New England Patriots: 5 players with everything to prove Week 17
Here are five New England Patriots players with everything to prove in the season finale.
In what is unfamiliar territory for New England Patriots fans, Bill Belichick and crew is not entering Week 17 seeking to rest for the postseason or even play for playoff seeding.
Instead, the team is playing for draft position and to see what players are worth bringing back next season.
With a 6-9 record entering the final week of the season, the focus for the Patriots is to end the season on a winning note, although a loss could catapult them into a top 10 pick.
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But Belichick and the New England Patriots organization has not played with a losing attitude over the last two decades, so why start now? As great as a top 10 pick would be, the team needs to see what they have in a few of their younger players before approaching one of the more intriguing off seasons of the Bill Belichick tenure.
So, which players have everything to prove or perhaps loose in Week 17?
Let’s take a look.
Will Jarrett Stidham have an opportunity in 2021?
Bill Belichick has hinted at Cam Newton starting this Week 17 matchup against the New York Jets, which has a lot to say about his confidence in second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham.
With the quarterback position the biggest focus heading into the offseason, the New England Patriots simply have to see what they have in Stidham. Can he compete for the starting position or is he just a career backup?
The way he has been trending this season, even with the struggles of Newton, the answer appears to be the latter. Unless, of course, Stidham can show something in this final game.
Even if he doesn’t start, one has to imagine he will get in the game at some point. Unlike the last few times he was plucked into the game, Jarrett Stidham needs to get back in the good graces of the coaching staff with his arm and ability to make things happens on the field.
Perhaps his opportunity has already slipped away, but a strong performance in Week 17 may show another team he has potential.