Overview
- Miami (7-9) visits New England (13-3) on Sunday, Jan. 4 at Gillette Stadium, with sportsbooks listing the Patriots around -10.5 and the total near 45.5.
- Head coach Mike Vrabel said all healthy Patriots will play as New England chases seeding behind an MVP-caliber year from Drake Maye, who has 4,203 yards, 30 TDs and eight INTs.
- Rookie Quinn Ewers remains Miami’s starter after a two-touchdown Week 17 win, facing his first road start against a top-10 Patriots defense in expected sub-freezing conditions.
- Dolphins Pro Bowl RB De’Von Achane, a 1,300-plus-yard rusher, missed Wednesday practice with a shoulder issue and is nearing franchise single-season rushing milestones if he plays.
- New England has clinched the AFC East and needs a win, plus help elsewhere, for the No. 1 seed; national predictions and models largely back the Patriots to handle Miami.