In Week 18, the Pats added +0.17 EPA per play when they had fewer than three receivers on the field, with three explosive runs. Plus, OC Josh McDaniels dusted off a flea-flicker out of a big personnel package for a 35-yard gain to WR Efton Chism III. Without Hollins’ size to handle more rigorous blocking responsibilities, one would expect the Patriots to continue featuring heavy personnel groupings to get their best blockers on the field.

6. Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte Leads All Wideouts in Snaps in Return to Lineup

The last of the banged-up Patriots to return to the lineup this week was WR Kayshon Boutte, who had a team-high 33 snaps among wide receivers. Boutte caught two of his four targets, including catching a 13-yard out in the Pats field goal drive before the half. As for the rest of the wide receiver room, here were their snap counts: Diggs (26), Williams (25), Chism (24), Douglas (13). Chism continues to play as an early-down blocker in the Pats run formations, while Douglas played eight of his 13 snaps on late downs. From this perspective, New England will need Douglas’ separation ability as teams are likely to play more man coverage in the postseason.

7. Patriots Defense’s Slower Start vs. Dolphins Wasn’t Surprising on Sunday

The commentary after this game is bound to include some concerns about the Patriots defense, which started slowly again, as Miami drove into scoring territory on its first two possessions. In their opening script, the Dolphins were gaining 5.5 yards per play on 22 plays for 122 total yards, last scrimmaging on the New England 8-yard line (downs) and the 2-yard line (TD).

Although it could’ve been a better start, we discussed all week that the Dolphins offense was humming in first halves since QB Quinn Ewers took over, likely due to HC Mike McDaniel’s opening script. With Ewers starting over the last two weeks, Miami led the league in yards per play (7.9) and was third in EPA per play (+0.35) in the first half in Weeks 16-17, and we all know the Patriots defense tends to start slower before they settle down as the game wears on.

As we wrote in our game preview earlier this week, the fast-starting Dolphins offense was a tricky matchup for the “wait for the game declare” Patriots defense. With that said, Miami was down star playmakers De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle, so they weren’t at full strength. For that reason, it would’ve been nice to see the Pats defense shut it down earlier. Still, it’s not surprising that the Miami offense had the upper hand for the first few drives. It’s also not surprising that the Patriots defense held Miami to -0.89 EPA per play with two takeaways and four sacks in the Dolphins last 27 plays because Miami fades in the second half.

Until it burns them in a playoff loss, the Patriots tendency to ease into games defensively before leveling off is just who they are, so we aren’t going to overreact to this one.

8. Patriots Allow First Blocked Kick of the 2025 Season, Borregales Bounces Back

As for the Patriots special teams, there has been a noticeable uptick in blocked field goals in the NFL this season. To this point, the Pats weren’t one of the teams to have a field goal blocked, but that ended when rookie K Andy Borregales’ second-quarter field goal attempt was blocked by the Dolphins. From this perspective, it appeared that DT Zach Sieler slipped through OL Brenden Jaimes and OT Vederian Lowe’s gap on the block. After the game, Vrabel admitted to being most disappointed about the blocked kick.

“I’m just frustrated with the blocked field goal. We went all 17 weeks, and all we did was become the 38th or 39th blocked field goal in the NFL this year,” Vrabel said, while discussing the thin margin of error in the NFL playoffs.

To the field goal operations credit, Borregales bounced back with a 59-yard field goal before halftime, which gave the Patriots a 17-10 lead. P Bryce Baringer also had a 56-yard boot with a 54-yard net thanks to some good punt coverage, and the Pats held Dolphins returner Malik Washington to two 27-yard kickoff returns. So, it wasn’t all bad in the kicking game.

As QB Drake Maye said after the game, playoff football starts now. The Patriots have put themselves in a position to play in the postseason. Now, it’s time to compete for championships.