Here we are, the final game of the regular-season heads to Miami as the Patriots look to finish strong and avenge their week 1 defeat to a Dolphins side who will be once again without playoff football this season.

Hard Rock Stadium presents the season finale for the Patriots, who take on the Miami Dolphins, here’s your preview for Week 18!

One’s To Watch

Rhamondre Stevenson

Given that Damien Harris is still dealing with a slight hamstring issue, I can imagine them keeping his carry load low tomorrow, allowing him to be fresh for the wildcard game. If so, it could be a big day for Stevenson, who fumbled in week 1 against the Dolphins but has come on a long way since then, proving himself able to carry the backfield in Harris’ absence.

Nelson Agholor

Agholor returns to the team after clearing the concussion protocol, which kept him out for the last couple of weeks. The FA addition hasn’t had the first season in New England like we’d have hoped, but, he’ll be out there tomorrow with a chance to find some late season form before the playoffs.

Chase Winovich

Chase has been left out in the cold for most of this season, which is a shame as I feel he is a useful player. Tomorrow he might be back in the fray, though. With the news that Dont’a Hightower will now miss the game, Winovich could be more involved, along with Josh Uche, some wolverine aggression in Miami perhaps?

Myles Bryant

After standing out with an interception last week in the blowout win over the Jags, Bryant should be heavily involved again in the passing defense. He’s been up and down this season, but he’s certainly cutting his teeth in the league the hard way, and I do think he is improving gradually.

Dolphin Danger

Who for the Dolphins could cause problems for the Patriots?

Jaylen Waddle

I highlighted the rookie first-rounder before these two last met in the season opener, he had a pretty steady beginning to his time in the league, but he really stepped up into the second half of the season. Mac’s former college teammate is now only 22 yards short of a 1,000 receiving yard campaign. He’ll be Tua’s top target tomorrow.

Xavien Howard

Howard has had a much quieter season than his previous, only amassing 4 interceptions, to his 10 from the 2020 campaign. Still, stats aside he’s been a key part of Miami’s defense and will be looking to ruin Mac’s day tomorrow in coverage.

Emmanuel Ogbah

Ogbah leads the team in sacks on the season with 9.0. He will be the leader of an impressive Dolphins front who can get after the opposing quarterback.

Patriots Playoff Seeding Scenarios

Whilst playoff football is secured, the Pats still have a chance to secure the divisional title, amongst other things, starting tonight when Kansas City plays Denver. So, what could happen?

Patriots clinch no 1 AFC seed with:
NE win + BUF loss or tie + KC loss + TEN loss

Patriots clinch AFC East title with:
NE win + BUF loss or tie OR
NE tie + BUF loss

As things stand, the Patriots would travel to Buffalo to face the Bills for the third time this season in the wildcard game, we’ll know for sure what matchup it’ll be once week 18 finishes.

Prediction Corner

@ShawMellors – Patriots 24 – Dolphins 21

The Patriots continue with some momentum into the post-season with a close win down in Miami. Patriots 24 Fins 21

@clazzyclare – Patriots 33 – Dolphins 21

The Fins took a beating last week and could be out for some vengeance. The Patriots aren’t the team they were when these two last met and that is hopefully a good thing. The Patriots know what needs to be done and a couple of players (like my favourite, Hunter!) are used to warmer climates (kinda) and I see this one as a Pats win. Patriots 33 Fins 21

We made it! Another year is in the books and before I go into my preview for tomorrow’s game, I just wanted to express my thanks to all of you that have followed our coverage of the Patriots this year. We aren’t the biggest blog out there, but we enjoy what we do, and your support is so appreciated.

With that being said the Patriots host the Jacksonville Jaguars for their penultimate game of the regular season. Here’s your preview for Week 17!

One’s To Watch

Damien Harris

Whilst Rhamondre Stevenson is back from the COVID list to lend some support in the run game, you can still expect Damien Harris to lead the backfield against the Jags. Harris is questionable with the hamstring issue that’s been ailing him since the first Buffalo game, but he should be good to go and continue on from his big-scoring game last week against the Bills.

Offensive Line

With the Jags stricken by a COVID outbreak, especially across their front line, the Pats offensive line will be key tomorrow as I think establishing the run will be a top priority. The Jags haven’t been the best at preventing rushing play, that will be a huge key to victory for the Pats tomorrow.

