(Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire)
The New England Patriots don’t have much to play for in the final month of the season.
They’re 3-10, look abysmal on offense, and are in line for a top pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
The Patriots also face three potential playoff teams and a heated rival in their final four games this season.
So while wins are unlikely and wouldn’t even help the Patriots’ seasonal goals at this point, that doesn’t mean the team has nothing to play for, according to safety Jabrill Peppers.
“You have to build, you have to have some type of momentum, to see how you stack up against the best teams in the league,” Peppers said Friday, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “For your pride, for your character — you get paid to play football and produce. And you can ruin some people’s offseason as well; that’s definitely in the back of my mind.”
Jabrill Peppers, on motivation to finish strong: “You have to build, you have to have some type of momentum, to see how you stack up against the best teams in the league. For your pride, for your character — you get paid to play football and produce. And you can ruin some… pic.twitter.com/rArXQOfYvZ
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 15, 2023
That last part – about ruining someone’s offseason – is a big one considering who the Patriots play next.
New England plays the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets in the final four weeks of the season, and a win over either of the first three teams could hurt their respective playoff chances.
A win over the Jets is also always welcomed in New England.
Playing well down the stretch could change how the decision-makers on the team evaluate player and coach performances as well.
There are several big roster and staffing questions as New England heads into the offseason – answers to which might not come until the final game.
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