There really isn’t much more a team can beat another team then the way the Patriots beat the Jets last week. If only Andy Borregales had hit his 41 yard field goal attempt in the 3rd quarter, then my prediction would have been spot on. 42-10 versus 45-10. Not bad for Old Grumbly.
With last week’s win, the Patriots are your 2025-26 AFC East Division Champs.
Mike Vrabel’s team won this game in the early second quarter with a 7 play 66 yard drive that resulted in a 22-yard pass to Rhamondre Stephenson, putting the Pats up 21-0. There was no chance at all the Jets were coming back. The crowd knew, the Jets knew, and the Pats knew. The only thing was to get out of there healthy.
Drake Maye is very much in the MVP consideration for the season with yet another stellar game. 19 for 21 for 256 and 5 touchdowns. A week after setting his personal yardage high against the Ravens, he set his career touchdown high against the Jets. He also came out of the game in the 3rd quarter. The Jets foolishly tried to rough him up late in the second, which led to Vrabel running up the score. Typical Jets.
Josh McDaniels ialed in all the right plays. Seven players caught passes, all 5 touchdowns went to different players. Stevenson and Henderson continue to complement each other, and Stevenson is really becoming effective in the pass game. The offensive line has not missed a beat and frankly has gotten better since injuries early in December. This offense is playing elite going into the playoffs.
The Jets were not much of a test for the defense. They shut down most of the Jets except for Breece Hall, who is going to get PAID in the offseason by someone. He had almost half of the Jets offense and a long 59 yd TD in the fourth. Without him, the Pats likely shut out the Jets. They might have been if the Pats had left everyone in.
Steffon Diggs continues to be one of the best free agent signings in the NFL, with 5 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. He is 38 yards away from 1,000 on the season. He was hit with some accusations by a personal chef that made all the sports talk shows. Frankly, we live in a country where you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. I definitely do not see that in the local sports media.
Christian Barmore was also hit with some legal trouble as well. We will wait to talk about it.
Old Grumbly Fan Predictions
The Patriots are 13-3 and have already clinched the division. Denver has caught somewhat of a break in that the Chargers announced that Justin Herbert will not play this Sunday. I doubt that Vrabel will not have his team ready to play against the Dolphins, who have had a huge bounce back after a 1-6 start. They have gone 6-3 in their last nine games, probably saving Mike McDaniels’ job, although they will likely make a change at the QB position.
This is a different team than the one the Patriots beat in Miami in September. So are the Patriots. They have become a heavily run-based team, and De’Von Archane has delivered a career year with 1350 yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground to go with 67 catches, 483 more yards and 4 more touchdowns. He is a fantasy manager’s dream. He is 170 yards or so away from a 2,000 yard in total yards this season. I expect McDaniels to feed him early and often.
The Patriots are getting healthy, and it looks like Milton Williams will be back on D to end the season. I expect a much stouter run defense with him, and I think the offense will look to go up early again and pour it on.
In the Dolphins’ last two losses to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, and their win last week against Tampa, they gave up 336, 407 and 380 yards. Not exactly a lockdown defense.
This game takes a little longer to get under control, but in the end the Pats roll again into the postseason.
Pats 38 – Dolphins 17
