"It's now been five years since the NFL switched to a 17-game regular season, and we've officially entered a whole new world. With all but two of the league's 14 playoff qualifiers already decided, contending teams - like the 13-3 New England Patriots - are left with unique, situation-based decisions entering Week 18. For some, like the AFC-leading Denver Broncos, the regular-season finale remains a must-win game, with the conference's No. 1 overall seed yet to be clinched. But for others, like Denver's Week 18 opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers, resting key starters makes more sense than battling it out for the sixth or seventh seed."
"Mike Vrabel and the Patriots find themselves in the Week 18 gray area. While New England still has a clear path to the top seed - a Week 18 win over the Dolphins, coupled with a Broncos loss - the Chargers' decision to rest starting QB Justin Herbert against Denver changes things considerably for New England. Patriots fans already know that, at least to start Sunday's home regular-season finale with Miami, Vrabel plans to keep his foot on the gas pedal. That means quarterback Drake Maye and the team's other top healthy players will be out there, at least to start the game. There will definitely be some in-stadium scoreboard watching going on, though, and if Denver builds a big lead over the Chargers by halftime, Vrabel could choose to alter course on the fly. New England could clinch at least the No. 2 seed with a win, but can fall no farther than No. 3 with a loss. And with a couple of key, injured starters looking likely to return for the Dolphins game, how Vrabel deploys them could change everything for his team entering the playoffs."
It has been five years since the NFL shifted to a 17-game regular season, changing late-season strategy. With all but two of the league's 14 playoff qualifiers decided, many teams face situation-based choices in Week 18. The AFC-leading Denver Broncos must win to secure the conference's top seed. The Los Angeles Chargers elected to rest starters, including Justin Herbert, against Denver. New England occupies a gray area where a Week 18 win could clinch the No. 2 seed and preserve a path to No. 1, while a loss would leave the team no lower than No. 3. Coach Mike Vrabel plans to start Drake Maye and the team's top healthy players but will monitor other results and could adapt if circumstances change. Milton Williams and Will Campbell appear likely to play.
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