With their division clinched on Sunday, New England has won the AFC East for the first time since 2019. It marks the franchise’s first division crown since the era of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. The title was ultimately decided by the outcome of the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Buffalo Bills game, where Buffalo mounted a comeback after trailing 13–0 but fell short when Josh Allen’s two-point conversion attempt was ruled incomplete. That play ended the Bills’ five-year run as division champions.
The division title has been a long time coming for New England, which won just eight games combined over the previous two seasons and underwent significant organizational turnover. Now, the Patriots are once again among the AFC’s elite.
Patriots roll past Jets in Week 17
New England put on a dominant performance Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, defeating the New York Jets 42–10. The win improved the Patriots to 13–3 on the season, while the Jets fell to 3–13.
Quarterback Drake Maye delivered one of the best performances of his young career, completing 19 of 21 passes for 256 yards and five touchdowns. Maye finished the day with a 90.5% completion rate and continues to strengthen his MVP case. Entering Week 18, he has thrown for 4,203 yards with a 30–8 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels deserves significant credit for Maye’s growth in his second season, as the Patriots’ offense has consistently found ways to maximize the quarterback’s strengths.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs also had a standout afternoon, hauling in six receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. Diggs made a spectacular sideline catch to stay in bounds and record his second consecutive 100-yard game. He now has 82 receptions for 970 yards and four touchdowns, sitting just 30 yards shy of his seventh 1,000-yard receiving season.
Patriots shorthanded at wide receiver
New England entered the game down multiple receivers. Wide receiver Mack Hollins was placed on injured reserve Saturday with an abdomen injury, which will sideline him for the remainder of the regular season. Hollins would only be eligible to return if the Patriots make a deep playoff run.
Additionally, Kayshon Boutte was inactive after entering concussion protocol following last week’s Sunday night win over the Baltimore Ravens. The team is hopeful Boutte can return to action as early as next week.
Looking ahead to Week 18
The Patriots will host the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium in Week 18. Although New England has already clinched the AFC East, it remains in the hunt for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. To secure the top spot and a first-round bye, the Patriots would need the Denver Broncos to lose to the Los Angeles Chargers next week.
How head coach Mike Vrabel approaches the finale will be worth monitoring. Does New England rest its starters? Play them for a half? Or take a conservative approach and let the results fall where they may?
Earning the No. 1 seed would provide another week of rest and a direct path to the divisional round. While Miami has been eliminated from playoff contention, the Dolphins could still play spoiler, with New England’s pursuit of the top seed on the line.
My name is Kenneth Matias and I am an aspiring sports journalist that has great sports knowledge and follow the New England Patriots and the NFL landscape very closely.
