The 12-3 New England Patriots play the 3-12 New York Jets away in Week 17. Like every other NFL team, the Patriots are banged up this time of the year. The most fortunate teams are those whose quarterbacks have avoided serious injuries. But other key players also matter. One whose status for the Jets' game was in question is the Patriots' superb defensive tackle, Milton Williams.
Williams was eligible to return to the team from IR this week against the Jets. The question being rightly asked was: Should Mike Vrabel bring him back for this game, wait another week, or even wait until the playoffs to unleash Williams on the Patriots' opponents?
Williams suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 11 against the Jets. And that's never an easy injury to recover from. It can often take a minimum of multiple weeks or even longer. Vrabel had to decide if Williams was ready enough to play without risking losing him for future games.
He did, and Williams will sit out the Jets game.
Mike Vrabel takes a prudent course with Milton Williams
Though the team had cleared Milton Williams to practice, even though he's the team's best defensive lineman, Vrabel obviously felt that it was too risky for him to contribute against the Jets. It had to be a difficult decision because Williams is a difference maker, especially against the run. He's also a big playmaker, as his Super Bowl performance for the Eagles testified.
Mike Vrabel had one stated goal when he took charge of the Patriots in January. It was clear: to dethrone the Buffalo Bills from the pinnacle of the AFC East. His team had a direct chance to do just that in Week 15 but blew a 21-point lead and lost that opportunity. They now may have to win out, and if they do, they'll take the top spot in the East.
That's the immediate goal on the Patriots' plate, and with it comes a home playoff game (though this team seems to win on the road anyway) and maybe more, should the Broncos falter in their final game against the Chargers. Yet, Vrabel still chose not to risk Williams against the Jets, and it was a sound decision.
It made sense to keep Milton Williams on the sideline for Week 17
The Patriots are playing a terrible Jets team. While it's away, the Patriots have cleaned up every team they've played on the road, including Buffalo, Tampa Bay, and Baltimore.
Vrabel decided they should be able to take care of business against the Jets, especially since the Patriots' offense is dealing with MVP candidate Drake Maye throwing for 380 yards and two TDs in his last game against the Ravens.
The same can be said for Week 18's game against the Dolphins. They are third in the AFC East at 6-9. The 'Phins always seem to present a challenge, especially with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback. Vrabel can evaluate Williams another week and then decide whether to risk him then or let Williams progress physically and return for the playoffs.
The Coach of the Year candidate played it safe and will sit Williams for the Jets game, and probably for the Dolphins, as well. He'll depend on the rest of his squad to take care of business and win the AFC East by beating the Jets and Dolphins without him. It's a prudent decision by a veteran NFL Coach who knows exactly what he's doing.
Head Coach Mike Vrabel made a sound yet tough decision. Williams is not an ordinary player; he's a star. Having him on the field would be a tremendous asset against the Jets and the 'Phins. Yet, this top coach has rightly decided not to risk him in both winnable games and will bank on his contributing to whatever postseason fate might await the 2025 Patriots.
Sound decisions like this are why Vrabel gets paid the big bucks. There's no doubt, he's as good an NFL Head Coach as it gets