With no opponent to prepare for this week, the Patriots are focused on tuning up a few areas of concern and have begun to take a look at each of the three teams they could be hosting next week.
The Patriots are set to take on the hard-nosed AFC North as well as the Atlanta Falcons and the rest of the NFC South. Additional games against Denver and Houston finish off a series of potential pitfalls in a schedule that features five 2012 playoff teams.
It is clear that Rob Gronkowski still has ground to cover before being declared fully back from his injury, but Sunday was the necessary first step toward restoring order and regaining a feeling of normalcy within the New England offense.
Assuming Ron Brace is not brought back, he will become the eighth player selected in the second round by Bill Belichick to not receive a second contract.
The Patriots say that they aren't going to hold back against the Dolphins on Sunday. Their hopes of earning a first-round playoff bye are in the hands of the Broncos and Texans, but for those scenarios to even matter the Pats have to win first.
New England's hopes for a first-round bye remain alive as the regular season comes to a close. All it needs to do is beat Miami and hope either Denver or Houston loses.
Patriots CB Aqib Talib split his time last week between standing on the sidelines and clutching at his injured hip while on the field. But now he says he's feeling better.
Rob Gronkowski just wants to get on the field and "put it on the line" for his teammates. He wants to catch passes, score touchdowns and celebrate with his guys after spiking the ball in the end zone. But before he can do that, he needs to receive medical clearance.
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski returned to practice Dec. 14, a little more than three weeks removed from a broken forearm suffered in Week 11, but it's yet to be determined if he will play Sunday against the Dolphins.
