For the first time in six years, the Patriots (13-3) have reclaimed their rightful throne atop the AFC East.
With their blowout win in New York against the Jets (3-13) to go along with a Buffalo (11-5) loss at home to the Eagles (11-5), New England clinched their first division title since 2019.
That 2019 division title was their last of a 19-year run in which the franchise won the AFC East 17 times, establishing themselves as the most dominant team in the nearly half-century history of the division.
Over half a decade later, and the Patriots have won their 22nd division since the AFC East came together in 1970.
Patriots rip the crown away from the Bills, who had been the reigning division champs each of the last five years. And while they’ll still be a part of the AFC Playoff picture as a wild card team, it’s New England who secures at least one home playoff game this postseason, not defending league MVP Josh Allen.
For the fanbase, it’s a tangible honor to represent a new foundation of winning under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel and second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
For the 2025 Patriots, it’s the first checkmark on a to do list that includes lofty goals.
The first goal was to win the division.
The next?
Do everything in their power to put themselves in a position for a bye come playoffs.
With a win over the Dolphins (7-9) in Week 18 along with a Broncos (13-3) loss to the playoff-bound Chargers (11-5), the Patriots would secure the No. 1 overall seed in the conference, putting them just two wins away from their first Super Bowl appearance since 2018 and giving them a much-needed week of rest after seven regular starters/rotational players were ruled out of their Week 17 game at MetLife.
Giving this group any sort of relief in the form of rest will go a long way towards potentially winning their first playoff game since 2018.
But before that happens, the Patriots have to deal with a Dolphins team that’s been playing better football of late, having won six of their last nine games.
This will be the second and final meeting between New England and Miami this season, as the Patriots beat the Dolphins in a 33-27 shootout down at Hard Rock Stadium in Week 2.
As of publishing, the date and time of their Week 18 matchup is to be determined, as the league has the ability to flex every game on the slate into any window across both Saturday (1/3) and Sunday (1/4).
Despite not having kickoff details, sportsbooks have the Patriots listed as a 9.5-point favorite, sitting on the moneyline at -575. The total is set at 46.5.
Tune in each and every Monday throughout the football season to Patriots Monday on WEEI. Head coach Mike Vrabel joins The Greg Hill Show at 6:30 a.m. ET, and quarterback Drake Maye joins WEEI Afternoons.