New England’s inactives are CB Christian Gonzalez (concussion), TE Hunter Henry (foot), RB JaMycal Hasty, G Lester Cotton, G Sidy Sow, and TE Mitchell Wilcox. The Patriots also placed S Jabrill Peppers (hamstring), WR Ja’Lynn Polk (shoulder), and C Ben Brown (concussion) on injured reserve on Saturday, making them ineligible to play. Of the roster additions on Saturday, CB Miles Battle, DE Truman Jones, LB Monty Rice, TE Jack Westover, and practice-squad elevation Alex Erickson are all active.

Starting on offense, all three quarterbacks, including rookie QB Joe Milton, are officially active. Typically, Milton is the emergency third quarterback. However, the sixth-rounder is on the game-day roster this week, meaning he can enter the game at any time. For those unfamiliar with the rule, the emergency quarterback can only enter the game if the two active quarterbacks are injured or disqualified from playing in the game. For example, starter Drake Maye and backup Jacoby Brissett would both have to be unavailable for Milton to play. On Sunday, Milton is fully active, so there’s a chance he could play in the season finale.

There are multiple factors that could lead to Milton receiving some playing time. First, there’s a conversation about injury risk to Maye, the future of the franchise, given that New England is not playing for a playoff berth. With a critical offseason in his development looming, the worst-case scenario would be that Maye suffers a significant injury that derails his offseason.

Second, the one thing on the line for the Patriots is the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. With a loss to Buffalo, New England would secure the top pick in next April’s draft. Although it’s not where the team wants to be, picking as high as possible while being in a position to trade the pick to the highest bidder would be hugely beneficial to the Pats rebuild. By limiting Maye’s workload, the team might believe it’s giving itself the best chance to land the first-overall pick.

Along with draft and injury considerations, Milton is also an intriguing asset. The rookie has spent his first year as primarily a scout-team quarterback and has received praise for his work on the show team, including being named a practice player of the week. During practice this week, Milton took first-team reps usually given to the backup quarterback for the first time this season, signaling that he’d have a role on Sunday.

Milton could be auditioning for a role as QB2 behind Maye, with Brissett an unrestricted free agent this offseason. On a cost-controlled contract, having two affordable and capable options at quarterback would benefit New England from a roster-building perspective. Based on comments from head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, the expectation is that Maye will start on Sunday. From this perspective, Milton could play a significant amount.

As for the quarterback’s supporting cast, captain Hunter Henry (foot) is officially inactive. It’s a bit surprising that Henry, who was listed as questionable, will sit out the finale. Henry finishes the year with career-highs in receptions (66) and receiving yards (674). The Pats leading receiver’s absence opens the door for seventh-rounder Jaheim Bell and 53-man roster addition Jack Westover to audition for roles in 2025.

At wide receiver, Polk’s disappointing season ends with the rookie on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury, finishing his first year with 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns. The hope was that Polk would make more of an instant impact as a second-round draft pick, but it didn’t come to fruition for the University of Washington product. Without Polk, New England’s active receivers are Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Javon Baker, and Erickson (punt returns).

OL – Lowe, Robinson, Strange, Onwenu, Jacobs, Wallace
WR – Boutte, Douglas, Bourne, Baker, Erickson
TE – Hooper, Bell, Wilcox
RB – Stevenson, Gibson, Jennings

Next, along the offensive line, the Patriots are expected to start the same line as last week: LT Vederian Lowe, LG Layden Robinson, C Cole Strange, RG Mike Onwenu, and RT Trey Jacobs. Hopefully, we’ll also see third-round rookie Ceadan Wallace eventually at right tackle. Above is a snapshot of the Patriots supporting cast around Maye and the QBs.

Moving over to the defense, New England will end its season without star CB Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez sustained a concussion early in the second quarter of last Sunday’s loss to the Chargers, ending a terrific second season. Gonzo finishes the year ranked seventh among qualified corners in passer rating into his coverage (69.3). Although he was snubbed from the Pro Bowl, the 2023 first-round pick has a good chance to be named an All-Pro this season.

Without their top cornerback, the Patriots will give opportunities to outside corners Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, and rookie Marcellas Dial Jr. Austin and Bolden were the primary replacements for Gonzalez when he exited the game last week. Austin, a second-year defender, has played well since returning from injury in Week 12. Over the last five games, Austin has allowed three catches for 26 yards with two pass breakups in man coverage. Bolden is also an intriguing size-speed prospect. The outside cornerback spot opposite Gonzalez is another potential need for the team this offseason. Filling it internally would be ideal.

Along with Gonzalez being inactive, the Patriots safety rotation will likely remain the same with captain Kyle Dugger, vet Jaylinn Hawkins, S/LB Marte Mapu, and undrafted rookie Dell Pettus in the mix. Mapu, who is back in the fold after being on an inactive streak in the middle of the season, has played better lately. As a former third-round pick, Mapu still has the potential to emerge as a contributor.

For Buffalo, the AFC East champs are locked into the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs. Bills star QB Josh Allen is expected to appear briefly to extend his consecutive starts streak, then pass the baton to backup Mitchell Trubisky, who will play most of the game. With nothing to play for, Buffalo will play a mix of starters and backups, but it’s important to remember that there are only 48 players on a game-day roster, so some Bills regulars will have to play.

As for New England, the only undecided factor is where it will pick in the 2025 first round. Again, a loss secures the No. 1 overall pick for the Patriots for the first time since 1993, while a win could see them fall as far as the fourth-overall selection. Fans might want the Pats to lose to clinch the first-overall pick, but it’s difficult to envision a scenario where the coaches and players participating in Sunday’s game actively tank. For better or worse, the Patriots plan on playing to win like it’s any other game. That said, seeing how the Pats divvy up snaps will be interesting. The Patriots don’t need to purposely tank, but they also don’t need to put their best foot forward to win Sunday’s game.

The Patriots host the Bills to wrap up the 2024 season at 1 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.