It took until late December, but the Patriots are finally leading something— they sit atop the current NFL Draft standings and, with a loss in the season finale on Sunday, will own the #1 pick. Cue the duck boats (but wear your life jacket).
Buffalo has already locked up the second seed in the AFC, so this game doesn't matter to them. The last time Sean McDermott's team found themselves in a situation like this, the head coach played his starters for a half in a 56-28 rout over a Dolphins team that needed to win to get into the postseason. That was back in 2020-21. The year prior, this time set as the 5-seed going into the last week of the season, McDermott ran his first-teamers out for just a quarter before emptying the bench. With Josh Allen being one of the MVP favorites, some stat padding isn't out of the question.
As for the Patriots, we heard from Jerod Mayo on Monday morning. Would he consider sitting Drake Maye, especially after he "got his bell rung" for a second time this season during that 40-7 debacle against the Chargers?
"I would say right now, everything is in consideration," said the embattled coach. "We'll see how the week goes."
Later, Mayo added, "My expectation is if the guys are healthy, then they're expected to be ready to go out there and play. Again, we'll have to see how the week goes. But I understand the question. I just - the guys are working hard, and we need to play football."
Let me tell you why the Pats are embracing a loser's mentality if they decide not to play Maye (assuming he's not in concussion protocol, which, as of now, Mayo says he's not).
Are you ready?
Because YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME.
For two full seasons, this team has forgotten what it takes to do that very thing. They're not talented enough. Duh. Or well-coached. Double duh. Hell, all of the above (does that earn the rarely used triple duh? ). So I don't care if they're playing Foxborough High, the Colorado School of Mining, or the Bills junior varsity; the aim of Sunday's game is to score more points than them and remember how winning feels. That means Drake Maye and any other healthy(ish) player preps his ass off this week, then plays his ass off this weekend. Put an asterisk on it if you want. It's probably warranted. But once again, so what? This program needs some positivity, and they should take it wherever possible.
I also saw the argument that Maye doesn't need to prove anything. Really? A guy with 11 starts and just one win in a game he began and ended has already figured out this league and what it takes to be successful? Come on. He's 22 years old and learns every time he's on the field. Don't pass on four more quarters of learning, never mind the reps he would sacrifice during the week of practice to get, presumably, Joe Milton ready. You know when Milton can show me that he's grown? Next spring and summer. Now isn't his time. If only someone can convince Mayo of that in the coming days.
"Look, it’s the last game of the season, and we have to look forward,” Mayo told WEEI. “It’s a journey. It’s not just about one game. It is trying to be present and win this football game, but it’s a journey, and we’ve gotta look out the front windshield about where we want to go.”
Speaking of that, the embarrassing nature of that loss to the Chargers once again raised questions about Mayo's future. Has he been given assurances he will be back next year?
“I’m always in constant communication with ownership, and I feel like we’re still on the same page,” he said.
Perhaps, but it was pretty stark watching a team that hired a new coach and general manager last winter - like the Pats - dominate in the fashion they did. Though LA is headed to the playoffs, that team is not overly talented. But they are well-coached, have an identity, and are very much believers in Jim Harbaugh in a way we haven't seen here in New England with Mayo.