Kendrick Bourne + Jakobi Meyers

With Nelson Agholor out with a concussion for the second-straight game, the passing attack shifts focus to Bourne and Meyers to produce the goods. Bourne was active against the Bills last week following a stint on the COVID list, but he didn’t really make much impact, finishing 2/4 catches for 33 yards, I think he’s due a bounce-back game tomorrow. Meyers on the other hand is on course for a career-high year in receiving yards, he needs just 6 receiving yards to equal his career-best of 729. Both will be key tomorrow.

Struggling Jags

Who for the Struggling Jags could cause problems for the Patriots?

Josh Allen

Not to be confused with his namesake in Buffalo, Allen has been a bright light in an otherwise dark season for the Jags. He leads the team in sacks (5.5) and also has an interception to his name so far. He’s just made it off the COVID list in time for tomorrow’s game, so there is no telling if that will play an impact in his performance, but he’s a solid player who could get after Mac tomorrow and force errors.

Dare Ogunbowal

That’s right, Dare Ogunbowal could cause problems for the Patriots. And you’re probably thinking to yourself, WHO? Well, with their starting back James Robinson out for the rest of the season with a torn Achilles, Ogunbowal will get his first career start tomorrow.

The reason I think there’s a chance he could have a game is down to the fact that the Pats haven’t been able to comfortably stop the run all year. Against the Titans earlier this season, they allowed 270 yards rushing to two relatively unknown running backs as the Titans were still without their franchise star, Derrick Henry.

Now, I’m not going to be putting money on Ogunbowal having a big game, but I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that he could run for at least 100 yards tomorrow.

Patriots Playoff Clinch Scenarios

New England clinches a playoff berth with:

1. NE win + MIA loss or tie OR
2. NE win + LV loss or tie OR
3. NE tie + MIA loss + LV loss + LAC loss or tie OR
4. NE tie + MIA loss + BAL loss or tie OR
5. NE tie + LV loss + LAC loss + BAL loss + PIT loss or tie OR
6. NE tie + LV loss + LAC loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + MIA win + BUF win

Prediction Corner

@ShawMellors – Patriots 28 – Jags 6

I don’t see this being a banana peel for the Pats, the Jags are banged up and struggling with COVID cases in their camp at the minute. They’ve managed to get some bodies back for the game, but it won’t matter as the Patriots will condemn them to another loss. Pats 28 Jags 6.

Happy holidays! The Patriots are back home this weekend as they take on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, with a chance to tie up the AFC East if they can secure a win, and Miami loses/ties. Here’s your preview for Week 16!

One’s To Watch

Mac Jones

Mac had his most rookie-like performance last week against the Colts, but, he had an encouraging finish, but in reality, he wasn’t very good. It’s a good chance for him to bounce back against the Bills when just a few weeks ago he only threw the ball 3 times. In this game, with the running back group not in its best shape, I think it’s a safe bet Mac will be throwing, probably more than normal.

Damien Harris

With Rhamondre Stevenson in some doubt for Sunday with a non-COVID illness, Damien Harris will be vital for the team following his recovery from a hamstring problem caused in the first Buffalo game.

With the Bills inability to stop the run in the first meeting, the Pats should be focused on establishing a similar game plan from the off, and Harris will need to be full go to do that.

Offensive Line

The line need to be better, especially on the left side that Isaiah Wynn covers. I don’t think we’ll see any shuffling of the lineup, but I expect to see a much better game out of the group as they really didn’t support Mac well last Sunday.

Kyle Dugger

Losing Dugger last Sunday to a stupid ejection was big, and you could feel his presence missing for the remainder of the game. Dugger wasn’t suspended and will be back tomorrow, I think he’ll have a big role across the defense, especially tracking Allen when he gets on the move.

Angry Bills

Who for the Bills could cause problems for the Patriots?

Josh Allen

We know what Josh Allen can do, his rise as one of the best QBs in the league has been a fun watch, he’s now an accurate passer with the ability to kill you with his running. Whilst he has a lot of upside, he is prone to costly errors and is always good for an interception.

Stefon Diggs

With Cole Beasley out on the COVID list, Diggs will be even more important for the Bills this Sunday. Diggs still managed to make some catches in the first meeting this season, but expect him to be heavily targeted this time around, I think he could be the difference-maker if the Bills were to get the win.

Prediction Corner

@ShawMellors – Patriots 20 – Bills 17

The Patriots manager to overcome the COVID adversity and defeat the Bills with a late Nick Folk field goal. Pats 20 Bills 17. Merry Christmas!

@clazzyclare – Patriots 30 – Bills 10

It’s no secret the Bills are a decent team and the loss against the Colts was far from ideal. However, the Pats beat the Bills at home, in their own house, so a Gillette success is achievable. Pats 30 Bills 10. Merry Christmas!