New England Patriots
A win would secure at least the No. 2 seed in the AFC for New England.
FOXBOROUGH — The New England Patriots clinched a playoff berth last week and the AFC East in back-to-back weeks in December.
But with one game left on the regular-season docket, New England still has plenty to play for on Sunday when it comes to playoff seeding in the AFC.
For Week 18, the Patriots (13-3) will host the Dolphins (7-9) at Gillette Stadium.
Kick-off is set for 4:25 p.m. from Foxborough. You can watch the game on FOX, as well as listen on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
A win on Sunday would secure at least the No. 2 seed in the AFC for New England, while also putting them in the mix to leapfrog the Broncos for the No. 1 seed and earn a first-round bye for the playoffs.
However, the Patriots also need the Chargers to beat the Broncos in Denver on Sunday to open the door for the No. 1 seed — a scenario that seems unlikely after Los Angeles announced Justin Herbert will not play against the Broncos.
A loss could complicate matters for New England, as they could drop to the No. 3 seed if they fall to Miami and the Jaguars (already up big on the Titans) come away with a win on Sunday afternoon.
As the Patriots try to end the regular season on a high note, follow along here for live updates from Sunday’s game, and check back once the game wraps for some early observations.
LIVE UPDATES
5:07: Not the best drive for New England, as the Patriots punt after going 3-and-out. New England’s defense needs a bounce-back.
5:01: TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS. Ewers to Malik Washington for a 2-yard TD.
Miami has been able to move the ball pretty well through these first two drives, with Ewers completing eight of his first nine throws for 71 yards and a touchdown.
4:54: End First: Patriots lead the Dolphins, 14-0.
4:51: Elsewhere, the Broncos are up, 10-0, against the Chargers.
4:48: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. Stevenson takes it himself and runs it in from 2 yards out.
It’s 14-0 Patriots with 55 seconds left in the first.
4:45: Maye does it agian. He avoids a sack behind the line of scrimmage and gains 7 yards to pick up a first down. On the very next play, Maye hits Efton Chism for a 35-yard pickup off the flea flicker.
4:39: Dolphins go for it on 4th and 1 from the 8-yard line, but Wilson can’t hold onto a catch off a great throw from Ewers. Gibbens in coverage.
Maye and Co. are taking over from the 8.
4:38: Milton Williams makes his return with a tackle for loss on an outside run for Wright. 6-yard loss.
4:35: Elsewhere across the NFL, Josh Allen takes one snap and is out of the game for Trubisky. Buffalo resting their starting QB for the rest of the evening.
A Bills loss to the Jets could open the door for New England to host Buffalo in the first round of the playoffs.
4:28: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. TreVeyon Henderson caps off the drive with a 5-yard TD run.
New England scores off a 3-play, 70-yard drive.
It’s 7-0 Patriots.
4:27: Rhamodre Stevenson reels off a 56-yard run. New England already on the 5-yard line.
4:26: “MVP” chants have already started at Gillette.
4:24: Dolphins win the coin toss and defer. Maye and the Patriots are up first.
4:17: LeGarrette Blount is today’s Keeper of the Light.
4:15: The Texans close out their regular-season slate with a win over the Colts. That win locks them into the No. 5 seed in the AFC. They cannot be the Patriots’ 1st round opponent, no matter what.
4:12: Will Campbell is good to go for tonight’s game.
3:47: Jaguars beat the Titans, 41-7, and are AFC South Champions. New England needs to win today or else fall to the No. 3 seed in the AFC.
3:44: Mike Vrabel was asked on 98.5 The Sports Hub over whether or not he will alter his approach today based on how the Broncos/Chargers game is going.
“”Eh. Again, we’re talking about a football team that won 8 games in 2 years. We’re trying to create a culture of winning here.”
3:32: Warmups are underway:
3:05: For those looking to keep tabs on New England’s various seeding scenarios, Conor Roche has you covered here!
3:00: Meanwhile, Tua Tagovailoa is the emergency third QB for Miami today. Yikes!
Quinn Ewers is expected to start for the Dolphins.
2:55: A look at the Patriots inactives:
No surprise, but Spillane, Landry, Tonga, and others are out. New England wisely prescribing rest for those key cogs on defense.
2:39: Greetings from Gillette!
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