Daily news and links for Thursday
TEAM TALK
- Patriots-Dolphins Week 18 Injury Report.
- Transcript:Mike Vrabel (Plus 12 min. video)
- Press Conferences:Drake Maye – Will Campbell, Milton Williams, Jaylin Hawkins, Marcus Jones, Christian Gonzalez, Moses Morgan.
- Game Preview: Evan Lazar and Mike Dussault scout the Pats-Dolphins matchups. (6 min. video)
- Vrabel’s X’s and O’s: Breaking down top plays vs. Jets. (4 min. video)
- Sights & Sounds:Drake Maye throws for 5 TDs & Efton Chism III gets 1st NFL TD vs. Jets. (3 min. video)
- Patriots Unfiltered:Dolphins preview, Vrabel presser/reaction, Week 18 NFL picks. (2 hours)
- Patriots Catch-22: Good/bad vs. Jets, playoff scenarios, Dolphins preview. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mark Daniels spotlights LB K’Lavon Chaisson and how the former first-round pick is putting up career-best numbers with the Patriots.
- Ethan Hurwitz looks at why Hunter Henry is having his best season with the Patriots.
- Taylor Kyles talks about how the Patriots run game is becoming a strength ahead of the playoffs.
- Jennifer Streeter explains why why rookies Efton Chism III, TreVeyon Henderson could be stars in 2026
- Mark Daniels finds it’s still uncertain whether Milton Williams will play in the season finale. “I didn’t have as much confidence as I do this week,” Williams said. “Last week was still a little shaky on just trusting it. Feeling better this week. I’ll see if we’re able to go on Sunday.”
- Alex Barth reports Will Campbell and Alex Austin returned to New England Patriots practice on Wednesday, but the team had a lengthy injury report.
- Phil Perry‘s Patriots Mailbag: Exploring playoff matchup scenarios entering Week 18; How much will the starters play against the Dolphins?
- Doug Kyed lays out the cases for Drake Maye vs. Matthew Stafford as NFL MVP: Old school vs. new school.
- Mark Daniels highlights Drake Maye’s response to the ‘easy schedule’ criticism.
- Danny Jaillett lists the FOX announcers for Pats-Fins: Joe Davis (play-by-play) and Greg Olsen (color).
- A Clare Perspective podcast: Clare wraps up the Jets rout, looks ahead to the finale against the Dolphins, and answers all your mailbag questions. (33 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Bill Barnwell (ESPN) 2025 NFL All-Pro team picks: Best players at every position. Drake Maye, Christian Gonzalez included.
- Aaron Schatz (ESPN) Concerning weaknesses, flaws for 2025 NFL playoff teams. Patriots concerning weakness: Quarterback Drake Maye after his first read. /Click for commentary.
- Brad Gagnon (Bleacher Report) Every Super Bowl contender’s fatal flaw. Patriots: Red Zone defense.
- Garrett Podell (CBS Sports) Week 18 QB Power Rankings: Drake Maye reclaims top spot over Matthew Stafford.
- Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: George Pickens and others cashing in during contract years.
- Staff (Football Zebras) Week 18 referee assignments. Dolphins at Patriots: Clay Martin.
- MMQB Staff (SI) NFL Week 18 picks. Six of six pick Pats to win.
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Week 18 NFL picks. The Dolphins are playing for nothing, while the Patriots have a chance at the top seed. The cold weather has been a problem for Miami, and this will be a challenge in terms of motivation. Look for the Patriots to roll here as Drake Maye continues his quest for the MVP, but Miami will score with the running game. Patriots win 28-19.
- NFL Staff (Bleacher Report) Week 18 expert picks against the spread (10.5). 3 of 8 pick Pats to win ATS.
DUMPSTER DIVE
- Doug Kyed tells us how Mike Vrabel addressed the criminal charges against Patriots players.
- Karen Guregian relays the Patriots’ reaction to ‘direct’ message from Mike Vrabel in wake of allegations.
- Mark Daniels and Lauren Campbell post the statement released by an NFL spokesperson on the status of Christian Barmore, Stefon Diggs.
- Darren Hartwell relays Albert Breer on why he does not think either Stefon Diggs or Christian Barmore will be placed on the commissioners exempt list.
- Karen Guregian found Mike Vrabel and his players unfazed by Wednesday’s media circus.
Category: General Sports
