The New England Patriots may have clinched a playoff spot, but they have already set their sights on another goal: winning their division for the first time since the 2019 season. In order to do so, they are
going to need to maintain their one-game lead over the Buffalo Bills — and to do that, a win over the New York Jets on Sunday is crucial (one that if paired with a Bills loss to the Eagles would actually wrap up the AFC East in the Patriots’ favor).
The Jets, of course, are in the midst of another underwhelming season. At 3-12, they will finish with a losing record for a 10th straight year and have shown little signs of promise. There are a few noteworthy players, but the Patriots are entering the game as big favorites for a reason: they should be able to win this one fairly comfortably.
In order to do so, however, they will need contributions from all layers of their depth chart. With seven players ruled out for the game, after all, the pressure is on the backups at multiple spots to rise to the occasion. And with that said, here is our list of pivotal Patriots for Week 17.
RB TreVeyon Henderson
The Patriots’ second-round rookie was placed in concussion protocol after sustaining a head injury in last week’s win over the Baltimore Ravens, but he still managed to practice this week. Henderson started out as a limited participant, but was upgraded to full participation by Friday — an indication that he should be good to go despite the questionable tag he is carrying into the weekend.
If indeed cleared for game action, one would expect him to play a prominent role in New England’s plan against the Jets. Henderson, after all, had one of the best games of his young career in the first matchup with New York’s defense, gaining 67 scrimmage yards and scoring a trio of touchdowns in a 27-14 victory.
Considering his recent injury as well as Rhamondre Stevenson being available this time around — he was out in Week 11 with a toe issue — it will be interesting to see how Henderson is employed, and whether or not he can duplicate the success he has had against the Jets.
WR Kyle Williams
Speaking strictly in terms of volume, Williams appears to have had an uninspiring rookie season so far. Although appearing in 15 games, he has caught just seven passes while primarily serving as the Patriots’ fifth wide receiver. However, he has managed to make the most of those opportunities: on his seven catches, the third-round draft pick has gained a combined 189 yards and found the end zone three times — including on a 37-yard score last Sunday in Baltimore.
With starting perimeter receivers Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins both out due to injury this week, the Patriots will rely on Williams to build on this success. Likewise, they will want him to perform not just as a rotational option but a top-two wideout alongside veteran Stefon Diggs.
The last time he was given an extended look between Weeks 9 and 11, he was unable to do so. The first game against the Jets was particularly disappointing, with him and Drake Maye failing to get on the same page multiple times.
Now, Williams will get another crack at the Jets —and at proving himself worthy of a more prominent role down the stretch.
WR Efton Chism III
The Patriots missing the aforementioned Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins moves the entirety of the wide receiver depth chart up two spots, including Efton Chism. Unlike the last two weeks, when he was a healthy scratch, the undrafted rookie should be expected to make the game day roster this time around — and then some.
While his actual workload will depend on the availability of fellow slot receiver DeMario Douglas, who is questionable with a hamstring injury, Chism seeing some opportunities as a third or fourth receiving target could happen. It would be a new experience for a player whose offensive snap count has been limited this season, and who has not been the target of even a single pass so far.
TE Austin Hooper
Down at least two of their top four wide receivers, the Patriots will likely not just rely on a bunch of rookies or practice squad elevations to help fill the void. They also might turn to one of the most experienced players on their team, tight end Austin Hooper.
While Hooper caught two passes for 34 total yards against the Ravens, he is in the middle of a comparatively quiet stretch. After averaging 54% of offensive snaps before New England’s Week 13 bye, he is down to only 31%. in the two games since. The game plans for those particular contests played a role in that, but the team apparently was comfortable reducing his workload relative to his earlier usage.
Against New York, however, an uptick might be in the cards again. While not as dynamic a receiver as Kyle Williams or, at least based on his preseason tape, Efton Chism, Hooper’s experience and positional flexibility might make him a valuable piece to have this week. Don’t be surprised if the Patriots make 12-personnel with him and Hunter Henry at tight end their standard offensive grouping on Sunday.
DT Eric Gregory
With Milton Williams not yet ready to return from injured reserve, Khyiris Tonga out with a “one- to two-week” foot injury and Joshua Farmer sent to IR earlier this week, the Patriots’ interior defensive line has seen better days. Christian Barmore is still around to hold down the fort, but he cannot do the job alone: the team will need others to step up, especially against a running back as talented as New York’s Breece Hall.
Besides Barmore, there are two other defensive tackles on the active roster, Cory Durden and Eric Gregory. Based on last week’s game against the Ravens, which saw Tonga limited to only 17 snaps, both will be actively involved in the rotation.
Our focus, however, will primarily be on Gregory. The lesser-used of the two so far this year, he is well-built to defend the run against a Jets team likely willing to put a heavy emphasis on their ground game come Sunday. The Patriots might opt to install the 320-pounder as their Tonga replacement on the nose, with Durden and a potential practice squad elevation providing depth on later downs and in passing situations.
ED Anfernee Jennings
Harold Landry has flirted with inactivity for a while, nursing a knee injury for a few weeks now. This week, it finally happened: the team captain is out against the Jets.
Landry missing his first game since the 2022 season opens the door for somebody else to step up on the edge. The Patriots will likely make the exercise a group effort, with Elijah Ponder, Jahlani Tavai and possibly Bradyn Swinson all providing some snaps. However, the main man might be Anfernee Jennings, who head coach Mike Vrabel praised for his involvement following the win in Baltimore.
A starter the last two seasons, Jennings has been relegated to backup duty under Vrabel and his new-look defensive staff. However, he remains an able run defender at the outside linebacker position and as such should have plenty of value against Breece Hall and the Jets’ rushing attack.
