10 things we’re watching in Week 18 Patriots-Dolphins season finale

The Patriots’ season finale is not meaningless. There are still stakes in play in Week 18.

With a win, the Patriots can clinch the No. 2 seed in the AFC, likely pitting them against the Chargers in the first round of the playoffs. If the Chargers can help out the Patriots with a win over the Broncos, the Patriots will roll into the playoffs with the No. 1 seed.

That is unlikely, however, since the Chargers are resting quarterback Justin Herbert and starting Trey Lance.

With a loss, the Jaguars can leapfrog the Patriots for the No. 2 seed with a win over the Titans. If the Patriots drop to the No. 3 seed, their first-round matchup would likely come against the Bills.

Here’s what we’re watching in Week 18, when the Patriots take on the Dolphins on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. at home at Gillette Stadium. The game will be broadcast on FOX.

• First, the elephant in the room: Head coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday that wide receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive tackle Christian Barmore, both of whom are facing criminal charges, are expected to play Sunday. The NFL released a statement on Wednesday, saying, “There is no change to the status of Diggs or Barmore. Both are eligible to play at this time.” Diggs and Barmore might not play the entire game, since it would make sense to rest starters at some point Week 18 to keep everyone fresh for the playoffs, but expect them on the field.

• Left tackle Will Campbell and defensive tackle Milton Williams are both eligible to be activated off injured reserve. Assuming both starters play on Sunday, it will be notable to see how many snaps they’re on the field. It serves as an ideal time to knock off rust for Campbell and Williams while also not forcing them to play the entire contest.

• The Patriots are still dealing with injuries to key players. Linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle), defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (foot), fullback Jack Westover (ankle), outside linebacker Harold Landry (knee) and left guard Jared Wilson (concussion protocol) missed practice this week, though Spillane and Westover returned Friday. If any of those injuries were truly long-term issues, then the players would have been placed on injured reserve weeks ago. Expect the following players to take on bigger roles: defensive tackles Cory Durden and Eric Gregory, outside linebackers Anfernee Jennings, Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson, and left guard Ben Brown. With Mack Hollins on injured reserve, rookie wideouts Kyle Williams and Efton Chism will likely continue to take on bigger roles on offense. Chism impressed the Patriots’ coaching staff with his blocking ability.

• Tight end Hunter Henry’s status bears monitoring, as well. He missed practice Wednesday with a knee injury and was limited Thursday. Austin Hooper and rookie CJ Dippre are next in line for tight end snaps.

• Diggs might not play the full game, but he’s just 30 yards away from a 1,000-yard campaign. If he can achieve it, that would be his seventh 1,000-yard season.

• Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is 63 yards away from a career-high. Running back TreVeyon Henderson would need some big runs, but he’s 142 rushing yards away from 1,000.

• The Patriots’ defense has begun to figure out their issue at generating turnovers. They forced two fumbles against the Ravens and picked off Jets quarterback Brady Cook. It would be encouraging to see that turnover streak continue this week against Dolphins rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers. Ewers was picked off twice in his first start in Week 16 but didn’t have any giveaways in Week 17. He fumbled once, but the ball went out of bounds. The Texas product was picked off 12 times last season in college.

• QB Drake Maye has a chance to solidify his MVP candidacy with another strong performance. Can he throw five touchdowns in 2.5 quarters again? Unlikely, but this is Maye’s last chance to beat out Matthew Stafford, who plays the Cardinals, for the postseason award.

• The Patriots’ run defense could be challenged by running back De’Von Achane and head coach Mike McDaniel. McDaniels is creative with his ground game, and Achane has had a monster season, rushing for 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns. Achane, who has home run potential, is a game-time decision, however. If there’s a world in which the Patriots lose, Achane would likely have to rush for multiple long scores. The Patriots’ run defense was better last week against the Jets, despite the fact that Williams and Spillane were still out. Let’s see if they can keep it rolling for another week.

• The Patriots are favored by 10.5 points. This is a tough game to predict, since we don’t know how long starters will remain in the game on either side. Let’s still pick the Patriots to win 28-17.