FOXBOROUGH – Hat and t-shirt game.
Or, in Mike Vrabel’s words, the Patriots have a “championship” game ahead.
Whatever the description, the end game remains the same. The Patriots have a chance to wrap up the AFC East when they host the Bills today.
If they’re smart, and as good as many of us believe, they’ll be quick to end the suspense.
They’ll win, capture the division title and an automatic trip to the postseason, and put Josh Allen’s team in the rearview mirror.
That should be their goal. They shouldn’t settle for anything less.
Drake Maye has the right idea. He gets it. He’s not shying away from the mission.
He knows it would be best for the Patriots to seize the moment, win the game and end the Bills stranglehold on the division. That has to be the mindset, as opposed to knowing if they lose, they’ll still have other chances.
“It’s really important to do it here. We’ve got a chance to face them head-to-head. I mean, there’s no better way to win the division than with the team that’s fighting to crawl back and to keep themselves as division champs,” the Patriots quarterback said Wednesday. “So, it’s an opportunity for us to do it here, do it versus them and control your own destiny. That’s what we have. We have a chance to do it here, and I know we could do it down the road, but why not do it this weekend at home with a division opponent coming in that plays at a high level?
They should do it. They should grab the prize. Losing really isn’t an option.
Why give the Bills any flicker of hope? The Patriots need to go for the jugular, bury any hopes of Buffalo claiming another division title, and take another step toward gaining the AFC’s top seed.
As amazing as all of that sounds, given where the Patriots stood a year ago, this is where Vrabel’s team currently sits. They’re on the precipice of securing a spot in the postseason.
As Vrabel put it, they are playing “for the championship that we have available this week.” They’ve won 10 straight, and would make life a lot easier if they beat the Bills a second time this season.
The first game helped validate the Patriots as being legitimate. A win in Round 2 would do so much more.
While a loss wouldn’t change the narrative of their incredible turnaround, or prevent them from eventually claiming the division, it would set them back in their chase for the AFC’s top seed.
Gaining the lone first-round bye, and home field for the AFC’s side of the playoffs would be a significant advantage. Especially if it allows the Patriots to avoid playing the Broncos in Denver.
As it is, the conference is wide open. It sure seems like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow will be sitting out the postseason. At least, that’s how it’s shaping up right now.
Buffalo is well aware of the landscape. They know this could be their best chance to get over the hump and win a championship without having to go through the Chiefs, Ravens or Bengals.
The Patriots are one team that stands in their way. And they need to continue to be a roadblock.
With Vrabel leading the charge, and Maye under center, they have just as good a chance as anyone to punch a ticket to the Super Bowl.
Beating the Bills would enhance their chances, and be another sign they’re ready to make it happen.
“It’s going to be a good environment,” Stefon Diggs said. “We’ve been trying to build it out this year as far as giving our fans something to cheer for. What a big moment for them, and obviously a great opportunity for us … why not go chase it?”
Why not, indeed.
No time like the present to claim the top spot in the division. Like Maye, Rhamondre Stevenson also has the right perspective.
“Buffalo’s a great team. They’re not just going to lay down and give it to us,” Stevenson said. “They’ve won it five years in a row. I’m sure they’re hungry to win it a sixth time. I feel like we need to be relentless and go out there on Sunday and take it from them.”
There was a time not so long ago when the Patriots owned the AFC East. They won 17 division titles from 2001 to 2019, including an 11-year streak from 2009 to 2019.
Since Tom Brady’s departure, however, the Patriots have been closer to the bottom than the top.
They can start a new reign with a win.
“I’m looking forward to being in front of the fans and getting out there with my teammates,” Maye said. “It’s fun to play in these types of games. This is what you strap up your helmet and put on the shoulder pads for.”
