New England Patriots: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Patriots Get Big Matchup Advantage Without Key Dolphin Playmakers

With Week 18 set to kick off at Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots are looking to stay hot and carry momentum straight into January. The Pats (13–3) roll into the regular-season finale riding a statement 42–10 curb-stomping of the New York Jets, a win that also locked up their first AFC East crown since 2019.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Five Players to Watch in Patriots vs. Dolphins Finale

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — With their Week 18 matchup against the Miami Dolphins set to kick off at Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots are hoping to continue their winning ways heading into the playoffs.

Drake Maye News / New England Patriots on SI / January 4

Patriots TE Says Drake Maye Hasn't Changed a Bit

Standing in front of his locker this week, New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper fielded questions about his Pro Bowl quarterback Drake Maye. When asked if Maye has changed from year one to year two, Hooper said he hadn't.

NFL News / New England Patriots on SI / January 4

Patriots' Three Keys to Victory vs. Dolphins

The New England Patriots are currently 13-3 and have secured their first American Football Conference East division title since 2019. New England also still has a remaining active path to being the AFC top seed should the Pats (7-9) win or tie against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18 while the Denver Broncos lose to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Leading receivers vs. each NFL team' quiz

How many of the NFL receivers to terrorize each team's fanbase the most in their career can you name in five minutes?

The 'NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year winners' quiz

The 'Top-50 all-time NFL rushers' quiz

The 'Active 100-catch NFL seasons' quiz

New England Patriots News / New England Patriots on SI / January 3

Patriots Elevate Two Players for Dolphins Game

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots have made a pair of additions to their game day roster in anticipation of hosting their regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins this weekend at Gillette Stadium.

NFL News / Yardbarker

The best passing performances from one NFL playoff run

Rule changes have made passing numbers easier to compile in the modern era, and the game's top quarterbacks have taken full advantage. While the heaviest hitters are represented here, some storied postseasons by slightly lesser-celebrated QBs remain entrenched in playoff annals as well.

Drake Maye News / Athlon Sports / January 3

NFL Announces Punishment Decision After Drake Maye Incident

Drake Maye and the New England Patriots improved to 13-3 following their Week 17 win over the New York Jets. It was a dominant performance, coming out on top 42-10.

New England Patriots News / Pro Football Rumors / January 3

Patriots Activate DT Milton Williams, T Will Campbell From IR

The playoffs are locked up, and the Patriots’ final game of the season is at home against a depleted Dolphins team. As they attempt to secure their highest win total since 2016 and a chance at the No.

New England Patriots News / NFLTradeRumors.co / January 3

Patriots Activate LT Will Campbell & DL Milton Williams From IR

The New England Patriots officially Patriots activated LT Will Campbell and DT Milton Williams to the 53-man roster from injured reserve on Saturday. Both players are expected to play in Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.

New England Patriots News / New England Patriots on SI / January 3

Patriots Finishing Season With Impressive Draft Class Feat

One of the New England Patriots' most recent roster moves was to bring up a rookie cornerback to the active roster. Earlier this week, the team signed Kobee Minor to the 53-man roster from the practice squad, signaling that the entire rookie draft class will finish the year in uniform (barring injury).

NFL News / Yardbarker

Looking back at every NFL Christmas Day game

For years, Thanksgiving belonged to the NFL, but Christmas belonged to the NBA. Occasionally, an NFL game would fall on Christmas, but it was anomalous, even avoided if possible.

Mike Vrabel News / New England Patriots on SI / January 3

Mike Vrabel Reveals Patriots' Plan to Defend Dolphins Motion

On paper, the New England Patriots should walk away from their Week 18 battle with the division rival Miami Dolphins as winners. But the NFL isn't played on paper.

Drake Maye News / New England Patriots on SI / January 3

Patriots' Drake Maye Gets Impressive Madden Rating Bump

The year of New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye continues to get better by the week. The second-year gunslinger, coming off arguably his best performance as a pro (throwing for five touchdowns in a blowout win over the New York Jets) just got a major boost when it comes to his Madden 26 rating.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Heisman Trophy winners since 2000' quiz

The 'TE receiving leaders by NFL team' quiz

The 'Leading receivers vs. each NFL team' quiz

The 'CFP appearances' quiz

Mike Vrabel News / New England Patriots on SI / January 3

Mike Vrabel Keeping Patriots Focused Amidst Off Field Issues

For the New England Patriots, headlines outside of the sport of football have been swirling. The Patriots' No. 1 wide receiver of Stefon Diggs is in the midst of being charged with felony strangulation or suffocation, and misdemeanor assault and battery stemming from an incident that took place on Dec.

New England Patriots News / New England Patriots on SI / January 3

Bill Simmons Makes Patriots’ Drake Maye MVP Argument

Drake Maye is the star of the MVP conversation, the New England Patriots are sitting on top of the AFC East, and now the focus shifts to the only thing left on the checklist: the No.

Drake Maye News / Gridiron Heroics / January 4

'I think he’s been incredible': WNBA star Caitlin Clark names QB that she’s a big fan of

Caitlin Clark added her voice to the NFL conversation by revealing admiration for New England Patriots’ Drake Maye, one of the league’s fastest-rising quarterbacks.

New England Patriots News / The SportsRush / January 2

'Drake Maye Is a Game Manager': Cam Newton Reuses Debatable Brock Purdy Take for Patriots QB

After news of Tom Brady’s departure broke, it figured to be a while, if ever, before football fans would have to worry about the New England Patriots being in the Super Bowl.

New England Patriots News / Athlon Sports / January 2

Christian Gonzalez Has Familiar Response to Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore Situations

It has been a terrific 2025 NFL season so far for the New England Patriots, but it hasn’t been entirely rosy — especially off the field of late, as two of their best players are facing legal troubles.

New England Patriots News / NFL on ClutchPoints / January 2

Mike Vrabel’s promising updates on Patriots’ Will Campbell, Milton Williams

The New England Patriots are entering their Week 18 battle with the Miami Dolphins looking to earn the AFC’s No. 1 overall seed. Having some extra reinforcements in the trenches would get the Patriots closer to their goal.

New England Patriots News / NFLTradeRumors.co / January 1

Patriots Making Three Roster Moves

The New England Patriots announced they promoted CB Kobee Minor from the practice squad to the active roster. They also added OL Brenden Jaimes and CB Miles Battle to the practice squad. Jaimes, 26, was a fifth-round pick by the Chargers in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Nebraska.

New England Patriots News / Yardbarker / January 1

Patriots players respond to Diggs, Barmore allegations

Drake Maye, other Patriots players respond to Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore allegations

Several Patriots players addressed the Stefon Diggs and Christian Barmore situations.

Patriots, Stefon Diggs respond to serious allegations with playoffs looming

Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore facing domestic assault charge

Will Campbell News / NFLTradeRumors.co / December 31

Patriots Designate Two, Including LT Will Campbell, To Return From IR

The New England Patriots have officially designated rookie LT Will Campbell to return from injured reserve, per HC Mike Vrabel via Mark Daniels. Vrabel