Maybe the Patriots head into Week 17 already eliminated from the playoffs, and perhaps that has some people already checking out of the season before it ends. However, some intriguing storylines that don't involve Bill Belichick or Mac Jones are worthy of following over the next two weeks.
It starts with their matchup on Sunday against the Bills. They'll play them in Buffalo at the end of December and will likely deal with frigid temperatures and a stadium filled with chaotic fans. It won't be pleasant, especially since New England beat them earlier in the season.
Although most don't believe there's even a 1% chance the Patriots leave New York with a win, winning games against divisional rivals is never guaranteed. We know this from watching Tom Brady for over 20 years and constantly struggling against the Dolphins.
The Bills may have had luck in their favor since the GOAT left, but the Patriots offense shut them up in Week 7 with that game-winning drive ending with celebratory Griddy's.
Can they repeat that this week? That's just one of the questions heading into this game. Here are the others.
#1: Can Bailey Zappe perform consistently through all four quarters?
Since taking over as the Patriots starting quarterback from Mac Jones in Week 13, Bailey Zappe has accomplished a 2-2 record. He's done enough to keep the offense in the game for the two wins, but mainly in the first half. He fell apart as soon as they returned from halftime and got lucky that the opponents were unable to overcome the deficit to steal the win.
It has become the most problematic part of his performance thus far. Sure, he's looked more reliable than Jones did for most of the year, as he's not turning the ball over or making poor decisions throughout the game. But if he cannot maintain his production for the entirety of the game, then they're bound to lose more games.
He was put to the test against the Chiefs last week, who were inevitably going to be a tougher opponent despite coming into the game on a two-game losing streak. Fortunately, Zappe didn't entirely fall off the face of the planet in the second half, scoring a touchdown in the fourth to bring them within ten points.
But he did follow up a fairly well-played first half with an interception, four drives ending in a punt, and a turnover of downs. It's an improvement from how he played against the Chargers and Steelers, but it is still a concern with two big games against the division to end the season.
#2: Will the Patriots' defense continue their hot streak against another mobile quarterback this week?
The Patriots defense is one of the bright spots of another disappointing season. They began the season looking even better than last year but were doing even better with the addition of Christian Gonzalez.
They continued to get better every week, with the rise of new stars like Myles Bryant, Jahlani Tavai, and Mack Wilson having career-best seasons. Their performances have boosted the defense to new heights, allowing the unit to continue dominating on the field despite the lackluster efforts from the offense for most of the year.
In recent weeks, the entire defense has played nearly lights out and been the main reason they've remained in most games, even while missing J.C. Jackson, Matthew Judon, and Jabrill Peppers. They've shown outstanding effort in getting to the quarterback, have become one of the best teams in the league against the run, and have been creating turnovers in almost every game.
The most impressive part has been their success at slowing down some of the more mobile quarterbacks in the league. Over the last three games, they've totaled ten sacks and 19 QB hits. Can they continue that against another slithery passer like Josh Allen?
It will be a difficult test, but they've shown they can make the plays in recent weeks, so hopefully, we will see more of that on Sunday.
#3. Are the Patriots capable of pulling off the "impossible" by sweeping the Bills in 2023?
Nobody believed it would happen in Week 7, so why would you not believe it could happen again ten weeks later?
The Bills and Patriots are certainly different teams than they were when they first met this season, but that doesn't mean that either team is substantially worse or better. It means they're playing differently and have equal momentum heading into this divisional matchup.
Buffalo has racked up three wins in a row against some of the better teams in the league: the Chiefs and the Cowboys. They snuck out a win against the Chargers, which isn't as impressive, but it's a win nonetheless.
The Patriots have had the opposite fate since getting that win in October, losing five straight right after before finally beating the Steelers in Week 14. But despite their disappointing efforts for much of the season, the defense has regained its spark and continues to dominate teams they line up against.
Because of their familiarity with the Bills, it seems fair to assume they'll have a good handle on how to limit their offense overall. They did an impressive job the first time by eliminating Stefon Diggs outside of his one receiving touchdown and limiting the ground game to 24 carries for 81 yards.
But can they do it again in Buffalo, in December, against a very motivated Bills team wanting to lock up their postseason spot as soon as possible? We'll have to watch and see.