Patriots’ plan for injured stars could silence critics or spark chaos in Week 18

It’s now been five years since the NFL switched to a 17-game regular season, and we’ve officially entered a whole new world. With all but two of the league’s 14 playoff qualifiers already decided, contending teams — like the 13-3 New England Patriots — are left with unique, situation-based decisions entering Week 18.

For some, like the AFC-leading Denver Broncos, the regular-season finale remains a must-win game, with the conference’s No. 1 overall seed yet to be clinched. But for others, like Denver’s Week 18 opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers, resting key starters makes more sense than battling it out for the sixth or seventh seed.

Mike Vrabel and the Patriots find themselves in the Week 18 gray area. While New England still has a clear path to the top seed — a Week 18 win over the Dolphins, coupled with a Broncos loss — the Chargers’ decision to rest starting QB Justin Herbert against Denver changes things considerably for New England.

Patriots fans already know that, at least to start Sunday’s home regular-season finale with Miami, Vrabel plans to keep his foot on the gas pedal. That means quarterback Drake Maye and the team’s other top healthy players will be out there, at least to start the game.

There will definitely be some in-stadium scoreboard watching going on, though, and if Denver builds a big lead over the Chargers by halftime, Vrabel could choose to alter course on the fly.

New England could clinch at least the No. 2 seed with a win, but can fall no farther than No. 3 with a loss. And with a couple of key, injured starters looking likely to return for the Dolphins game, how Vrabel deploys them could change everything for his team entering the playoffs.

Milton Williams, Will Campbell look at track to play for the Patriots in Week 18, but should they?

As expected, the Patriots aren’t taking any chances with starters who are truly questionable to play. That means LB Robert Spillane, DT Khyiris Tonga, EDGE Harold Landry, and LG Jared Wilson will all be inactive against the Dolphins, with hopes of being ready for the team’s still-to-be-determined home playoff game.

As for DT Milton Williams and LT Will Campbell? Both players remain on injured reserve — for now.

Fullback Jack Westover (questionable) is the only Patriots player who carries an official injury designation into the weekend. That means both Williams and Campbell would essentially be healthy scratches if they aren’t moved back to the 53-man roster on Saturday.

The only real decision here for Vrabel comes down to rest vs rust. Campbell hasn’t played in a game since Week 12, when he injured his knee against the Cincinnati Bengals. Williams has been out since the Thursday night against the New York Jets back in Week 11 with a sprained ankle.

The Patriots have continued to role without those key pillars in the lineup, so this mainly comes down to the game within the game for Vrabel. He's stressed the importance of “no naps," and New England definitely has no plans to take an approach similar to the Chargers, Eagles and Packers this week, and risk disrupting the momentum the team's built over its current stretch of 12 wins in 13 games.

Should Williams and Campbell be active on Sunday, though? If they’re both fully cleared, then yes, it’s absolutely the right call with the No. 1 seed still undecided. Week 18 will allow Williams and Campbell the chance to prove to themselves that they’re fully healthy, while entering Week 1 of the playoffs with no distractions.

Even if Denver blocks the Patriots from the No. 1 seed, they should still be all-in on clinching the No. 2 seed. Two guaranteed home games, with the chance to host the AFC Championship Game in Foxboro if the Broncos fall, is far too valuable to mess around with, especially against a division rival.

Patriots fans will obviously be watching the game at Mile High closely, but priority No. 1 is beating Miami — and Vrabel should be deploying every reasonably healthy starter he has accordingly.