Patriots Daily: Happy New Year; Who to Root For in Week 18

Happy New Year from your friends covering the New England Patriots on Patriots Football Now. Our site launched in September of 2023 and we look forward to expanding our coverage and audience in 2024. Incredibly appreciative of everyone that has been a regular reader, helping to spread the word, and to our PFN+ subscribers.

It looks like 2024 could be “the year of changes” in Foxboro. The franchise could end up with a new head coach for the first time in a quarter century. A new quarterback could also be leading the offense next season. Looking forward to covering all of it.

As for the 2023 New England Patriots, their 4-12 record currently has them selecting third in the 2024 NFL Draft. Depending on the results of next weekend’s games, that position could change significantly. With a loss to the New York Jets, New England is guaranteed to pick either second or third. If they beat the Jets, the Patriots could draft anywhere from second to seventh,

Current Draft Standings

1. Carolina Panthers (going to Chicago Bears) – clinched
2. Washington Commanders (4-12)
3. New England Patriots (4-12)
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-12)
5. New York Giants (5-11)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11)
7. Tennessee Titans (5-11)

Who to Root For in Week 18?

Rooting for the other five teams to win is the first step. A win by anyone currently below New England would clinch them drafting below the Patriots, regardless of what New England does.

If the Patriots lose, they would select no lower than third, as they will not catch Arizona in the tiebreaker (lowest strength of schedule gets the higher draft pick). With a loss, the only team to be concerned with is Washington.

So if the teams to root for that would impact strength of schedule vs. the Commanders are:

Atlanta Falcons beating New Orleans Saints (this has double benefit)
Baltimore Ravens beating Pittsburgh Steelers
Houston Texans beating Indianapolis Colts
Chicago Bears beating Green Bay Packers
Denver Broncos beating Las Vegas Raiders

The Falcons, Ravens and Texans winning will benefit the Patriots regardless of New England’s outcome.

Also in Patriots Daily: Former Jet arrested; Lamar Jackson MVP?; Patriots sack record; and more.

New England Patriots

Patriots Football Now – Six Takeaways From the Patriots 27-21 Loss to the Bills

Patriots Football Now – New England Patriots Weekend Roster Moves

AFC East News

Syracuse.com – Bills enter final weekend with No. 2 seed at stake, but could miss playoffs

ESPN – Torn ACL feared for Dolphins Bradley Chubb

Bleacher Report – Former Jets DL Muhammad Wilkerson arrested for DUI with loaded gun

NFL News

Yardbarker – Ravens QB Lamar Jackson may have wrapped up another MVP

Pro Football Network – NFL Playoff picture heading into Week 18

ESPN – Panthers owner tosses drink at Jaguars fan

PFN+ – 2024 NFL Draft Previews

Boston Bruins

Go over to our sibling site Boston Hockey Now to check out the great Boston Bruins coverage from Jimmy Murphy and the BHN team. The NHL season is underway and there is plenty happening in the Bruins 100 Anniversary season.

Subscribe here or at BHN to get a subscription to both sites. Subscribers get bonus coverage such as NFL Draft scouting reports and weekly NFL Power Rankings. It also provides a completely ad-free experience on the sites.

Use code KELLEY10 and get $10 off a yearly subscription. It is less than $2.50/month!

Fun Fact of the Day

The late Derrick Thomas, Hall of Fame linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, holds the NFL record for most sacks in a game (7.0). The New England Patriots record is held by Andre Carter (4.0). Carter accomplished his feat on Nov. 13, 2011 against the Jets.

Tweet of the Day

Tweet of the Day is from Joe Giza, with an assist from Dan Roche and Stefon Diggs…

📹 Bills WR @stefondiggs having a little fun with @RochieWBZ during Patriots GameDay in Buffalo #WBZ pic.twitter.com/8TWskf4WdY

— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) December 31, 2023