The Miami Dolphins visit the New England Patriots on Sunday as part of the NFL’s Week 18 schedule as the 2025 regular season comes to a close. This will be the final game of the year for the Dolphins while the Patriots are preparing for the playoffs and have a chance to claim the top seed in the AFC playoff picture with a win in this game and some help elsewhere.
To get a closer look at the Patriots, who beat Miami back in Week 2, I turned to our friends and rivals over at Pats Pulpit to talk about
the turnaround in New England, the legal issues that exploded this week, a surprisingly low number of Pro Bowl selections, and more. Taylor Kyles, as always, was kind enough to answer my Patriots questions.
You can check out the Dolphins side of our conversation over on Pats Pulpit.
How do you think the Patriots balance the chance to get the top seed in the AFC versus protecting players for a potential playoff game next week? I know Mike Vrabel has said the starters will play, but will we see them pulled if the Denver Broncos jump out to a big lead against the Los Angeles Chargers, who are expected to rest their starters?
Last week in New York, the Patriots benched as many starters as possible after seizing a sizable lead midway through the third quarter. I think their dream scenario would be a repeat of that performance, but starters will play as long as it takes to win.
Mike Vrabel is big on playing to an identity, and rolling over before the game is in hand one week before the playoffs would be very off-brand. Players battling injury may be on a snap count, but as Vrabel told reporters this week, everyone who’s healthy will play.
How much of a distraction has the Stefon Diggs and Christian Barmore legal issues been this week?
It’s come up with just about every player and coach interviewed this week, and all have insisted they are ignoring outside “noise” and focusing on the Dolphins. I think that’s impossible to do fully given the circumstances, but this team has shown impressive mental toughness throughout the season.
Stefon Diggs acknowledged the situation has had an effect on him, but he’s known for his focus on the field. I’d be mildly surprised if Diggs or Christian Barmore’s play is significantly impacted.
I was surprised that, as much of a great story the Patriots have been this year and being tied for the top spot in the AFC playoff picture, they only landed two Pro Bowl selections in quarterback Drake Maye and cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Who was snubbed? Is there a player who has flown under the radar but will have a big impact on this game or in the playoffs?
Hunter Henry was probably the most deserving player who wasn’t voted in. Many would be surprised to learn he’s never earned a Pro Bowl nod, and this was the tight-end’s best season. He has excellent rapport with Drake Maye, whose aggressiveness and accuracy have added a downfield element to the 31-year-old’s game. Henry is also a versatile piece of Josh McDaniel’s offense, spending time in-line, in the slot, and even at flanker in some run schemes.
Marcus Jones has been an elite punt returner since entering the league in 2022, and he had a career-year that included two touchdowns. Jones has also emerged as one of the league’s best slot cornerbacks, providing physical run defense, sticky coverage, and excellent ball skills. I wouldn’t say he was snubbed because Chimere Dike was more than deserving, but Jones had a Pro Bowl-caliber season as a returner. The games must also expand to include slot corners, as it’s nearly impossible for the role to earn accolades given the perception of the position.
What has been the biggest surprise of the year for the Patriots? The biggest disappointment?
Drake Maye putting up a Pro Bowl season has to take the cake for biggest surprise. I thought the Patriots could win 13 games this season, in large part because of the pairing of Maye and McDaniels, but no one could’ve seen this coming. He’s shown rapid improvement going all the way back to the summer, maturing as a decision-maker, pocket manager, and leader. Poor ball security and inaccuracy have held him back at times, but those are typically outshined by stretches of virtually perfect play. He quickly deciphers disguises and blitzes, and he’s virtually unphased by pressure. As long as New England continues to build around him, I truly don’t think there’s a ceiling to what Maye can become as he continues to learn and grow.
One nice thing about Vrabel’s staff is that few players have truly disappointed, but Barmore’s play has taken a step back from his dominant 2023 season. Blood clots kept Barmore out for most of last season, which must be considered when assessing his 2025 performance. That said, he isn’t the same fluid athlete he was at his past peak. Barmore’s been a liability against the run at times, and he rarely reaches the passer despite racking up hurries. If I were New England, I’d be searching for a trade partner who’d be willing to take on Barmore’s contract this offseason.
In 2024, the Patriots were 4-13. In 2025, they are 13-3 heading into this week. Adding Mike Vrabel and having Drake Maye develop into an MVP candidate have made an enormous impact, but we have all seen the one-year jump with a new head coach, followed by regression in year two. I know you are enjoying this year, but what have you seen that leads you to believe this is a return to New England fighting for the top spot in the AFC East each year, rather than a one-year spike?
The trio of Vrabel, Maye, and McDaniels is a championship-caliber foundation that could be together for the next two decades. Vrabel is a proven franchise leader and Coach of the Year winner. McDaniels has invaluable experience working with arguably the greatest head coach and quarterback of all time on top of his own impressive resume as a coordinator. I’ve already gushed about Maye, but he truly is the real deal.
This offseason, EVP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf and his front office built on that foundation with outstanding free agent and draft classes. Milton Williams has been a difference-maker when healthy, Robert Spillane is the heart of the defense, and re-signing Jaylinn Hawkins has emerged as a play-maker under this new regime. New England has also gotten half a dozen starters out of their rookie class, which has played a large part in elevating a 4-12 team to a legit contender. If they can sustain anything near that hit rate, the Patriots should go back to becoming one of the premier threats in the AFC for years to come.
