FOXBORO — The Patriots’ goal has not changed as they enter Week 17 with a 12-3 record. They want to win the AFC East.
Mike Vrabel’s squad controls its own destiny to win the division. With wins over the Jets and Dolphins, they’ll win the division for the first time since Tom Brady was at quarterback in 2019.
Quarterback Drake Maye was asked about the team’s vision over the last two weeks after clinching a playoff spot with Sunday night’s win over the Ravens.
“It’s as simple as go win the division. That’s what the goal was. It wasn’t to make the playoffs. It was to win the division, and that’s what we’re going to try to do,” Maye said.
That was the Patriots’ goal even before they shocked the world by going on a 10-game winning streak midway through the season.
And it’s still the goal as they currently stand tied with the Broncos and Seahawks for the NFL’s best record.
“Just unfinished business. I can’t focus on the next two weeks. We’ve got to focus on this week and going on the road to a great environment, going to New York City, play the Jets and unfinished business,” Vrabel said. “We want to be undefeated on the road. I think that that’s something that’s unique. I’m sure you guys will tell me how many times it’s happened before, but there you go. So, that’s something that I think is special. Still want to play for the division. We want to win the division. Haven’t done it in a long time.”
The Jets and Dolphins will try to stand in their way and play spoiler with rookies at quarterback. The Jets are currently starting undrafted rookie Brady Cook at QB, while the Dolphins have turned to seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers.
Vrabel isn’t taking the Jets lightly.
“Whoever we put out there and whoever we play with is going to have to have that in mind and be prepared to do that against a team that’s playing some young guys,” Vrabel said. “They’ve got some good veterans. They’re playing well on third down defensively. I think they have a really, really good offensive line. I think they move people. I like the way they play. I like their play demeanor. They’ve got two really good, young, talented tackles. Guards try to finish you.
“So again, they’ve got speed, Breece Hall can make you miss. [Adonai] Mitchell’s getting more comfortable in the offense and all that. So, there’s some unfinished business. The season isn’t over. This wasn’t our goal and I’m excited that we won, but we’ve moved on.”
The Patriots already beat the Jets and Dolphins once each. They split their season series with the Bills.
The Jets are 3-12 and led by first-year head coach Aaron Glenn. As Vrabel alluded to, they have spent high picks in back-to-back drafts on left tackle Olu Fashanu and right tackle Armand Membou.
While, on paper, the Patriots shouldn’t have a difficult time against the Jets, they are dealing with an unusual amount of injuries.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson (concussion), wide receivers Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and DeMario Douglas (hamstring), offensive linemen Morgan Moses (knee), Thayer Munford (knee) and Jared Wilson (concussion), cornerbacks Charles Woods (ankle) and Carlton Davis (not announced) and defensive tackles Joshua Farmer (hamstring) and Khyiris Tonga (foot) all suffered injuries in Sunday’s win over the Ravens. Linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle) also didn’t play in Week 15.
The Patriots will still try to finish strong.
“I think it’s really important. Coach (Josh) McDaniels has talked to me about improving and getting better in practice as you reach the end of the season and reach the playoff time,” Maye said. “You want to feel like you’re improving in practice and guys are practicing hard. That translates to the game. You want to practice well during the week, and you always feel like you play the best when you have a good week of practice. So, it’s really big on continuing a little winning streak these last couple games, heading into the playoffs feeling good about ourselves and feeling like we’ve still got some work to do.”
