay to make mistakes.” If he made a mistake at the beginning of the season, he had to punish himself harshly. No one can get a perfect grade. He plays fast, free, aggressive and within the scheme.”

6. Launch D concern? Through the first nine weeks of the season, the Patriots allowed just 3.6 yards per rushing attempt, which ranked them third in the NFL. But since Week 10, they've given up 4.9 yards per rush, which is 29th worst in that span.

So there's some quarterback trouble on the horizon. Josh AllenI'm running back James Cook III and the Bills, who rank first in the NFL in averaging 5.1 yards per rush?

The Patriots' decline coincided in part with a better defensive tackle. Milton Williams landing on the injured reserve part (ankle). The focus was back to building the wall, setting the edges and swarming.

Coore also praised the Bills' scheme, saying, “They put everything together pretty well, and they do what they do well and will repeat it. They have a solid offensive line, an extremely talented running back, and a quarterback who can go the distance any time he wants. They are committed to it and that makes the game difficult.”

7. McDaniels Soundbites: Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was a guest on “The Schrager Hour” with ESPN's Peter Schrager and was asked to share brief thoughts on the players on the roster. His answers about two former Bills receivers now in New England:

• Diggs: “Bulldog. Grinder. Competitive. There's an intensity to him that's hard to describe.”

• WR Mac Hollins: “Chess piece. The most unselfish teammate I've ever been.”

8. Henderson and Dillon: Newbie running back TreVeyon Hendersonthe second-round pick out of Ohio State has gained at least 50 yards in each of his last six games. If he reaches that mark on Sunday against the Bills, he will become the first Patriots player since Corey Dillon (2004-05) to have 50 or more rushing yards in seven straight games, according to ESPN Research.

McDaniels noted the “incredible mentality” of Henderson, who had not reached 40 yards in any of the first seven games of the season. “He's there every day, every rep and he does it as fast as he can – which we know is explosive – and he's running back and he's ready to do it again. For a young player with that mindset and approach, it's easy to see why he needs to improve,” McDaniels said of Henderson on The Schrager Hour.

9. Pats-Jets to Fox: What led to the Patriots' road game against the Jets on Sunday, Dec. 28 (1:00 p.m. ET) being moved from CBS to Fox? Here's a quick overview, from those familiar with the league's thinking, that sheds light on the complexities of scheduling television programs:

• The NFL had five possible games to play on Saturday, December 27, and the final choice was Texans-Chargers (NFL Network) and Ravens-Packers (Peacock). That meant Giants-Raiders, one of five possible games to choose from, was moved to Sunday.

• The Giants-Raiders game could air on Fox at 4:05 p.m., but that would require moving daytime games like Cardinals-Bengals or Seahawks-Panthers to 4:05 p.m. on CBS.

• Instead, it was proposed to air Giants-Raiders on CBS at 4:05 p.m., meaning the Patriots-Jets game had to be switched to Fox so both New York teams could be broadcast in New York.

• An added benefit: It also allows fans in New York and Las Vegas to catch the Eagles-Bills game on Fox that same day at 4:25 p.m.

10. Did you know? NFL teams entering their bye week when the Patriots enter on Sunday are 87-68-1 over the last five seasons (.561) and 16-12 this year (.571).